Car Finance · Income Documentation · 2026

Payslip for Car Loan Australia: What Lenders Need (2026)

PAYG · Casual · Sole Trader · Contractor · ABN · Dealership Finance · Plenti · Pepper Money · Money3 · Latitude — complete income document guide

Written by Jordan Carmichael

Senior Auto Finance & Payroll Documentation Analyst · OfficeDraft

Reviewed by Priya Nandlal

Accredited Finance Broker · 10 years vehicle & equipment lending (bank + non-bank)

Published: Jan 2026

Last reviewed: 30 May 2026

2 payslips (PAYG standard)Plenti · Money3 · Latitude · PepperSole trader & ABN rulesFree readiness checkerLender-ready doc packDealership vs bank guide

Getting a payslip for a car loan in Australia sorted before you apply can mean the difference between same-day approval and a week-long documentation chase. Car finance lenders — whether a bank, a dealership finance provider, or a specialist non-bank lender — must verify your income under Australia's National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act). Payslips are their primary verification tool, and the requirements differ based on your employment type and the lender you choose.

This guide — written by an auto finance documentation analyst and reviewed by an accredited finance broker with a decade of vehicle lending experience — covers every scenario: permanent PAYG, casual, sole trader, contractor, and ABN worker. It includes an interactive finance readiness checker, a downloadable document checklist, and a lender comparison database covering Plenti, Money3, Latitude Financial Services, and Pepper Money.

2

Payslips (PAYG minimum)

Most recent consecutive

3 mo

Casual minimum

6 months preferred

Alt-doc

Sole trader option

Tax returns or bank stmts

Responsible lending obligation: Under the NCCP Act, every Australian car finance provider must make reasonable enquiries to verify your income and assess whether the loan is unsuitable for you. Payslips and income documents satisfy this obligation — they are verified, not just filed.

How Many Payslips for a Car Loan? (By Employment Type)

The number of payslips required for a car loan in Australia depends on your employment type. Below is the standard requirement across major Australian car finance providers, with the critical supporting documents for each scenario:

Permanent full-time (PAYG)

Low complexity

Primary documents

  • 2 most recent consecutive payslips
  • Driver's licence (valid Australian)

Supporting documents

  • 3 months bank statements
  • Group certificate or ATO income statement
The fastest car loan assessment path. Ensure YTD income on payslips is consistent with your stated annual salary on the application.

Casual employee

Medium complexity

Primary documents

  • 3+ months of payslips (consecutive)
  • Driver's licence

Supporting documents

  • 3–6 months bank statements
  • Employer letter confirming ongoing engagement (strongly recommended)
Lenders average casual income across submitted payslips. One low-income payslip reduces your assessed income. Submit the most recent 3 months minimum — 6 months is stronger.

Sole trader / ABN holder

Medium–High complexity

Primary documents

  • 2 years personal tax returns
  • 2 years ATO Notices of Assessment (NOA)
  • Driver's licence

Supporting documents

  • 6 months business bank statements
  • BAS statements (last 4 quarters)
  • Income summary (OfficeDraft generated)
Non-bank lenders (Pepper Money, Money3) are significantly more flexible for sole traders than banks. Tax minimisation that reduces declared income reduces your borrowing capacity — discuss with your accountant before applying.

Contractor / ABN worker

Medium–High complexity

Primary documents

  • Current client contract (showing day rate + duration)
  • Income statements / invoices for last 12 months
  • Driver's licence

Supporting documents

  • 6 months business bank statements
  • 1–2 years personal tax returns
  • ATO NOA
A current client contract showing your rate and expected contract duration is the closest equivalent to an employment contract. Without it, lenders treat income as uncertain.

Self-employed (company director)

High complexity

Primary documents

  • 2 years personal AND company tax returns
  • 2 years ATO NOA
  • Driver's licence

Supporting documents

  • Business financial statements (P&L + balance sheet)
  • Accountant's letter
  • 6–12 months business bank statements
Company directors are assessed on personal taxable income (salary + dividends), not company revenue. An accountant's letter explaining your income structure significantly strengthens the application.
Critical rule: Payslips must be consecutive and dated within the last 90 days. A gap between payslip dates triggers a mandatory explanation request — which delays approval. If you are between jobs or recently started a new role, see the dealership finance section below for more flexible options.

