1. Introduction: The Custodians of Credit
Chartered Accountants (CAs) represent a unique paradox in the credit market. They are the architects of financial statements for others, yet their own businesses are often 'Asset-Light,' lacking the tangible collateral that traditional underwriting models prefer. Recognizing this, the Indian credit market in 2026 has matured to offer 'Professional Loans' that accept the Certificate of Practice (COP) and Gross Receipts as de-facto collateral.
2. The Credibility of the 'COP': Eligibility & Vintage
2.1 The 'Vintage' Hurdle
- Early Career (0-3 Years COP): Access is limited. Lenders view this as the 'gestation period' of a practice.
- Established Practice (3-5 Years COP): This is the threshold for 'Prime' lending.
- Axis Bank: Mandates a minimum business vintage of 5 years.
- HDFC Bank: Typically looks for a minimum of 4 years post-qualification experience.
2.2 Turnover & Profitability Benchmarks
Lenders use turnover floors to filter out hobbyist practitioners. The baseline for eligibility is typically ₹10 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs in annual gross receipts. ICICI sets a lower turnover threshold for professionals (₹15 Lakhs) compared to non-professional businesses (₹40 Lakhs).
3. Product Spectrum: From Personal Finance to Firm Working Capital
3.1 Unsecured Professional Loans
Limits typically range from ₹35 Lakhs to ₹50 Lakhs without collateral. Axis Bank starts at 10.75%, while SBI variants sit in the 11.15% - 14.30% band.
3.2 Scaling Up: Loans for CA Firms
Select lenders like Bajaj Finserv and SBI offer unsecured business loans up to ₹75 Lakhs or even ₹1 Crore for established CA firms. These funds are used for office expansion, technology upgrades, and manpower.
3.3 The Working Capital Solution: Dropline Overdraft (DLOD)
CAs face extreme seasonality. A Dropline Overdraft allows the CA to withdraw funds during lean months and repay when client fees come in. Interest is paid only on usage.
4. Documentation and the 'Gross Receipts' Model
A significant development in 2026 is the acceptance of the 'Gross Receipts' method of underwriting. Lenders now apply a multiplier to 'Gross Professional Receipts' rather than just 'Net Profit', acknowledging the high margins in consultancy.