RSM

If you’re in Australia, I’d split “best accounting firms” into two buckets: firms to hire and accounting software/products people actually use. For most individuals and SMEs, the best choice is often not a Big Four firm—it’s a good mid-tier or local registered tax agent using Xero/MYOB well.

Quick recommendation

Best accounting firms/brands to consider

Australia’s largest accounting firms are still the Big Four — Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC — and each had over A$2 billion in revenue on the AFR 2025 Top 100 list, so they’re the default for complex corporate work. But for mid-sized companies and SMEs, mid-tier firms are often better value and more hands-on. (intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au)

Top accounting firm brands in Australia

1. Deloitte Australia

Best for: large corporates, advisory, transformation, audit, risk, tax.
Choose Deloitte if you need scale, specialist teams, or board-level advisory.

2. EY Australia

Best for: assurance, tax, transactions, sustainability, complex corporate clients.
EY Australia reported A$2.72 billion revenue for FY25, despite a 2.9% fall from the prior year. (ey.com)

3. KPMG Australia

Best for: audit, tax, deals, risk, government/corporate advisory.
A strong choice for larger organisations needing deep technical capability.

4. PwC Australia

Best for: large corporate tax, assurance, deals, consulting—though assess fit carefully given the reputational issues of recent years.
PwC remains a major brand, but many Australian businesses now compare Big Four options more closely rather than defaulting to PwC.

5. BDO Australia

Best for: mid-market, private business, family groups, SMEs that need serious technical capability without Big Four pricing.
BDO is the standout mid-tier brand: it ranked in Australia’s top five accounting firms in the AFR 2025 list and reported about A$606.5 million revenue for the year ended 30 June 2025. (bdo.com.au)

6. RSM Australia

Best for: mid-market businesses, regional businesses, audit, tax, business advisory.
RSM is a strong “serious but approachable” option for businesses that are too complex for a tiny suburban accountant but don’t need Big Four overheads.

7. Grant Thornton Australia

Best for: mid-market, corporate tax, audit, restructuring, transactions.
A good option for businesses with growth, funding, M&A, or governance needs.

8. Pitcher Partners

Best for: private business, family office, middle-market companies, high-net-worth individuals.
Pitcher Partners is particularly strong for Australian private clients and middle-market businesses; CPA Australia reported its 2025 revenue at about A$355.93 million, ranking it ninth-largest in Australia. (intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au)

9. Findex

Best for: regional businesses, agribusiness, small-to-mid business accounting, wealth-adjacent advice.
Findex is widely used outside the capital-city corporate market and is a practical choice for SMEs wanting accounting plus broader advisory.

10. William Buck / Moore / Hall Chadwick / PKF

Best for: SMEs, private clients, audit, tax, advisory, industry-specific support.
These are well-known mid-tier or network firms that can be a better fit than Big Four if you want partner access and local knowledge.

Accounting software Australians actually use

If by “products” you mean accounting platforms, these are the main ones Australians actually use:

1. Xero — best default for most Australian small businesses

My top pick for most SMEs. Xero is widely used by Australian accountants/bookkeepers, integrates well with bank feeds, payroll, BAS workflows and add-ons, and has a large adviser ecosystem. Agile Market Intelligence’s 2025 study of 755 Australian accountants/bookkeepers found Xero leads the general ledger/ERP category, with MYOB second and QuickBooks third. (agilemarketintelligence.com.au)

2. MYOB — best for established businesses, payroll, inventory, legacy users

MYOB is still deeply embedded in Australia. It’s a strong pick if your accountant already runs MYOB, you need payroll/inventory features, or you’re migrating from older MYOB products. The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers’ 2025 survey showed respondent usage of Xero 90%, MYOB 71%, and QuickBooks Online 39%, which reflects how common Xero and MYOB are in Australian bookkeeping/accounting workflows. (icb.org.au)

3. QuickBooks Online — good lower-cost alternative

QuickBooks is worth considering if you want cloud accounting at a competitive price, especially for simpler service businesses. In Australia it is used, but it generally sits behind Xero and MYOB among accounting professionals. (agilemarketintelligence.com.au)

