Accountant letters

Please see the joint accounting bodies open letter to lenders attached OpenLetter.pdf

Our office no longer issues

  • Accountant letters
  • Accountant declarations or
  • Accountant’s “capacity to repay” certificates

in regards to the client’s ability to perform any obligations to existing, and future

  • lenders,
  • lessors / landlords,
  • vendors / suppliers

It has been assessed by our professional association, CPA Australia, along with the other two Australian accounting bodies (IPA, and CA ANZ), that it is an unreasonable risk to Accountant practices and contrary to our professional association’s regulations (CPA Australia).

An ‘accountant’s letter’ is a document prepared by an accountant at the request of their client for a bank, lender, or another party for the purposes of approving a loan, lease or rental agreement for a client.  Accountant’s letters are also commonly referred to as ’accountant’s declarations’ or ’capacity to repay’ certificates.

CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) joint position on accountant’s letters is such requests should be declined, because the credit assessment is the responsibility of the lender. The lender has specific obligations under their credit license when making such assessments.

Further, an accountant’s letter cannot be provided in connection to a credit contract regulated by the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 unless [the accountant is] appropriately licensed under an Australian Credit license – 

https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/financial-planning/accountants-letters

Any specific request or provided template [from the lender/broker] will have been designed to meet the lender’s needs and risk management approach – not necessarily [the accountant’s needs and risk management approach]. – 

page 5 of the CA ANZ MASTER.PDF

Our members can assist in the lending process by providing factually verified information, with the consent of their clients, such as prepared business financial statements, Business Activity Statements and completed Income Tax Assessments.

OpenLetter.pdf

Reference

https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/financial-planning/accountants-letters

https://teresatranassociates.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/36000453794