Accounting for Real Estate Agencies & Agents
End-to-End Accounting, Trust Audits & Business Advisory for the Real Estate Industry
Real estate professionals face unique financial challenges — strict trust account compliance, complex commission structures, franchise obligations, and ever-changing ATO requirements. Whether you’re a solo agent, property manager, or managing a multi-office franchise, your accounting systems must keep up with the demands of your business.
At Bottrell Accountants & Tax Agents, we work with residential, commercial and strata real estate professionals to streamline operations, meet all compliance obligations, and maximise profitability. With over 20 years’ experience and offices in Newcastle, East Maitland, and Chatswood, we’re the trusted accounting partner for real estate agents across NSW.
Who We Help
- Licensed Real Estate Agents
- Agency Principals & Directors
- Buyers’ Agents & Property Advocates
- Property Managers
- Residential, Commercial & Strata Agencies
- Franchise & Boutique Real Estate Groups
Whether you’re just starting out, scaling fast or planning to exit, we tailor our service to fit your agency size, structure and strategy.
Why You Need a Specialist Real Estate Accountant
Accounting for the real estate industry is not the same as general small business accounting. You’re managing other people’s money (trusts), commissions, vendor-paid advertising, and tightly regulated payments. Getting it wrong can lead to penalties, cashflow issues or licence suspension.
Common industry-specific complexities:
- NSW Fair Trading compliance for Trust Accounts
- Annual Trust Account Audits
- Commission income (incl. split with sales reps or contractors)
- Franchise fees, marketing levies & licensing costs
- Capital gains tax (CGT) for sale of rent rolls or businesses
- Payroll for agents, admin staff & property managers
Services for Real Estate Professionals
Trust Account Audits – NSW Fair Trading Compliant
We are registered trust auditors, qualified to conduct your annual audit, identify risks, and lodge directly with NSW Fair Trading.
- Real Estate, Strata & Property Management Trust Audits
- Detailed reconciliation of receipts, payments, adjustments
- Review of internal controls, risk & breach prevention
- Lodgement support and advisory
Trust audit due dates aren’t flexible. We help you stay ahead of them.
Real Estate Tax Services
- Company, Trust, Partnership & Sole Trader Tax Returns
- BAS, GST & PAYG obligations
- Tax structuring for principals, agents & franchises
- Tax planning to manage commissions, asset sales, and profit distributions
- Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), Super & Payroll Tax Compliance
We’ll ensure your agency stays tax-compliant and tax-effective.
Bookkeeping for Real Estate Businesses
- Weekly, fortnightly or monthly bookkeeping
- Integration with PropertyMe, Console Cloud & CRM systems
- Commission tracking, splits & agent payouts
- Vendor-paid expense reconciliation
- Bank, credit card & trust account reconciliation
- Payroll, STP & super processing
We keep your books accurate, timely and ATO-ready.
Business Structuring & Asset Protection
We help you set up or restructure to:
- Minimise tax
- Protect personal assets
- Prepare for growth, sale or succession
Includes:
- Company, Trust & Hybrid Structures
- Franchise & multi-entity setups
- Partnership agreements
- Legal liaison to support execution
Business Planning & Coaching
Beyond compliance, we help you build a more profitable and sustainable real estate business.
- Quarterly or monthly coaching sessions
- Revenue & commission planning
- KPI setting & performance reviews
- Budgeting & cashflow forecasting
- Team incentive plans
- Succession & exit strategies
Real Estate Tech & Software Support
We help integrate and streamline your business systems:
- PropertyMe
- Console Cloud
- VaultRE
- Rex CRM
- CampaignTrack
- Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks
Why Bottrell for Real Estate Accounting?
Trusted by real estate professionals across NSW for 20+ years
Chartered Accountants, Tax Agents & Registered Trust Auditors
Industry expertise in compliance, growth & structuring
Tailored, fixed-fee service options
Offices in Newcastle, East Maitland & Chatswood
Our Maitland Office
– Visit Us
Bottrell Accountants, Tax Agents & Financial Planners – Maitland:
- Office: 93 Lawes St, East Maitland, NSW, 2323
- Phone: (02) 4933 6888
- Email: maitland@bottrellaccounting.com.au
- Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30am–5:30pm | Saturday 9am–2pm
Maitland Location
Our Newcastle Office
– Visit Us
Bottrell Accountants, Tax Agents & Financial Planners – Maitland:
- Office: 45 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
- Phone: 0249336888
- Email: newcastle@bottrellaccounting.com.au
- Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30am–5:30pm | Saturday 9am–2pm
Newcastle Location
Our Chatswood Office
– (By Appointment)
Bottrell Accountants, Tax Agents & Financial Planners – Maitland:
- Office: Tower A, Level 20, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067
- Phone: 0249336888
- Email: chatswood@bottrellaccounting.com.au
Chatswood Location
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Book Your Discovery Call
Ready to simplify your agency’s accounting and compliance? Let’s get started.
Or call our team on (02) 4933 6888
