Broker accounting series · Guide 1
Mortgage and finance broker
tax essentials.
Broker businesses have income and cost patterns that ordinary bookkeeping templates do not always explain well. Start with records that preserve the detail behind every net aggregator payment.
Start with the flow
Record the gross story,
not only the bank deposit.
Upfront commission, trail commission, bonuses and other receipts should be identified consistently. Aggregator statements may also contain fees, clawbacks, adjustments or offsets, so posting only the net bank receipt can conceal what actually happened.
GST treatment depends on the supply and arrangement. Reconcile aggregator statements, invoices, GST reports and bank receipts instead of relying on a single description or default tax code.
Income
Separate upfront, trail, bonuses and other income so movements can be reviewed and explained.
Costs
Track aggregator fees, licensing and compliance costs, software, marketing, professional fees and substantiated business expenses.
People
Review employee, contractor, PAYG and super obligations based on the actual working arrangement—not the label alone.
General information only
Turn your records into
a practical next step.
The correct treatment depends on your contracts, structure and circumstances. Demeter can review your records and scope specific tax or accounting advice.