4. Reckon — good for budget-conscious or legacy Reckon users

Reckon still has a place in Australia, especially for payroll and smaller-business use cases. The ATO’s software product register lists Reckon payroll products authorised for ATO digital services/STP purposes. (softwaredevelopers.ato.gov.au)

5. NetSuite / MYOB Advanced / Microsoft Dynamics / Sage Intacct — for larger businesses

If you’ve outgrown Xero or MYOB—multi-entity, inventory, projects, approvals, consolidated reporting—you’re probably looking at an ERP rather than basic accounting software.

My practical shortlist

If you’re an individual:

• Use a registered tax agent with good reviews and experience in your situation.
• Don’t pay for a Big Four firm unless you have complex international tax, trusts, business structures, or high-net-worth issues.

If you’re a small business:

• Use Xero + a good local CPA/CA or registered tax agent.
• Consider MYOB if payroll/inventory or your accountant’s workflow suits it better.

If you’re a growing SME or family business:

• Shortlist BDO, RSM, Grant Thornton, Pitcher Partners, Findex, William Buck, plus one respected local specialist firm.

If you’re a large company or complex group:

• Shortlist Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, and possibly BDO/Grant Thornton/RSM for comparison.

Important Australian check

Before paying anyone for tax or BAS work, check they’re registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. The TPB’s public register lets you verify whether a tax or BAS agent is registered. (tpb.gov.au)

Here's a practical breakdown of the Australian accounting landscape — both firms (if you need an accountant) and software (if you're after tools for DIY or that your accountant will likely use).

🏢 Big 4 — For large businesses, IPOs, complex audits

If you're running a large company or need serious audit/advisory work, these are the market leaders:

• Deloitte – Deloitte Australia employs over 10,000 people across 16 offices and is consistently ranked among the biggest accounting firms in Australia by headcount and advisory revenue, recognised for providing innovative solutions leveraging strong domain expertise.
• PwC – PwC Australia is the country's largest professional services firm by revenue, employing approximately 8,000 people and generating over AUD $2.6 billion in FY2023 fees.
• EY – EY offers audit and assurance, tax advisory, strategy and transactions, consulting, risk management, and cybersecurity, operating across 9 cities with over 7,000 people, and is a leading firm for IPO advisory and transactions.
• KPMG – KPMG Australia employs approximately 8,700 people and is among the top accounting firms in Australia for government, infrastructure, and financial services clients.

In employee satisfaction/reputation rankings, the order typically runs Deloitte Australia, PwC Australia, KPMG Australia, EY Australia, Grant Thornton Australia, the ATO, and BDO Australia.

🏢 Mid-tier / National Firms — Great for SMEs and mid-market

These are hugely popular with Australian small-to-medium businesses, family businesses, and high-net-worth clients:

• William Buck – part of a national powerhouse that's been operating since 1895, with a strong Sydney presence.
• Moore Australia – a network of five independent accounting, audit and advisory firms with 14 offices and 550+ staff across Australia.
• SW Accountants & Advisors (Perth-based) – an Australian owned advisory and accounting firm with a 90 year history.
• Pitcher Partners – a well-established network of independent accounting firms offering audit, tax, advisory, corporate finance, and wealth management.
• Others commonly recommended: BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM — all strong, nationally recognised mid-tier brands.

💼 Boutique/Cloud-first firms — Popular with startups & small business owners

If you're a sole trader, startup, or small business wanting modern, approachable service:

• BlueRock and TaxAssist Accountants are frequently recommended as popular firms that enable businesses to seamlessly navigate financial complexities.
• POP Business has positioned itself as the accessible option for small business owners.
• Smaller boutique Sydney firms like Beaches Accounting, Evolution Cloud Accounting, and The Pen Accounting are cloud-focused firms whose boutique size may appeal to businesses wanting personalised attention from a local firm, typ

In Australia, the accounting landscape is highly digitized, and what "people actually use" depends entirely on who is asking—whether you are an everyday individual doing a tax return, a small business owner/tradie managing day-to-day books, a growing mid-market company, or a major corporate entity.

