Crest Accountants Services

Asset Protection

Asset Protection Services

You’ve worked hard for your assets, but are they adequately protected?

Just like you insure your car, your home and your health, it’s important to protect your assets from unforeseen circumstances too. How? With the right strategy. With so many different strategies and options, asset protection can be complicated, but with the right professional to assist you, it doesn’t have to be.

Protect what you’ve worked so hard for

You’ve spent your life working hard to grow your wealth and assets, to give you and your family the life you deserve. What if that was all suddenly taken away? Don’t let that happen. Protect what you’ve worked so hard for with the right asset protection strategy.

How Crest Accountants can help

The best way to protect your assets? With asset protection advice from specialists, you can trust. With over 45 years’ experience in providing advice on asset protection, you can trust Crest Accountants. We take the complication out of asset protection and help put the right asset protection strategy in place, for you.

These services include:

News about Asset Protection

Asset Protection

Business Asset Protection. Have you Reviewed your Structure Recently?

Recently we have seen large Gold Coast construction companies go into liquidation. Some could consider these liquidations were out of their control due to the market-conditions, inflation, and lack of labour resources. Given the volatile market at present, it is crucial that you are proactive, review your entity structuring, balance sheets and liquidity and ensure […]

Asset Protection

Family Home in your Spouse’s Name? Why Landmark Case May Affect you

Asset protection is a key consideration when acquiring, structuring and maintaining your assets to ensure that your hard-earned assets are protected as much as possible from creditors. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of proactive advice surrounding acquisitions, legislative changes and changes in your state of affairs which means that your assets may be subject […]

Cryptocurrency

How to reduce tax on cryptocurrency in 5 simple steps

Cryptocurrency, commonly abbreviated to simply ‘crypto’ is defined as digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services, backed by strong cryptography to secure all online transactions. Since its inception in 2009, dozens of cryptocurrencies have emerged and many countries across the globe are trying to find ways to regulate such a decentralised […]

Asset Protection

What you need to know about Asset Protection Strategies

We protect ourselves and loved ones from the dangers of the world, but what about our money and assets? It’s becoming more important to find ways to protect assets – from business owners to property portfolio developers and individuals who want to ensure their family and own’s wealth. Want to know more about Asset Protection […]

SMSF

What You Need to Know about Outsourcing Self-Managed Super Funds

There’s many benefits behind having or starting a self-managed super fund (SMSF). These often revolve around the choice and flexibility of investment options, tax strategies, consolidation of assets and transparency. However, there are risks worth thinking about when it comes to SMSFs which concern their cost-efficiency, the time and effort it takes to maintain them […]

COVID-19

Reminder: QLD Coronavirus Land Tax Relief Closes 30 June 2020

Overview You may be eligible for one or more of the following land tax relief measures: a land tax rebate reducing land tax liabilities by 25% for eligible properties for the 2019-20 assessment year a waiver of the 2% land tax foreign surcharge for foreign entities for the 2019-20 assessment year a 3 month deferral […]

COVID-19

COVID-19: Monitoring the Gold Coast Property Market in 2020

The sandy beaches, sunshine and laid-back lifestyle has long made the Gold Coast a tourist hotspot and great place to live. At the start of the year, the forecast for the Gold Coast property market looked very positive. But as we’ve seen both nationally and internationally, predictions of economic strength and even life as we […]

Estate Planning

5 Reasons Estate Planning is so important

You’re young, so you probably don’t need a will or plan for your estate yet, right? Wrong. The sooner you get your estate plan in place, the sooner you can continue focusing on your life, building your career and spending quality time with your family, with the peace of mind you deserve. You may also […]

Asset Protection

Asset Protection and how an Accountant can help

You’ve worked hard for your assets; your home, business, cars, boat, shares and any other investments you may have, but are they adequately protected? Yes, you may have home and car insurance, but have you actually protected your wealth? These days, we have many things to worry about, and whilst we don’t want to add […]

Rental

Rental Properties and Deductions : What you need to know

Are you a property owner confused about what you can or can’t claim for your rental property? What you may not know, is that deductions are only viable during the time that you rented the property out or it was genuinely available to rent. Essentially, if the property is tenanted or if you’re actively seeking […]

Structure

The importance of Accounting Compliance for the Legal Community

As a law graduate commencing your brand-new career within the legal community, accounting services and compliance are likely the last things on your mind. But should they be on your mind? The answer is yes. Why? Because lawyers who develop a proactive and strategic approach to their accounting and overall finances are proven to be […]

Structure

Want to Grow your Business? How Structuring it the Right Way can Help

Do you want your business to grow? If you’re reading this blog, then the answer is likely yes. As a business owner, you know your service inside and out and you’ve likely built your business around your skills, abilities and vision. What you may not know, is that how you structure your business, can be […]

Frequently Asked Questions About Asset Protection

Does insurance cover all my asset protection needs?

