The Mortgage Landscape for Professionals

In theory, high-earning professionals such as accountants, tax advisers and Big Four partners should be among the easiest clients to finance. They are well-paid, respected and financially astute. Yet in practice, 2025 continues to highlight how difficult it can be for professional partners to access the right mortgage.

The problem lies not in their income but in how it is structured. Salaried employees present payslips; professional partners present profit shares, capital accounts, retained earnings and drawings. Lenders have tightened their criteria since 2020, and many now struggle to interpret these complex income streams. Without a broker who understands both the profession and the lenders, highly capable borrowers often find themselves facing reduced loan sizes or outright declines.

Why Income Structure Creates Challenges

Partnership income rarely arrives in the neat, monthly rhythm that lenders prefer. Instead, partners may draw irregular monthly amounts, top up with quarterly distributions, and receive a final balancing payment after the firm’s accounts are signed off. Some choose to leave profits in the firm to strengthen capital accounts, while others draw more aggressively depending on lifestyle needs.

Lenders are cautious by nature, and when income is variable they tend to assume the lower end of the scale. This conservative approach means that an accountant earning £250,000 on paper may be assessed as if they earn significantly less, especially if large portions are retained within the partnership.

We discussed similar themes in our blog on mortgages for self-employed borrowers in 2025. The same principles apply here, but the sums and structures are often larger and more complex.

The Role of Capital Accounts

Capital accounts are both an asset and a liability. On one hand, they represent the partner’s share of the firm’s equity and can be seen as a measure of stability. On the other, they are often locked in and cannot be accessed easily for mortgage affordability purposes. Some lenders treat them as quasi-savings, others disregard them entirely.

For professional partners hoping to leverage their capital account when applying for a mortgage, the choice of lender is critical. A mainstream bank may ignore it, while a private bank or specialist lender may be willing to consider it as part of the overall wealth picture.

Partnership Loans and Liabilities

Another complicating factor is partnership debt. Many firms require partners to take out partnership loans to buy into the business. These loans can be significant, often six figures, and lenders view them as personal liabilities. Even when the partnership loan is repaid out of future profits, mortgage underwriters will deduct the repayment from affordability calculations.

This can create a distorted picture. A partner may have strong net income after drawings, but their mortgage capacity is capped by the appearance of a heavy personal loan. Without an adviser who can explain the structure to the lender and sometimes provide supporting documentation from the firm—borrowing power is unnecessarily restricted.

Private Banks and Bespoke Solutions

For many partners in top accountancy and advisory firms, the best route is not through high street banks at all, but via private banks and specialist lenders. These institutions take a more holistic view. They may consider retained profits, capital accounts, or even offer Lombard or securities backed lending against investment portfolios.

Private banks also recognise the long-term earning potential of senior professionals. A newly promoted partner with rising profit shares may not yet have two years of full drawings history, but a private bank can underwrite against projected income with the support of firm accounts.

We explored similar dynamics in our guide on high-net-worth mortgages in 2025. Professional partners, particularly in major accountancy firms, often fall into this same category.

Insurance and Protection Considerations

Mortgages for professional partners do not exist in isolation. Lenders, particularly private banks, increasingly ask about protection strategies to ensure long-term security. Life cover, income protection and partnership-specific insurances such as shareholder or key person cover can all play a role in strengthening an application.

At Willow, we integrate insurance alongside borrowing. For professional partners, this might mean arranging life cover that matches the size of the mortgage, income protection that aligns with variable drawings, or partnership protection to ensure liabilities are covered in the event of illness or death. By combining finance with comprehensive protection, we create a package that reassures both lenders and borrowers.

A Typical Case Study

Consider an equity partner in a Top 10 accountancy firm with £200,000 annual profit share. Their drawings fluctuate quarterly, and they hold a £150,000 partnership loan. A high street bank may treat their income as uncertain and deduct the partnership loan aggressively, reducing borrowing capacity to under £500,000.

By contrast, Willow structured the case with a specialist lender. We presented the firm’s accounts, confirmed the stability of profit distributions, and demonstrated the client’s history of consistent drawings. We also arranged appropriate life and income protection, ensuring liabilities were covered. The result was a £1 million mortgage at competitive terms, reflecting the borrower’s true financial strength rather than the limitations of standard underwriting.

The Risks of Going Direct

Professional partners who approach lenders directly often fall foul of automated systems. Unless the underwriter has experience with partnership structures, the file is likely to be assessed too conservatively. This can lead to unnecessary declines or significantly reduced loan offers.

Even where an offer is secured, the structure may be inefficient. A partner may accept a smaller loan or higher rate simply because they are unaware that private banks or alternative products exist. Without specialist advice, opportunities to use retained profits, capital accounts or alternative wealth structures are easily missed.

Why 2025 Demands a Specialist Approach

The lending environment in 2025 is characterised by caution. Lenders are more focused on stress-testing than ever, and complex income profiles attract scrutiny. For accountants and professional partners, this means that even high earnings are not a guarantee of smooth borrowing.

However, it also creates opportunities. Those who work with advisers who understand the nuances of partnership income can unlock finance that truly reflects their status and earning power. With the right structure, mortgages for professional partners can be as competitive as those for salaried employees, if not more so.

How Willow Private Finance Helps

At Willow, we bring nearly  two decades of experience in structuring mortgages for professional partners. We speak the same language as lenders, translating profit shares, capital accounts and partnership loans into terms underwriters understand.

Our role goes beyond arranging finance. We also structure insurance solutions—life, income protection and partnership cover—that strengthen affordability assessments and protect long-term wealth. By managing both finance and protection, we give professional partners the confidence that their borrowing is not only approved but also sustainable.

Whether you are a salaried partner preparing for equity, an equity partner looking to refinance, or a professional considering your first major mortgage, Willow ensures that your complex income profile is presented in the best possible light.

📞 Want Help Navigating Today’s Market?

Book a free strategy call with one of our mortgage and insurance specialists.

We’ll help you structure borrowing that reflects your true earning power—and protection that secures your future.