The top-tier accounting firms, mid-market advisors, and cloud software products are the leading names shaping Australian finance.

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1. The Cloud Software Products Everyone Actually Uses

If you run a business in Australia, your accountant won't just ask for your receipts; they’ll ask which software you use. Because of Australia’s strict ATO reporting requirements—specifically Single Touch Payroll (STP) and Business Activity Statements (BAS)—almost every business relies on cloud accounting.

• Xero: The undisputed king of Aussie small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). Originally from New Zealand, Xero has a massive market share in Australia. It is highly favored by bookkeepers and accountants for its clean, intuitive user interface and its massive ecosystem of 1,000+ integrated apps (like Deputy for rostering or Shopify for e-commerce).
• MYOB (Mind Your Own Business): The legacy Australian powerhouse. While it lost ground to Xero during the cloud transition, its modern platform (MYOB Business) is a robust workhorse. It is incredibly popular with tradies, manufacturing businesses, and companies with heavy inventory or complex payroll needs.
• QuickBooks Online (QBO): A strong global player that is often cheaper than Xero. It is popular with sole traders and freelancers, though its advisor and support network in Australia is smaller than Xero’s or MYOB’s.

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2. The Mid-Tier Champions (Best for Growing Businesses & Family Trusts)

If you are running a successful private business, a high-growth startup, or managing a family trust/Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), the "Big Four" firms are usually too expensive. Instead, the standard for mid-market businesses in Australia is to use highly respected, more accessible mid-tier firms:

• BDO & RSM: The heavyweights of the mid-tier. Both have a massive footprint across Australian capital cities and regional hubs. They offer the technical depth of the Big Four (for audit, international tax, and M&A) but with a fee structure and relationship model tailored to medium-sized businesses.
• Pitcher Partners: Highly regarded as the premier firm for family-owned businesses, private companies, and high-net-worth individuals (particularly strong in Victoria and NSW).
• William Buck & Grant Thornton: Fantastic firms for progressive, mid-market businesses, startups looking for venture capital structuring, and companies preparing for an IPO.
• Findex (Crowe): With offices scattered across regional Australia as well as metro areas, Findex is highly popular for combining traditional business accounting with financial planning and wealth management.

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3. The Local & Digital-First Small Business Specialists

For everyday personal tax returns, sole traders, or micro-businesses looking for proactive but affordable advice:

• H&R Block: The most recognizable household name for personal tax returns. With physical offices on almost every major Australian high street and shopping centre, they are the go-to for straightforward individual tax returns.
• Kelly+Partners: A rapidly expanding, ASX-listed accounting network. They specialize in private business owners and operate on a unique partnership model that feels like a highly attentive, local suburban accountant backed by a massive national network.
• BlueRock & POP Business: These are modern, digital-first, and highly entrepreneurial firms. They are incredibly popular with younger business owners, e-commerce brands, and tech startups because they specialize in cloud-based setups (primarily Xero), offering fixed-monthly pricing packages rather than billing by the hour.

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4. The "Big Four" Giants (For Enterprises & ASX-Listed Corporates)

If you operate a major corporate entity, a government department, or an ASX 200-listed company, you will almost certainly work with the Big Four. They set the standards for audit, corporate tax structuring, and management consulting in Australia:

• Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG
• An important note on the market: PwC Australia has faced significant reputational hurdles over the last few years following high-profile government tax leaks, which saw some public sector work shift to competitors. However, all four remain the dominant players for enterprise-level corporate finance, forensic accounting, and major audit compliance.

Summary: Which should you choose?

• If you need software to run your business: Get Xero.
• If you want straightforward personal tax help: Visit H&R Block or a local suburban CPA.
• If you run a growing Aussie business or startup: Speak to William Buck, Pitcher Partners, or a digital-first firm like BlueRock.
• If you are a large corporate or require complex auditing: Look to BDO, RSM, or the Big Four.