No. Insurance is an important safety net but it has limits and won’t protect you from all creditor claims, business disputes, or personal liability arising from your commercial activities. A comprehensive asset protection strategy uses legal structures to create separation between your personal wealth and your business or investment risks so that not everything is on the line if something goes wrong.

How can I protect my personal assets as a business owner?

The most effective way is to ensure there is a legal separation between you personally and your business activities. Running a business through a company or trust structure can help shield your personal assets from business debts and liabilities. Sole traders have no such separation, meaning their personal assets are fully exposed. The right structure depends on your circumstances, which is why tailored advice matters.

Can I lose my family home if my business fails?

Potentially yes, if your assets are held in your personal name and you have personal liability for business debts or guarantees. Many Australian business owners are unaware of how exposed their family home can be until it is too late. Putting protective structures in place early, while you are solvent and no claim is on the horizon, is the most effective way to reduce this risk.

Should I use a company or a trust for asset protection?

Both offer protection but in different ways. A company provides a separate legal entity that limits personal liability for business debts, though directors can still be personally exposed in certain circumstances. A family discretionary trust generally offers stronger protection because trust assets are not legally owned by individual beneficiaries, making them harder for creditors to access. Many people use a combination of both.

When is the right time to review my asset protection strategy?

The right time is before you need it. Asset protection put in place after a claim arises can be unwound under the Bankruptcy Act for up to five years. You should also review your structure after major life or business changes such as taking on a business partner, signing personal guarantees, or when your business grows significantly in scale or complexity.

      
 4.8
 4.8
 Top Rated Service 
   Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Aaron Larkin 
 20 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. UPDATE - 1 September 2026 After my initial experience, Crest followed up and explained that my original email had unfortunately been caught by their spam filtering. They took the time to investigate what happened and get everything back on track. I have since met with Wesley, and the experience was excellent. He was straightforward, knowledgeable and refreshingly honest about what I actually need rather than trying to sell me services unnecessarily. He gave me practical advice around setting up my contracting business and was very generous with his time. I particularly appreciated Wesley’s practical and transparent approach. He focused on what would genuinely be useful for me rather than trying to push unnecessary services, and that level of honesty goes a long way. Overall, the initial communication issue was disappointing, but the way it was handled afterwards, particularly my experience with Wesley, has significantly changed my impression of Crest. Around a 4.5/5 experience overall and I would happily recommend Wesley. UPDATE – 21 August 2026 Crest Accountants have since contacted me and I now have a meeting booked with them for next Friday. My original review was based on having sent an email directly to their general info email address and receiving no response or acknowledgement for around three weeks. It appears there may have been an issue with my original enquiry reaching the right person, although I'm still not sure exactly what happened. Once contact was established, they got back to me promptly by phone and were helpful in arranging a meeting. I've updated my rating from 1 to 3 stars to reflect this and will update the review again after I've had the opportunity to meet with them and experience their service properly. ORIGINAL REVIEW Extremely disappointing experience with Crest Accountants. I contacted them three weeks ago and received absolutely no response — not even a basic acknowledgement that my email was received. I understand businesses get busy, but three weeks of complete silence from a professional accounting firm is simply poor customer service. If they were unable to assist, a short email saying so would have been perfectly acceptable. Based on my experience at the time, I couldn't recommend them to anyone looking for responsive or reliable communication.

Owner's reply
Hi Aaron, Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear about your experience. We take client service seriously and have reviewed our recent enquiry records. Based on the information available to us, we have not been able to identify an enquiry matching the details outlined in your review. It is possible there may have been a misunderstanding, or that an enquiry was submitted under a different name, such as by a spouse, partner or family member, in which case correspondence may have been sent to that individual. We would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to investigate this further and clarify what has occurred. Please contact our office on (07) 5538 0999 and leave your contact details, requesting that they be passed on to Nigel. I will personally review the matter and follow up with you directly. Kind regards, Crest Accountants
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Sarah Greenwold 
 70 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My partner and I moved from NZ to Aus and we were looking around for an accountant that would help my partner transition his business from a sole trader in NZ to now a company set up in Aus. We came across Crest Accountant's and honestly it’s been amazing. We have Sarah as my partners accountant and she is so awesome, so lovely and always helps, she explains things clearly to us and we are quite new to all the ‘accounting terms’ as such… But Crest accountants have made the transition so easy for us and as something we would think would be stressful, it hasn’t at all because they’ve been so helpful and onto it. If you are looking for an accountant, I can’t recommend Crest enough! We are so happy with our decision and will recommend them to anyone! Thank you Crest!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your kind words and for trusting Crest Accountants with your move from New Zealand to Australia. We're thrilled to hear Sarah helped make the transition from sole trader to company structure simple and stress-free. Providing clear accounting, tax and business advice for small business owners is what we're all about. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to supporting your business growth for years to come!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Ada Skopljak 
 82 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend Sarah Fleming from Crest Accountants highly enough. She has been absolutely fantastic throughout my accounting and tax matters. Sarah is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and thorough. She took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all of my questions with patience, and made what initially felt like a stressful situation much easier to understand and manage. Her attention to detail and genuine commitment to achieving the best outcome for her clients really stood out. I truly felt supported throughout the entire process, and it gave me great confidence knowing my finances were in such capable hands. If you’re looking for an accountant who is honest, reliable, approachable, and exceptionally good at what she does, I would highly recommend Sarah Fleming and the team at Crest Accountants. Thank you, Sarah, for all your hard work and outstanding service!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review, Ada. We’re delighted that Sarah made your tax and accounting matters feel clear and manageable — she genuinely cares about getting the best result for every client, and we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words. It’s a pleasure having you with Crest Accountants, and we’re always here whenever you need us.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Joanne Roberts 
 90 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently worked with Wesley on a mutual client's finance application and found him to be highly professional, responsive, and easy to work with. He was quick to provide the information required and helped ensure the process progressed smoothly from start to finish. It's always a pleasure working with professionals who are proactive and focused on achieving great outcomes for their clients. I would happily recommend Wesley and Crest Accountants team.