What Information Must Be Visible on a Payslip for Car Finance?

Per the Fair Work Ombudsman's mandatory payslip requirements, every Australian payslip must include specific fields. Car finance lenders verify each one during document assessment. Check your payslips against this list before submitting:

#FieldLevelWhy lenders check it
1Employer full legal nameRequired!Must match ABN registration on abr.business.gov.au
2Employer ABNRequired!Active ABN verified by lender at assessment
3Employee full legal nameRequired!Must exactly match driver's licence and loan application
4Pay period start & end datesRequired!Consecutive — gaps between payslips trigger extra checks
5Pay frequencyRequired!Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly — used to annualise income
6Gross income (this period)Required!Primary figure used in lender serviceability calculation
7Year-to-date (YTD) grossRequired!Cross-checked: YTD ÷ periods = consistent period gross
8PAYG tax withheldRequired!Zero tax on full salary is a red flag — triggers inquiry
9Net pay (take-home)Required!Cross-referenced against bank statement salary credits
10Superannuation contributionsRequired by Fair Work Act — confirms legitimate employment
11Employer contact detailsUsed for employer phone verification by some lenders
Fields in red are mandatory. A payslip missing employer ABN or YTD gross income will be rejected at document verification regardless of income level. Generate a compliant payslip at OfficeDraft's Australian Payslip Generator.

Payslips for Dealership Finance Applications

Dealership finance is arranged by the car dealer on your behalf through a finance company (commonly Latitude, Plenti, or Pepper Money). The income documentation requirements are set by the finance company, not the dealership — but the process is typically faster than applying directly to a bank.

Speed advantage

Dealership finance assessments typically complete in 24–48 hours. The dealer submits your application directly to the lender's system — faster than a bank branch or phone application.

Standard payslip requirement

2 most recent payslips for permanent PAYG employees. Casual employees: 3 months minimum. Self-employed: tax returns or alternative documentation depending on the finance company.

Vehicle as security

The vehicle itself is security for the loan — which makes car finance inherently lower risk than an unsecured personal loan. This is why income verification requirements are sometimes more flexible at specialist vehicle lenders.

Multi-lender comparison

A good dealer finance manager will submit your application to multiple lenders simultaneously and present the best approval. Ask specifically which lenders they use and whether alt-doc options are available for your income type.

Documents to bring

Driver's licence; 2 most recent payslips or alternative income docs; 3 months bank statements; proof of address (utility bill or lease); Medicare card (secondary ID for some lenders).

Rate transparency

Dealer commission on finance is legal in Australia but must be disclosed. Always compare the comparison rate, not just the advertised rate. The dealer's recommended lender may not be the cheapest — compare options.

Dealership Finance vs Bank Car Loan — Key Differences

FeatureDealer / Non-bankBank direct
Standard payslips required2 (flexible)2 (standard)
Self-employed incomeFlexible (alt-doc options)Strict (2 yrs tax returns)
Casual income acceptedYes (3+ months)Yes (3–6 months minimum)
Assessment speed24–48 hours3–5 business days
ABN holder optionsYes (specialist products)Limited
Credit-impaired applicantsSome lenders (Money3, Pepper)Generally no
Rate competitivenessVariable (compare carefully)Often lower for PAYG

Payslips for Bank Car Loans

The four major Australian banks — CBA, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac — offer car loans through their personal loan products. Their income verification standards are largely consistent with their home loan standards, governed by APRA's prudential framework.

Commonwealth Bank (CBA)

PAYG payslips

2 most recent payslips

Casual

3–6 months

Self-employed

2 years tax returns + NOA

CBA verifies employer ABN on the ATO Business Register at assessment. ABN-less payslips are rejected.

ANZ

PAYG payslips

2 most recent payslips

Casual

3–6 months (12 preferred)

Self-employed

2 years tax returns + 2 years NOA

ANZ requires payslips and bank statements together — mismatch auto-triggers credit referral.

NAB

PAYG payslips

2 most recent payslips

Casual

3 months minimum

Self-employed

2 years individual + business tax returns

NAB does not accept handwritten payslips — must be generated by a registered payroll system.

