Accountant & CFO Loans
An accountant LMI waiver can reduce the upfront cost of buying with a smaller deposit, where the lender's professional policy applies. Your membership and current work matter alongside the property and financial assessment. A CFO title alone does not establish accounting eligibility, so check your professional designation before comparing concessions or planning around a particular deposit amount.
LMI means lenders mortgage insurance. It protects the lender; a waiver removes the borrower’s premium under the applicable policy.
The key points
- Professional bodies and accepted membership categories differ between lenders.
- A CFO title alone does not establish professional waiver eligibility.
- Business ownership changes the income evidence you may need.
Match your current membership to the policy
ANZ's published guide lists current eligible membership through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, including Global Accounting Alliance members; CPA, including recognised partner bodies; the CFA Institute; or Fellowship of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Evidence can be a paid membership invoice, online confirmation or current-year certificate. Confirm acceptance of your exact overseas body and membership grade.
NAB separately requires practising finance professionals with current registered membership. Its accountant list includes CA ANZ, CPA and the Institute of Public Accountants. CPA Australia distinguishes Associate, CPA and Fellow grades; an Associate membership should not be assumed equivalent to a CPA designation for lending.
Sources: ANZ: accountant LMI waiver guide; NAB: professional LMI waiver eligibility; CPA Australia: membership types.
Understand the loan conditions
Public information checked on 5 October 2026 includes ANZ's example of up to 90% LVR without a minimum income threshold for eligible principal-and-interest lending. Standard limits are $4.5 million per loan and $8 million total ANZ home lending. Property-value limits and postcode exceptions also apply; the applicant needs the largest or equal-largest ownership share. ANZ Plus is excluded.
Westpac publishes accounting eligibility up to 90% LVR, subject to accreditation, income and other requirements. Its public summary leaves the accounting income threshold unspecified.
Sources: ANZ: accountant LMI waiver guide; Westpac: public broker lending policies.
Explain your salary, practice or ownership structure
A salaried CFO and a practice owner can have very different applications. Separate salary from business distributions and describe any shareholding or partnership interest. The lender needs to understand which entity produces the income and what documents support it.
ANZ's business-owner guidance ties tax returns and financial statements to the applicant's business structure. It also describes a conditional streamlined pathway for company directors/shareholders receiving regular wages. Neither professional membership nor a payslip automatically settles which assessment pathway applies.
Sources: ANZ: home loans for business owners.
Check the benefit against the whole loan
Compare the repayment amount, ongoing fees, interest rate and useful features over an equivalent loan term. Keep purchase expenses and working capital needs visible when deciding how much cash to contribute. Before applying, have the lender confirm the membership evidence and property conditions together; qualifying professionally does not itself establish that the proposed loan is affordable.
Sources: ANZ: accountant LMI waiver guide; Moneysmart: choosing a home loan.
Frequently asked questions
Does every CFO qualify for an accountant LMI waiver?
No. The lender must accept the person's professional credentials and circumstances. Seniority or a finance-related job title alone is insufficient.
Is IPA membership accepted everywhere?
No. NAB lists IPA for accountants; ANZ's cited guide lists different bodies. Check the lender rather than assuming a shared industry standard.
Does the waiver remove the income assessment?
No. You still need to satisfy credit requirements and demonstrate that the loan repayments fit your verified financial position.
Sources & further reading
Official guidance and lender information used in preparing this guide. Policies can change; confirm the current rules before making a decision.
- ANZ: accountant LMI waiver guide
- NAB: professional LMI waiver eligibility
- CPA Australia: membership types
- ANZ: home loans for business owners
- Westpac: public broker lending policies
- Moneysmart: choosing a home loan
General information only, not personal credit, legal or tax advice. Loan availability, fees and terms depend on your circumstances and the lender’s assessment. Approval is not guaranteed.