Business loans for accounting firms

Ardent Capital Group brings the same method to every client: execution and strategy, clear advice for smart lending, and long-term growth. That means the right lender, structure and timing, straight advice so you borrow with confidence, and today's deal built toward where you want to be tomorrow. We are specialists in helping business owners secure finance to purchase their own property, and we understand the complex structures that often sit around it, including multiple trusts, holding companies and self-managed super funds. Through that work we also understand what the business needs from its cash flow, and where an overdraft or line of credit fits for working capital. For an accounting firm, where most of the value sits in recurring fees rather than hard assets, that means lenders across our panel of more than 60 who read the practice on how it actually trades, not on property alone. We stay alongside the firm well beyond settlement as it grows. Every figure is subject to serviceability, lender appetite and approval.

It depends on how quickly you need it and what you are willing to offer as security. Unsecured facilities are assessed mainly on trading strength and can be arranged in days, which suits a limit of $100K to $500K. Secured facilities, backed by property or plant, support larger amounts and price better, and make sense once you are funding a major purchase or an acquisition. Most established operators end up with a mix, and we shape which sits where.

It depends on your trading, your structure and the purpose, but lending here commonly runs from $100K to well into seven figures, and our range extends to $100M for larger operators. Lenders that understand professional services will lend against a recurring fee base and cash flow, which is why firms with no property often borrow more than they expect. The binding constraint is usually serviceability rather than security, and we shape the funding early so you know your number before you commit.

Yes, and the equipment can usually be secured against itself rather than your home. Workstations, joinery and meeting rooms and servers, laptops and monitors can all be funded, often as one package with the works. Terms are typically matched to the life of the asset, and established businesses can often be assessed on bank statements and BAS rather than full financials. Dealer and manufacturer finance programs are available too, and we compare them against a bank facility.

Yes, and it is the most common reason accountants come to us. A fee base is an income-producing asset, and lenders that understand professional services will lend against recurring fees and cash flow rather than requiring property, often at a multiple of the fees being acquired. Retention terms in the sale contract matter to the lender, so bring us the deal early. We shape the funding around the price, the retention clawback and any equity available, subject to serviceability and approval.

No. Plenty of operators fund growth without touching the family home, either through unsecured facilities assessed on trading, or by securing against the equipment being purchased. Property security widens the range of lenders and structures open to you, so it is worth considering once you are borrowing well into seven figures. The choice is yours, and we will show you what each option costs before you commit.

An unsecured facility can often be approved within 48 hours and funded inside a week where the business is established and the BAS and bank statements are current. Secured facilities take longer, typically two to four weeks, because a valuation is involved. The practical advice is to open the limit before you need it, ideally when you are planning the spend rather than when the invoice is already due. Timeframes are indicative and subject to lender appetite and approval.

Yes. Many lenders assess established businesses on 6 to 12 months of bank statements and recent BAS rather than full year-end financials, which suits operators whose accounts lag the current run rate. It works best where the trading account shows regular receipts and the ATO position is current. If you have a payment plan in place, say so early, because several lenders will still proceed when it is disclosed and being met.

Yes, and it is a commercial property deal rather than a working capital one. Firms buying their own floor frequently access owner-occupier terms a general business would not, because lenders read recurring fee income as stable. Owning the floor also takes a rent review out of your cost base in a business whose main expense is people. Our commercial property team handles these end to end through our professional services office property finance service.

Yes, and a buy-in is usually funded on the fee base rather than on the partner's own balance sheet. Lenders that recognise professional services will lend against your share of recurring fees and the firm's cash flow, which is what makes a buy-in achievable before you have accumulated equity. Personal guarantees normally form part of the structure. Bring us the partnership terms early and we will shape the funding around them, subject to serviceability and approval.

Most of the time, no. We are paid a commission by the lender once your facility settles. Where a deal requires significant preparation or involves unusual complexity, a small mandate fee may apply. We will always be upfront about this before any work begins.

Although we are based in Sydney, we service clients across all major Australian cities, including Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart, along with their surrounding regional areas. Wherever your business is located, we can arrange your finance.

Although our main speciality is property loans for business owners, such as an office property loan for your accounting firm, we also assist with office fit-out finance for accountants and working capital. On asset finance, that covers office fit-out, IT hardware and commercial vehicles. On working capital, we arrange business overdrafts, lines of credit and cash-flow funding. We also arrange commercial mortgages if you are buying or refinancing your office.