Owner's reply
Thank you, Joanne — it was a pleasure working alongside you. Wesley and the team really value collaborating with professionals who share our focus on great outcomes for clients, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   stefan kubler 
 161 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been dealing with the Crest Team for over a year now. I have found their knowledge with all aspects from Bookkeeping to Tax Guidance, ATO Regulations and obligations to be Over 100%. Very friendly and Helpful Team. Highly recommend their Services

Owner's reply
Thank you Stefan, for your kind review and for being a valued client of Crest Accountants. We’re glad you’ve found our support across bookkeeping, tax advice, and ATO compliance helpful. Providing clear, reliable guidance with a friendly and professional approach is important to us, and we appreciate your recommendation. We look forward to continuing to support you.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Valeria Davidov 
 161 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Craig Pearson has been my accountant for more than 6 years now and I can only say that he is highly professional.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your kind words and continued trust over the past 6+ years. Craig takes great pride in delivering a high level of professionalism and service, and feedback like yours is truly appreciated. We look forward to continuing to support you in the years ahead.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Stephen Childs 
 164 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Crest Accountants have provided great service towards our accounting needs for our family business and SMSF. A special mention to our personal accountant Nicole Amaya for all her support and direction over the years and we would certainly recommend Crest Accountants.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much Stephen, for your kind words and recommendation. We’re delighted to hear that Crest Accountants has been able to support your family business and SMSF over the years. We will certainly pass on your special mention to Nicole Amaya, who will be thrilled to know her guidance and support have made a positive difference. We truly appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to work with you into the future.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Serena Keeffe 
 164 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve had a great experience working with the Crest team. Their clarity in explaining financial matters makes everything easy to understand, even when things get complex. They consistently provide proactive advice that helps me stay ahead rather than just reacting at tax time, which has been incredibly valuable. What really stands out is their focus on long-term support—they genuinely care about helping you grow and make better financial decisions over time. A special mention to Ange, who is always so helpful, responsive, and approachable. She goes above and beyond to make sure everything runs smoothly and no question goes unanswered. Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable, forward-thinking accounting support.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review — we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We’re pleased to hear that our clear explanations and proactive advice have helped you stay ahead and feel confident with your financial decisions. Long‑term support is very important to us, so it’s great to know that’s come through in your experience. Your feedback will be shared with Ange as recognition of the care and dedication she brings to her work. Thank you again for your recommendation and for trusting Crest Accountants as your accounting partner.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Marco Ruas 
 165 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I couldn’t be happier with the service I’ve received from  Angela at Crest Accountants. She is  incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and always takes the time to explain things clearly so I feel confident about my finances. Her attention to detail and proactive approach has saved me both time and money, and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everything is handled perfectly. Communication is always prompt and friendly, and nothing ever feels like too much trouble. It’s rare to find someone so trustworthy and genuinely invested in their clients’ success. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an outstanding accountant.

Owner's reply
Thank you for your wonderful feedback Marco. We’re thrilled to hear about your experience with Angela and appreciate your kind words regarding her professionalism, attention to detail, and clear, proactive communication. Providing trusted advice and ensuring our clients feel confident in their financial decisions is always our priority. Thank you for your recommendation and we look forward to continuing to support you.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Terrie Watson 
 165 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Crest accountants have been our accountants for over 20 years during that time Angela and Wes have supported our businesses with clarity and efficiency They have always been proactive in advising us of changes in the taxation realm and attending to all our accountancy needs in a timely manner I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone looking for a honest reliable accountancy service

Owner's reply
Thank you Terrie, for your continued trust and for taking the time to share your experience. Supporting your businesses for over 20 years has been a privilege, and we truly appreciate your kind words. We are pleased to know that our commitment to providing timely, proactive advice has delivered meaningful value for you. We sincerely value the long-standing relationship we’ve built and appreciate your recommendation, and we look forward to continuing to support your businesses into the future.