Westpac

PAYG payslips

2 most recent payslips

Casual

3 months (6 preferred)

Self-employed

2 years tax returns + NOA + accountant letter

Westpac applies HEM (Household Expenditure Measure) benchmarks alongside payslip income verification.

When to choose a bank vs a non-bank lender: Bank car loans are better for permanent PAYG employees with strong credit — rates are typically lower. Non-bank lenders (Plenti, Pepper Money, Money3) are significantly better for casual income, self-employed borrowers, ABN holders, and those with credit history issues. A licensed finance broker can compare options across both bank and non-bank lenders at no cost to you.

Missing income documents?

Generate Your Car Loan Approval Pack

OfficeDraft generates lender-ready payslips with all required fields — employer ABN, YTD income, PAYG tax, gross and net pay, superannuation. Works for PAYG employees, sole traders, and contractors. Free preview. PDF from $4.99.

✓ Employer ABN included✓ YTD income shown✓ PAYG tax calculated✓ Superannuation included✓ PAYG, sole trader & contractor

Self-Employed Car Loan Applications

Self-employed Australians cannot provide standard PAYG payslips, but this does not prevent them from getting a car loan. Lenders have developed alternative income verification pathways — especially non-bank lenders who specialise in self-employed applicants. The key is knowing which documents substitute for payslips and which lenders accept them.

Tax returns (2 years) + ATO NOA

Essential

The primary income evidence for self-employed borrowers. Lenders calculate borrowing capacity from taxable income — not revenue. The ATO Notice of Assessment (NOA) is government-issued and cannot be fabricated, making it the most trusted self-employment income document.

How to get:Download from myGov → ATO → Tax → Lodgments → History. Request from your accountant if not yet lodged.
⚠️Tax minimisation that reduces taxable income to near zero will severely restrict your borrowing capacity, even if revenue is strong. Discuss with your accountant before applying.

Business bank statements (6–12 months)

Strong

Business and personal bank statements showing consistent income deposits. Non-bank lenders like Pepper Money offer "alt-doc" or "bank statement" assessment — using 12 months of bank transactions as the primary income evidence instead of tax returns.

How to get:Download official PDF statements from your business banking portal. Screenshots are not accepted by most lenders.

Accountant's letter

Very Strong

A signed letter on registered accountant's letterhead confirming current year income, business structure, and income sustainability. Must include the accountant's tax agent registration number. Dramatically strengthens any self-employed application.

How to get:Request from your CPA or CA. Must be on firm letterhead with tax agent registration number — generic emails are not accepted.

BAS statements (last 4 quarters)

Moderate

Business Activity Statements show quarterly GST turnover reported to the ATO. Used by some non-bank lenders as a proxy for current business trading when the most recent tax return is not yet available.

How to get:myGov → ATO → Business → Activity statements. Download last 4 quarters.
⚠️BAS shows gross revenue, not net income. Lenders apply deductions and add-backs — do not assume BAS turnover equals assessed income.

Income summary (OfficeDraft)

Moderate

For self-employed borrowers whose informal records need to be presented in a lender-ready format. An OfficeDraft income summary compiles gross income, deductions, and net earnings into a structured document that non-bank lenders accept alongside bank statements and tax returns.

How to get:Generate at OfficeDraft Sole Trader Income Record Generator — pairs with tax returns and bank statements.

Sole Trader and Contractor Income Verification for Car Finance

Sole traders and independent contractors represent the largest segment of self-employed Australians. Their car loan applications differ from company directors in one critical way: income flows directly to the individual rather than through a company structure — which simplifies income assessment for lenders, but still requires alternative documentation to PAYG payslips.

Sole trader income verification — ranked by lender preference

1

2 years tax returns + ATO NOA

Accepted by all lenders

Strongest
2

Accountant's letter (registered CPA/CA)

Multiplies strength of other documents

Very strong
3

12 months business bank statements

Pepper Money: accepted as primary alt-doc

Strong
4

BAS statements (4 quarters)

Supporting document — not standalone

Moderate
5

Income summary / earnings statement

OfficeDraft generated — pairs with bank stmts

Supplementary
6

ABN registration certificate

Confirms legitimate business entity

Supplementary
Contractor note: If you operate as a contractor with a current client contract, this contract is your equivalent of an employment offer letter — it shows the lender your rate, expected duration, and that you have active income. Include it with every application. For more detail, see the contractor proof of income guide.

