Crest Accountants Services

High Net Worth Families & Individuals

Private Wealth Accountants for High Net Worth Families

Would you consider yourself a high net worth individual? If you have a significant range of assets and investments or a business generating a high level of income, then it’s likely that you are. For someone like you, there are so many things to think about. From keeping track, remaining compliant, planning, and following regulations, all whilst trying to minimise your tax liability, you’ve got your work cut out for you. This is why investing in expert advice from a specialised wealth creation accountant is so important.

As your wealth grows, so do your financial matters and the help you require to manage them. Expert advice from a professional private wealth accountants, isn’t just for tax time. A true wealth creation accountant will be there to help you all year round, with an understanding, supportive and proactive approach – growing with you and your wealth.

How Crest Wealth Creation Accountants can help

This is precisely what the team of private wealth accountant experts at Crest Accountants provide. We’ve been helping high net worth families and individuals maximise and protect their assets for over 45 years. How do we do this? With an expert team specifically specialised in high net worth accounts and dedicated to you and your needs, who provide services like these:

We’re here for you, your family, and your wealth creation, all year round. Contact us to find out more about how we can help today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Wealth Accounting

What is a private wealth accountant and what do they do?

A private wealth accountant provides specialised accounting, tax and compliance services tailored to high net worth individuals and families. Unlike a general accountant, they work across complex structures including family trusts, SMSFs, investment portfolios, and business interests, and take a proactive, year-round approach to minimising tax, protecting assets and growing wealth across generations.

What counts as being a high net worth individual in Australia?

While there is no single official definition, high net worth individuals are generally considered to be those with at least $1 million in investible assets outside of their home, or those with significant business interests and complex financial structures. In accounting and tax terms, the ATO pays particular attention to individuals and private groups controlling wealth of $50 million or more, though specialised advice is valuable well before reaching that level.

How can high net worth individuals legally reduce their tax in Australia?

There are several legitimate strategies available, including maximising concessional superannuation contributions, distributing income through family discretionary trusts to lower-earning members, using corporate structures to cap tax on retained earnings at 25%, and carefully timing capital gains events. Australia’s top marginal rate is 47% including the Medicare levy, so proactive planning can make a significant difference to what you keep each year.

What is a family trust and how does it help with tax and asset protection?

A family discretionary trust is a legal structure that holds assets on behalf of a family group and allows the trustee to distribute income among beneficiaries each year. By directing distributions to members in lower tax brackets, families can significantly reduce their overall tax bill. Trusts also provide a layer of asset protection, as assets held in trust are generally not owned personally and may be shielded from creditors in certain circumstances.

How does CGT planning work for high net worth individuals?

Capital gains tax planning involves timing the sale of assets strategically to maximise available concessions and minimise the tax payable on gains. Key strategies include holding assets for more than 12 months to access the 50% CGT discount, contributing proceeds to superannuation where eligible, and structuring asset ownership across entities to manage the tax outcome. CGT planning should be considered well before any sale, not after.

Why does asset protection matter as your wealth grows?

As your wealth and business interests grow, so does your exposure to risk from creditors, litigation, or business failure. Holding assets in the right structures, such as trusts, SMSFs or companies, can help separate personal wealth from business risk and protect what you have built. Effective asset protection is not about hiding wealth but about structuring it intelligently from the outset, which is why it is best addressed as early as possible.

News & advice from Crest Accountants

Estate Planning

Why You Need an Accountant When You Create Your Will

There are a few different people who need to be involved when you create your Will. Of course, your partner will be included in discussions, and likely your family. Then you need a lawyer. The other person who should be included is your accountant. Here is why you need an accountant to take a part […]

SMSF

Record Keeping in Your SMSF: What You Need to Know

A self-managed super fund can be a cost-effective and effective way to grow your wealth prior to retirement but if you decide to proceed with this strategy, there are some legal requirements you need to be aware of. Your SMSF must also be maintained for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to its members. […]

Property

Queensland Land Tax Changes to Take Note of

The rules and regulations around tax change regularly. An upcoming change we are keeping our clients informed about involves land tax in Queensland. This will affect you if you own property in Queensland, even if you live outside the state. Have a look at our quick explainer. Land tax in Queensland, what’s changing and when? […]

Financial Planning

Changes to Your Superannuation in 2022: What You Need to Know

Superannuation update from a Gold Coast financial advisor A number of superannuation (super) reforms that were announced last year came into effect in Australia on 1 July 2022. Many of the changes are good news for anyone who has retirement on their mind — there are opportunities to increase your savings and build a bigger […]

Retirement Planning

How to Save for Retirement in Your 50s

Retirement tips from a Gold Coast financial advisor Many individuals and couples start thinking seriously about retirement when they reach their 50s. If you don’t already have a plan in place by the time you reach this age, it’s very much time to get started. The more action you take during this decade to secure […]

News

ATO Targeting Trust Distributions To Family Members

Recently, the ATO have indicated that trust distributions to adult family members and associated companies are on their radar and they are planning to increase ATO audit compliance activity. The ATO have released the following tax rulings to provide guidance on taxpayers’ that are risk of increased compliance activity: Draft Taxation Ruling TR2022/D1 Draft Practical […]

Cryptocurrency

Get Smarter Than Scammers – How to Protect Yourself and Others

Scammers as we know, take from businesses and individuals – especially the vulnerable – by gaining trust, then taking personal information and hard-earned money. While scammers are nothing new, they’re adapting, constantly trying to find new ways to make other people pay. The solution? Prevention. Prevent yourself, loved ones and others from getting scammed with […]

SMSF

Is a SMSF right for you? What you need to know

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is exactly that – where your superannuation is managed by yourself. What makes an SMSF different to other types of superfunds is that the members are often themselves the trustees. This means they run it for their own benefit, while complying with Australian superannuation and taxation laws, of course. When […]

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 […]

Estate Planning

Estate Planning: What You Need to Know about Testamentary Trusts

Passing on is an unfortunate, yet inevitable final stage in the circle of life. Yet, a testamentary trust as part of estate planning is one small but mighty plan you could put in place, to alleviate potential and further stress for loved ones left behind. What is involved in estate planning, testamentary trusts? What are their […]

Financial Planning

COVID-19 & Your Super: What You Need To Know

COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our economy, but should you be rethinking your super investment strategy now? Read on to find out what you need to know before making any changes. Your Super Investment Strategy Superannuation is a long-term investment and is designed to weather short-term investment market changes. The consensus from experts […]

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 […]

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 […]

      
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   Aaron Larkin 
 11 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
  
 
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   Sarah Greenwold 
 61 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!
  
 
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   Ada Skopljak 
 73 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.
  
 
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   Joanne Roberts 
 81 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.
  
 
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   stefan kubler 
 152 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.
  
 
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   Valeria Davidov 
 152 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.
  
 
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   Stephen Childs 
 155 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.
  
 
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   Serena Keeffe 
 155 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.
  
 
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   Marco Ruas 
 156 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.
  
 
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   Terrie Watson 
 156 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.