Business insurance
Insurance For Accounting Professionals
Insurance referral information for accounting professionals: cover questions, exclusions, state regulator links and a broker callback enquiry.
Business insurance
Insurance for Accounting Professionals
Insurance discussions for accounting professionals should start with the work actually performed: accounts preparation, assurance, tax work, payroll advice and any financial services you actually provide. These activities may create different responsibilities for your business, employees, customers and subcontractors. Have the insurer record the accepted activities rather than assuming the occupation name includes every service.
Put errors in reports, tax advice, client-money handling and the boundary between accounting and licensed financial advice on the quote checklist. Ask which policy section could respond, which exclusions still apply, and whether the limit is per claim, per item or shared across the policy period. A possible exposure is not a promise of available cover or an instruction to buy a particular product.
Before requesting a quote
Cover checklist for Accounting Professionals
This is a starting checklist for a conversation with a licensed broker. Your activities, contracts and state determine what applies; it is not a recommendation to buy every cover listed.
Tax and BAS practice
If you are a registered tax or BAS agent, check the Tax Practitioners Board’s current professional indemnity requirements for your registration and services. Bookkeeping, tax agent services and financial advice should not be treated as interchangeable activities. Keep evidence of the arrangement and review changes in service scope or turnover.
Policy areas to discuss
- Professional indemnity; tax, BAS and accounting service scope
- Cyber and crime; payroll authority, payment controls and client data
- Public liability and property; office visitors and practice assets
For this business, ask specifically about errors in reports, tax advice, client-money handling and the boundary between accounting and licensed financial advice. Bring engagement letters, fee income by service, professional registrations and any subcontracted accountants to the discussion.
General Australian business cover checklist
| Cover | Required or optional? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | May be required by occupation, state rules or a contract. | Describe work at customer sites and public access to your premises. Check exclusions and the limit your contract requires. |
| Workers compensation | Employer obligations depend on the state or territory. | Declare employees, wages and contractor arrangements. Ask the regulator which workers count; sole traders need separate protection for themselves. |
| Professional indemnity | Mandatory for some professions; otherwise depends on activities and contracts. | Disclose advice, designs and professional services. Ask about retroactive dates and cover after work finishes. |
| Product liability | Consider if you make, sell, supply or repair products. | Tell the broker about imports, installations and products supplied under your name. Check territorial and product exclusions. |
| Property and business interruption | Usually a business choice or a lender/lease condition. | Value stock, tools and equipment at the appropriate replacement basis. Check insured events, waiting periods and interruption limits. |
| Motor and compulsory injury cover | Compulsory injury cover depends on vehicle registration rules. | Confirm business use, drivers, vehicle modifications and goods carried. Compulsory injury cover does not replace vehicle property-damage cover. |
Premiums and appropriate cover limits depend on the activities and circumstances of each business. Give your broker your actual activities, turnover, payroll, claims history, locations and contract requirements so they can assess the quote.
Check your state or territory
Workers compensation rules and contractor treatment vary. Start with your regulator; confirm any occupational, building or licensing insurance separately before accepting work.
- NSW: SIRA
- VIC: WorkSafe Victoria
- QLD: WorkCover Queensland
- WA: WorkCover WA
- SA: ReturnToWorkSA
- TAS: WorkSafe Tasmania
- ACT: WorkSafe ACT
- NT: NT WorkSafe
Source and responsibility
Editorial contact: Louis Blythe, Editorial Team.
Checklist prepared from business.gov.au: Types of business insurance, checked on . These editorial source checks do not assess your individual insurance needs or constitute a licensed broker review.
Cockatoo is a referral service and does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence. Ask the provider for its identity, licence or authorisation details, fees and disclosure documents. An enquiry does not put insurance in place. Cockatoo may receive a referral fee or commission. Editorial standards · Report a correction.
How it works
How an insurance referral works
Tell us what you need
A few details about your business and the cover you need. Use the form to request a callback.
We match you
We pass on your enquiry so a broker can discuss your business activities and needs.
Review your options
Check the quote, exclusions and provider documents. Cover starts only when the provider confirms it.
Common questions
Accounting Professionals — insurance questions
What should I disclose about accounts preparation?
Accounts preparation, assurance, tax work, payroll advice and any financial services you actually provide. Explain which parts you perform yourself, which are subcontracted and whether you supply advice, goods or installation. Ask for written confirmation that the proposed business description matches those activities.
How should I check errors in reports in a quote?
Errors in reports, tax advice, client-money handling and the boundary between accounting and licensed financial advice need specific questions. Request the policy section, endorsement, excess and exclusions for the exposure. The cost of redoing your own work, damage to another item and a claim for professional advice may be treated differently.
What documents should accounting professionals prepare for a broker?
Prepare engagement letters, fee income by service, professional registrations and any subcontracted accountants. Add your current schedule, claims history, employee and contractor arrangements, and the actual renewal date. This lets the provider identify assumptions rather than quote from an unsupported industry-average premium.
Which local rules or contracts should this business check?
If you are a registered tax or BAS agent, check the Tax Practitioners Board’s current professional indemnity requirements for your registration and services. Bookkeeping, tax agent services and financial advice should not be treated as interchangeable activities. Keep evidence of the arrangement and review changes in service scope or turnover.
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