Car Finance Lender Requirements: Plenti, Money3, Latitude & Pepper Money

Non-bank car finance providers are the dominant source of vehicle loans in Australia outside of the major banks. Below is a detailed breakdown of income document requirements from four major specialist lenders, based on their published guidelines as of May 2026.

Plenti

Non-bank / Fintech

Official site ↗

PAYG payslips

2 recent payslips

Self-employed income

2 years tax returns or 12 months business bank statements

Bank statements

3 months

Assessment turnaround

24–48 hours (online)

Best for

Strong for good-credit PAYG employees; online pre-approval available

Plenti uses open banking (with consent) to verify income from bank transactions — can reduce document requirements for eligible applicants
Casual and part-time income accepted with 3+ months payslips
ABN holders accepted with alternative documentation
Competitive rates for credit scores above 700

Money3

Specialist / Non-conforming

Official site ↗

PAYG payslips

1–2 payslips or 3 months bank statements

Self-employed income

3–6 months business bank statements (low-doc option available)

Bank statements

3–6 months

Assessment turnaround

1–3 business days

Best for

Specialist in non-conforming credit; approves applicants major lenders decline

Money3 specifically serves borrowers with credit impairment, Centrelink income, and non-standard employment
Lower documentation requirements than bank lenders — bank statements often accepted as primary income evidence
Centrelink income (Disability Support Pension, Age Pension) accepted as primary income
Higher interest rates than bank products — reflects higher-risk customer segment

Latitude Financial Services

Non-bank lender

Official site ↗

PAYG payslips

2 most recent payslips

Self-employed income

2 years tax returns + ATO NOA

Bank statements

3 months

Assessment turnaround

1–2 business days

Best for

Strong dealer network; available through Harvey Norman Finance

Latitude is available through both direct application and dealership channels
Requires payslips to show employer ABN — ABN is verified on the ATO Business Register
Self-employed applicants assessed on taxable income from last 2 years — tax minimisation reduces assessed income
Part-time and casual income accepted with 3 months of payslips showing consistent earnings

Pepper Money

Specialist non-bank

Official site ↗

PAYG payslips

2 recent payslips or 3 months bank statements

Self-employed income

12–24 months business bank statements OR 1–2 years tax returns

Bank statements

3–6 months

Assessment turnaround

24 hours (streamlined self-employed assessment)

Best for

Australia's leading specialist lender for self-employed and non-conforming applicants

Pepper Money's 'Pepper Edge' product is specifically designed for self-employed borrowers who cannot provide 2 years of tax returns
Alt-doc option: 12 months of business bank statements accepted as primary income evidence (bank statement income assessment)
Accepts ABN holders with as little as 12 months trading history — below the 2-year standard
Credit-impaired applicants considered — Pepper has a specific product for adverse credit history
Lender policies change. The requirements above reflect published policies as of May 2026. Interest rates, documentation requirements, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the lender or through an accredited finance broker before submitting an application.

Common Reasons Car Finance Applications Get Delayed

Most car finance delays are caused by preventable documentation issues. Knowing the common triggers and fixing them before submission can reduce your approval timeline from days to hours.

Missing employer ABN on payslip

Critical

The single most common cause of document rejection. Lenders verify ABN on the ATO Business Register — a payslip without an ABN cannot be cross-checked.

Fix:Use OfficeDraft to generate a compliant payslip with an active, verified ABN. Or request an updated payslip from your employer that includes the ABN.

Payslips not consecutive (gap in dates)

Critical

Lenders check that submitted payslip dates are consecutive — no gaps. A gap between pay periods triggers a request for all payslips covering the gap, which delays assessment.

Fix:Submit your most recent payslips in chronological order with no missing periods. If a gap exists, provide a written explanation (unpaid leave, new role, pay period change).

Net pay doesn't match bank statement

High

If your payslip net pay and bank deposit amounts differ — due to salary sacrifice, split-account payments, or timing — the lender flags the file for manual review.

Fix:Reconcile your last 3 payslips against bank statement credits before submitting. Write a brief explanation note for any discrepancy.

