Professions / Accountants

Accountants understand numbers better than anyone. Here is the one that matters most: what you are actually entitled to borrow.

Key Takeaway

Accountants with CPA, CA or IPA membership may qualify for LMI waivers with certain lenders. Trust, company and self-employed income all require specific documentation and lender selection.

This Page Is For

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PAYG accountants checking LMI waiver eligibility with CPA or CA membership

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Self-employed accountants needing lenders experienced with trust or company income

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Accountants with trust distributions wanting to understand income assessment

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Accountant investors with complex income building a property portfolio

What To Prepare Before Speaking With Us

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CPA, CA or IPA membership certificate

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Most recent payslips (PAYG) or two years tax returns (self-employed)

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Two years of business financial statements

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BAS statements for the last four quarters

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Trust deed and financials if trust income is to be included

Quick Answer

Accountants may qualify for LMI waivers with CPA, CA or IPA membership. Trust income, company income and self-employed income all require specific documentation and lender selection.

PAYG vs Self-Employed Income

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PAYG: payslips, employment contract, tax returns

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Trust income: trust deed + 2 years financials

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BAS statements for GST-registered businesses

Accountants in PAYG employment are assessed straightforwardly. Accountants who own a practice, operate as contractors or receive income through a trust or company face a more complex assessment.

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Self-employed: 2 years tax returns + financials

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Company income: company financials + tax returns

Trust & Company Income

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2 years of trust financial statements

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Consistent distribution history preferred

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Accountant add-backs to taxable income

Trust distributions and company income require documentation that many lenders handle differently. The right lender can make a major difference to how much income is counted toward borrowing capacity.

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Trust deed may be required

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Company financials and tax returns required

Accountant LMI Waivers

Some lenders offer LMI waiver policies for accountants holding CPA, CA or IPA membership. Eligibility depends on membership, income level, LVR and the specific lender policy.

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CPA, CA or IPA membership typically required

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LVR threshold varies — commonly 85–90%

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Self-employed eligibility varies significantly by lender

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Income minimum may apply by lender

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PAYG employment generally broader eligibility

Investment Lending For Accountants

Accountants with a clear understanding of tax and structure are well-placed to build a property portfolio, but lending assessment still depends on income structure, business debts and lender policy.

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Trust or company income adds complexity

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Loan purpose clarity is essential for tax

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Future borrowing capacity planning is important

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Business liabilities affect personal capacity

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Interest-only may suit some investment strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

Do accountants need 2 years of tax returns?

Self-employed accountants typically need 2 years. PAYG accountants follow standard income documentation requirements.

Some lenders accept trust distributions as income. 2 years of trust financials and consistent distribution history are typically needed.

Some lenders offer LMI waivers for CPA/CA/IPA members. Eligibility depends on membership, income, LVR and lender policy.

Lenders typically add back depreciation and some non-cash deductions to taxable income. The method varies by lender.

It can. Director fees, company debts and guarantee obligations may all affect how a lender assesses your application.

Book An Accountant Lending Review

We assess PAYG, self-employed, trust and company income alongside LMI waiver eligibility for accountants.

General information only. Lending eligibility, LMI waiver policies, rates and approval outcomes vary by lender and are subject to assessment.

Common Mistakes Accountants Make Before Applying

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Assuming all lenders recognise IPA membership for LMI waiver purposes

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Applying to a lender that does not have experience with trust or company income

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Not having two years of business financials ready

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Not having CPA/CA/IPA membership certificate available

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Not accounting for how business debts reduce personal borrowing capacity

Documents Accountants Should Prepare

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CPA/CA/IPA membership certificate

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Most recent payslips (PAYG)

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2 years personal tax returns

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2 years business financial statements

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BAS statements (last 4 quarters)

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Trust deed if applicable

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Company ASIC extract

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Business bank statements

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Existing loan and liability statements

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Identification documents