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The Creative’s Guide to AML: Why Your Accountant Is Asking More Questions

accountant aml anti-money laundering check-in fraud Jun 30, 2026

So… what’s changing?

Australia is bringing in new financial rules called Tranche 2 AML reforms (AML = Anti-Money Laundering).

Basically, accountants will now have stricter legal responsibilities to help prevent things like fraud, money laundering, and financial crime, similar to what banks already do.

That means your accountant may start asking for a bit more information. It’s totally normal, and it applies to everyone.

Think of it like extra security checks for your business finances.

What does this mean for creatives?

Creative businesses often look ‘different’ on paper compared to traditional jobs.

You might:

Work with overseas clients
Earn from multiple income streams
Use different platforms
Change business structures as you grow
Receive irregular or large payments

This is very common in creative industries but under the new rules, accountants need to better understand how money moves through your business.

So what might your accountant ask for?

You may be asked for:

ID verification
Business structure details
Information about where your income comes from
Extra clarification around unusual transactions

This isn’t because you’ve done anything wrong, it’s simply part of the new compliance requirements.

Ongoing check-ins are becoming normal

It’s no longer just a one-time onboarding check.

Your accountant may need to touch base again if:

You land a large overseas client
You start earning from new platforms
You set up a company or trust
Your income changes significantly

Examples

Example 1: A big overseas client

You suddenly receive a large payment from an international brand.

Completely normal but your accountant may ask:

Who’s the client?
What was the project for?

This is just to properly document the transaction.

Example 2: Multiple income streams

You earn from:

Brand collaborations
Etsy or online store sales
Workshops
Affiliate income
Digital products

This is very common for creatives, but it can look complex from a compliance perspective, so your accountant may need help understanding how everything connects.

Example 3: Starting a company or trust

You decide to level up your business structure.

Your accountant may need to:

Verify ownership
Understand why the structure was created
Keep records updated and compliant

Will accountants report clients?

Only in situations where something genuinely doesn’t add up or appears suspicious.

For the vast majority of creatives running legitimate businesses, this won’t be an issue at all, and your accountant will definitely ask you to explain any ‘suspicious’ things first.