No YTD income shown

High

Year-to-date income is used to cross-check whether the gross per period figure is consistent with the annual income stated on the application. Missing YTD forces a manual calculation.

Fix:Ensure YTD gross income appears on every submitted payslip. OfficeDraft payslips include YTD by default.

Recently changed jobs (payslips from new employer only)

Medium

New employment is a risk signal for lenders — especially if you are still on probation. Less than 3 months of payslips from a new employer limits income evidence.

Fix:Include payslips from your previous employer if the new role tenure is under 3 months. Provide a signed employment contract confirming salary and permanent status.

Self-employed with no formal income records

High

Sole traders and ABN holders who have not maintained formal income records are unable to satisfy lender verification requirements — even if business revenue is strong.

Fix:Use OfficeDraft to generate a professional income summary or earnings statement. Pair with 6 months of business bank statements and your most recent ATO NOA.

Payslip appears unofficial or handwritten

Critical

Handwritten payslips and visually informal documents raise fraud flags. Most lenders — including all major banks — explicitly reject non-systematically generated payslips.

Fix:Generate professional, system-generated payslips through OfficeDraft. All OfficeDraft documents are formatted to lender standards.

Car Finance Readiness Checker

Answer three questions to see exactly which documents you need for your car loan application — and which documents you may be missing.

Car Finance Readiness Checker

Answer 3 questions → see your required documents and recommended lenders

Car Loan Payslip & Document Checklist

Check off each item before submitting your car finance application. Use the download button to save a PDF copy.

Car Loan Document Checklist

Check off each document as you gather it

0%

0/10 docs ready

Critical docs: 0/6
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Filter by employment type

Identity0/3
Valid Australian driver's licence (front & back)Required
Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement)Required
Medicare card or passport (secondary ID)
Income — PAYG0/4
Most recent payslip (includes employer ABN, YTD, gross, net)Required
2nd most recent payslip (consecutive — no gap)Required
Group certificate or ATO income statement (last financial year)
Employment contract (if started role within last 6 months)
Bank Statements0/1
3 months bank statements (personal account receiving salary)Required
Vehicle0/2
Vehicle quote or invoice from dealer / private sellerRequired
Registration certificate (for used vehicles)
⚠️ 6 critical documents still needed before you apply.

Requirements may vary by lender. Consult your lender or finance broker for confirmation.

Generate Your Car Loan Payslip & Income Documentation

If your current payslips are missing required fields — or you need professional income records as a sole trader, contractor, or ABN worker — OfficeDraft generates compliant documents for every employment type:

Important: OfficeDraft payslip generators are designed for legitimate payroll documentation — employees whose employers use informal payroll systems, sole traders, and contractors producing professional income records. Submitting falsified or inflated income documents in a car loan application constitutes loan fraud under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). Never misrepresent your income.

Generate a Lender-Ready Payslip

Free preview · All required fields · PDF from $4.99 · No signup

Company Details

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Loan Payslip Requirements Australia

