Policy Knowledge
I've written credit policies and know exactly what triggers referrals, escalations, and declines.
Business Finance
Professional Services Finance
Specialised funding for accounting firms, legal practices, real estate agencies, and finance brokerages. From $5K working capital to multi-million dollar practice acquisitions.
$5K+
Facilities From
60+
Lender Panel
13
Years in Finance
Focus Sectors
Accounting & Financial Planning
Practice acquisitions & partner buyouts
Real Estate / Rent Roll
Rent roll acquisitions & agency growth
Legal Services
Practice funding & WIP finance
Finance Broking
Trail book & aggregator finance
Why MFA
The Insider Advantage
13 years in finance, including commercial banking at NAB, ANZ and Westpac, means I know exactly how banks assess professional services businesses.
Application Packaging
Your application arrives at credit looking exactly like an internal banker prepared it.
Speed to Decision
Pre-empting credit queries means faster decisions and fewer back-and-forth requests.
Lender Matching
60+ lenders with different appetites. I match your business to the best fit.
Facility Types
Funding Solutions
Common facility structures for professional services businesses.
Working Capital
Annually renewable facilities for WIP and debtor financing to manage cash flow cycles.
- WIP & debtor financing
- Annual review cycle
- Flexible draw-down
Acquisition Finance
Term loans for practice acquisitions, client book purchases, and business growth.
- Practice acquisitions
- Client book purchases
- Amortising structure
Partner Capital Loans
Finance equity capital contributions for new or existing partners joining the firm.
- Equity contributions
- Partner buyouts
- Up to 10 year terms
Equipment & Fit-Out
Finance for office fit-outs, technology upgrades, and specialist equipment needs.
- Office refurbishments
- IT & technology
- Tax-effective structures
Credit Parameters
Understanding Bank Appetite
Major banks have specific credit policies for professional services. Here's what they typically look for.
Indicative Credit Appetite by Sector
General guidance on typical lender parameters
| Sub-Sector | Leverage (Debt/EBITDA) | LVR | Min. ICR | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting & Financial Planning | ≤3.0x | — | ≥2.5x | Standard |
| Accounting & Financial Planning | 3.0x – ≤3.5x | — | ≥3.0x | Extended |
| Real Estate / Rent Roll | — | ≤70% Rent Roll | ≥2.5x | Standard |
| Real Estate / Rent Roll | — | 70% – ≤80% | ≥3.0x | Extended |
| Legal Services | ≤2.5x | — | ≥2.5x | Standard |
| Legal Services | 2.5x – ≤3.0x | — | ≥3.0x | Extended |
| Finance Broking (Aggregated) | ≤3.0x | — | ≥2.5x | Standard |
| Legal – Personal Injury | Specialist assessment required | Limited | ||
Accounting & Financial Planning Standard
Leverage≤3.0x
LVR—
Min. ICR≥2.5x
Accounting & Financial Planning Extended
Leverage3.0x – ≤3.5x
LVR—
Min. ICR≥3.0x
Real Estate / Rent Roll Standard
Leverage—
LVR≤70% Rent Roll
Min. ICR≥2.5x
Real Estate / Rent Roll Extended
Leverage—
LVR70% – ≤80%
Min. ICR≥3.0x
Legal Services Standard
Leverage≤2.5x
LVR—
Min. ICR≥2.5x
Legal Services Extended
Leverage2.5x – ≤3.0x
LVR—
Min. ICR≥3.0x
Finance Broking (Aggregated) Standard
Leverage≤3.0x
LVR—
Min. ICR≥2.5x
Legal – Personal Injury Limited
AssessmentSpecialist assessment required
Important: The parameters shown are indicative only and represent general market observations. They do not constitute financial advice, a credit offer, or guarantee of approval. Actual lending criteria vary significantly between lenders and are subject to individual assessment. Terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Contact us to discuss your specific circumstances.
Definitions: EBITDA = Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation. ICR = Interest Cover Ratio. LVR = Loan to Value Ratio. EBITAPR calculations for professional services include adjustments for equity partner remuneration.
Credit Assessment
What Banks Really Look At
The key factors that drive credit decisions for professional services lending.
Revenue Composition
- Recurring vs cyclical revenue streams
- Revenue (and profit) per partner
- Fee generation method and collection timing
- Client concentration and diversification
Management & Succession
- Partner churn rates and ageing profile
- Succession planning strategies in place
- Key person risk and insurance
- Ability to attract and retain skilled staff
Financial Factors
- WIP to debtor conversion rates
- Collection rates vs industry peers
- Fixed vs variable cost structure
- Equity capital profile (net of PCL)
Growth & Risk
- Organic vs acquisition growth strategy
- Exit strategy and timeframe
- Professional accreditation compliance
- Professional indemnity insurance adequacy
Ready to Discuss Your Funding?
Whether you're acquiring a practice, buying out a partner, or need working capital—let's talk strategy before you talk to your bank.