If you want the best accounting firms in Australia by brand recognition and real-world usage, the clearest top tier is the Big Four: Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. They remain the largest firms in Australia and together generate around three-quarters of the fee income of the top 25 accounting and advisory firms.

If you mean firms that people actually use across different needs, the market in Australia is split into three practical buckets:

• Large corporate / audit / tax advisory: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG.
• Mid-tier firms with strong national presence: Grant Thornton, BDO, Pitcher Partners, RSM, William Buck, Crowe, HLB Mann Judd. Mid-tier firms have been growing faster than the Big Four in Australia.
• Small business / local accounting firms: firms like TaxAssist Accountants and regional practices show up prominently in local rankings and directories.

A useful shortlist of top brands in Australia would be:

If you want the best accounting software products people actually use in Australia, the most common names are Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks, which appear in Australian accounting service listings and are widely used by firms for bookkeeping and tax work.

For most Australians, the practical recommendation is:

• Big Four if you need large-scale corporate, audit, or complex advisory work.
• Mid-tier firms like BDO, Grant Thornton, Pitcher Partners, RSM, and William Buck if you want strong capability without Big Four pricing and overhead.
• Local firms or TaxAssist-style providers if you mainly need tax returns, BAS, bookkeeping, or small-business support.

If you want, I can also give you a ranked list by use case:

• best for small business
• best for tax returns
• best for startups
• best for audits
• best for Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane

Best depends on who you are — individual, sole trader, SME, startup, SMSF, or ASX-listed. In Australia, the names people actually use fall into a few clear buckets.

Top accounting firms in Australia

Big end of town / ASX & multinationals

• Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG — the Big 4. Used for audit, tax, consulting, risk, M&A. Expensive, and grads often do the day-to-day work.

Mid-tier / national firms — best for most SMEs and private clients

• BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, Pitcher Partners, William Buck, Findex, Forvis Mazars, Moore Australia, HLB Mann Judd, PKF, Crowe, Nexia, Bentleys
• These are the sweet spot for growing private companies, family businesses, SMSFs, and not-for-profits. Pitcher Partners is strong in private clients; BDO/Grant Thornton/RSM have national reach.

Individuals, sole traders, small business

• Local CPA/CA firms — often the best value.
• H&R Block, Etax, Airtax, Online Tax Australia, ITP — common for tax returns and BAS.
• myTax (ATO) — free for simple personal returns.
• Startups/tech: Fullstack Advisory, BlueRock, Carbon Group, Kelly+Partners are commonly used for R&D tax incentive, ESOPs, and capital raising.

SMSF specialists

• Heffron, esuperfund, SuperGuardian — plus BGL and Class for software/admin.

Software/products Aussies actually use

• Cloud accounting: Xero (dominant with accountants), MYOB (Business/AccountRight/Essentials), QuickBooks Online, Reckon One. Xero and MYOB are the Coke and Pepsi of Australian SME accounting.
• ERP/mid-market: MYOB Advanced, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Sage Intacct, SAP Business One, TechnologyOne.
• Payroll/HR: Employment Hero/KeyPay, Deputy, Tanda, Payroller, Xero Payroll, MYOB Payroll.
• Receipts/expenses: Dext, Hubdoc, Expensify, AutoEntry.
• Practice management/tax/SMSF: Xero Practice Manager, Karbon, FYI, Sage HandiSoft, NowInfinity, BGL Simple Fund 360, Class Super.
• Tax returns: myTax, H&R Block, Etax, Airtax.
• Invoicing: Invoice2go, Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks.

What I’d actually recommend

• Simple personal tax: myTax. If shares/property/complex: H&R Block, Etax, or a local CPA/CA.
• Sole trader/small business: Xero or QuickBooks + Dext/Hubdoc + a local CPA/CA. If you have staff: Employment Hero/KeyPay or Xero Payroll.
• Growing private company: BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, or Pitcher Partners + Xero/MYOB Advanced/NetSuite.
• ASX/multinational: Big 4 for audit/tax; SAP/Oracle/Workday/TechnologyOne for systems.
• SMSF: Heffron, esuperfund, SuperGuardian, or BGL/Class via your accountant.