How many payslips do I need for a car loan in Australia?
Most Australian car finance lenders require 2 most recent consecutive payslips for permanent PAYG employees. Casual employees typically need 3 months of payslips. Self-employed borrowers and sole traders require alternative income documentation — usually 2 years of tax returns plus ATO Notices of Assessment, or a lender-accepted income summary. Dealership finance and non-bank lenders like Plenti and Pepper Money are often more flexible than banks, with some accepting 1 payslip plus a bank statement.
Can a sole trader get a car loan in Australia?
Yes. Sole traders can get car loans in Australia, but standard PAYG payslips are not available to them. Acceptable income evidence typically includes: an ATO income summary or Notice of Assessment, 2 years of personal tax returns, 3–6 months of business bank statements, BAS statements, and/or a professionally prepared income summary. Non-bank lenders such as Pepper Money and Money3 are specifically structured to serve self-employed borrowers who cannot provide traditional payslips. OfficeDraft generates ATO-compliant income summaries for sole traders applying for vehicle finance.
What income documents do dealerships need for car finance?
Dealership finance (arranged through a dealer on behalf of finance companies like Latitude or Plenti) typically requires: 2 recent payslips; 3 months of bank statements; a valid Australian driver's licence; proof of address (utility bill or lease agreement); and for self-employed applicants, 2 years of tax returns or a business income summary. Dealership finance assessments are often faster than bank loans because the lender specialises in vehicle security, which reduces their perceived risk.
Can I get a car loan without payslips in Australia?
Yes, in several scenarios. Self-employed Australians, ABN holders, and contractors can substitute payslips with tax returns, bank statements, or an accountant-prepared income summary. Some non-bank lenders offer "low-doc" or "alt-doc" car loans that accept bank statements as primary income evidence. Centrelink recipients can in some cases use Centrelink income statements. However, zero-documentation loans carry higher interest rates. The strongest application combines multiple income documents even when payslips are not available.
Do car loan lenders verify payslips?
Yes. All regulated Australian credit providers must verify income under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act). Verification methods include: cross-referencing payslip net pay against bank statement credits; checking employer ABN on the ATO Business Register; calling the employer using the contact number on the payslip; and reviewing YTD income against stated annual salary. Submitting falsified or altered payslips constitutes loan fraud — a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
What payslip fields do car loan lenders check?
Car finance lenders verify: employer full name and ABN; employee legal name (must match ID); pay period start and end dates; pay frequency; gross income for the period; year-to-date (YTD) gross income; PAYG tax withheld; net pay (cross-checked against bank deposits); and superannuation contributions. A payslip missing employer ABN or YTD income will typically be rejected at document verification, regardless of the income level shown.
What is the difference between car loan payslip requirements at banks vs dealerships?
Bank car loans (through CBA, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) typically follow the same income verification standards as their personal loan products — 2 payslips minimum, with stricter assessment of casual and self-employed income. Dealership finance through non-bank lenders (Plenti, Latitude, Pepper Money, Money3) is often more flexible: faster assessment, lower documentation requirements for good-credit applicants, and specialist products for self-employed and ABN borrowers. Interest rates at non-bank lenders are sometimes higher, but approval rates for non-standard income are significantly better.
Can an ABN holder get car finance in Australia?
Yes. ABN holders — including sole traders, contractors, and freelancers — are eligible for car finance in Australia. The key difference is income documentation: instead of PAYG payslips, ABN holders provide tax returns, BAS statements, business bank statements, and/or a professionally prepared income summary. Some lenders offer specific 'ABN car loans' with streamlined documentation for registered business owners. For vehicles used partly for business, a chattel mortgage or commercial hire purchase may offer tax advantages over a personal car loan — consult your accountant.

Get Your Car Finance Application Right the First Time

A payslip for a car loan in Australia needs 9 mandatory fields — from employer ABN to YTD gross income — all verified by the lender. For PAYG employees, that means 2 consecutive payslips. For sole traders and contractors, it means tax returns, bank statements, or a professionally prepared income summary. OfficeDraft generates lender-ready documents for every employment type, free to preview.

Employment typePrimary income docsBest lender type
Permanent PAYG2 payslipsBank or non-bank
Casual employee3–6 months payslipsNon-bank (more flexible)
Sole trader / ABNTax returns + bank stmtsPepper Money / Money3
ContractorIncome records + contractNon-bank specialist
Self-employed co.2 yrs tax returns + NOASpecialist non-bank

Free preview · PDF from $4.99 · No signup · All employment types

About This Guide

Authors: Written by Jordan Carmichael (Senior Auto Finance & Payroll Documentation Analyst, OfficeDraft) and reviewed for accuracy by Priya Nandlal (Accredited Finance Broker, 10 years of vehicle and equipment finance across Australian bank and non-bank lenders). Both authors have direct professional experience with Australian vehicle finance income verification processes.

Sources: Responsible lending obligations from ASIC and MoneySmart; payslip field requirements from the Fair Work Ombudsman; ATO income documentation requirements from ato.gov.au; lender policies from Plenti, Money3, Latitude, and Pepper Money.

Update schedule: Reviewed quarterly. Lender policies are subject to change without notice. Information reflects published guidelines as of May 2026.

Disclaimer: General information only. Does not constitute financial or credit advice. Car finance eligibility varies by lender, product, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed finance broker for advice specific to your situation.

Last updated: 30 May 2026 · Reviewed by: Priya Nandlal, Accredited Finance Broker