Make sure they’re a CPA/CA or registered tax agent, and get a fixed-fee quote. “Best” is really whoever fits your industry, budget, and complexity.

The top accounting firms in Australia are ranked annually by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top 100 Accounting Firms list, which focuses on revenue, growth, and other metrics.

As of the latest available data (covering 2023-24 and into 2025 reports), the Big Four still dominate overall revenue but have faced challenges with declining or flat results in some years due to reduced government consulting work and other factors. Mid-tier firms have been growing strongly, often by focusing on core accounting, tax, and advisory services that clients are shifting toward.

Top Firms by Revenue/Growth (Recent AFR Insights)

• Deloitte Australia: Often leads or near the top in revenue (e.g., around $2.78 billion in one reported year).
• EY Australia, PwC Australia, and KPMG Australia: The other Big Four players, with revenues in the $2+ billion range historically, though some have seen contractions.
• Strong mid-tier performers (growing fast and popular alternatives): BDO (significant growth, e.g., double-digit increases to over $500 million), RSM Australia, Findex, Grant Thornton, Pitcher Partners, PKF, and William Buck. These often appeal to businesses moving away from the Big Four.

For small to medium businesses (SMEs), mid-tier or boutique firms are frequently recommended over the Big Four for more personalised service, competitive pricing, and focus on tax compliance, BAS lodgements, bookkeeping, and business advisory. Examples include firms like BlueRock, Walshs, or specialists in cloud accounting. Many SMEs also use outsourced or franchise-style providers (e.g., First Class Accounts for bookkeeping).

When choosing a firm, look for:

• Chartered Accountants (CA) or CPA-qualified professionals.
• Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration.
• Xero or MYOB certification (more on software below).
• Fixed-fee pricing where possible, especially for compliance work.
• Local presence or strong ATO compliance expertise (GST, STP Phase 2 payroll, etc.).

Recommendations vary by your business size, industry, and needs (e.g., audit vs. tax vs. advisory). Larger corporates often stick with the Big Four for complex work, while SMEs benefit from mid-tier or local experts. Check the latest AFR list or firm websites for current details, and verify credentials on the TPB register.

Popular Accounting Software/Products People Actually Use

Australians overwhelmingly favour cloud-based platforms that integrate seamlessly with banks, the ATO (for BAS, GST, STP), and accountants. Xero is by far the dominant choice and most recommended by accountants and bookkeepers for small-to-medium businesses.

• Xero: Market leader with the largest share among cloud users (often cited around 50-60% or higher for SMEs). It's intuitive, has excellent bank feeds with Australian banks, strong ATO compliance (BAS lodgement, STP), and integrates with 1,000+ apps. Most accountants are Xero-certified, making it easy to hand over to a firm. Plans start affordably and scale well.
• MYOB: Long-standing Australian favourite (especially for trades, inventory-heavy, or more complex payroll businesses). It has solid local compliance and a loyal base, though some find its interface less modern than Xero. Cloud versions have improved.
• QuickBooks Online (Intuit): Popular globally and used here, with good features and sometimes topping satisfaction surveys for value or usability. Smaller market share than Xero/MYOB in Australia but a solid alternative.

Other options like Reckon, Zoho Books, or niche tools exist but have lower adoption. Many businesses combine software with a firm (e.g., Xero + a Xero-partner accountant) for the best results.

In practice, most Aussies (especially sole traders and SMEs) use Xero paired with a mid-tier or local accounting firm for compliance and advice. Larger entities may use enterprise solutions alongside Big Four support.

If you're after a specific recommendation, share more details like your business size, industry, or needs (e.g., tax only, full bookkeeping, or advisory), and I can refine this further. Always confirm the latest rankings and get quotes tailored to you!