A good accountant does far more than lodge your tax return — they help you plan cash flow, stay compliant, pay staff correctly and make better decisions. The wrong one costs you time, money and sleep. This guide walks through how to choose an accountant for your Australian small business: when you actually need one, what to check, what to ask, and the red flags that should send you elsewhere.
When you’re ready to find one, our directory of RosterElf-partner accountants lists accredited practices who are strong on payroll and award compliance.
Choosing an accountant: the short version
- Check registration:
confirm they’re a registered tax or BAS agent on the Tax Practitioners Board register
- Match your business:
pick someone who knows your industry, size and software (Xero or MYOB)
- Understand fees:
prefer fixed-fee or monthly packages so costs are predictable
- Look for proactive advice:
the best accountants help you plan ahead, not just report the past
- Watch red flags:
guaranteed refunds, vague fees, slow replies or no registration
Do you even need an accountant — and when?
You can lodge your own tax as a sole trader, but certain moments are strong signals it’s time to get an accountant (or a bookkeeper):
Common triggers to hire
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You’re hiring your first employee (payroll, super and Single Touch Payroll start)
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Your turnover is nearing $75,000 and you must register for GST (which needs an ABN)
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You’re setting up or changing structure (company, trust, partnership)
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You’re spending hours on tax admin instead of running the business
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You’re facing an ATO review, or growth and cash-flow decisions you want advice on
Start with what your business actually needs
Before you shortlist anyone, get clear on the work. A sole trader with a simple return needs something very different from a growing business with employees, payroll and BAS obligations. Roughly, most small businesses need some mix of:
Common services to scope
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Tax returns and tax planning
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Bookkeeping and BAS lodgement
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Payroll, superannuation and award interpretation if you employ staff
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Business structure, cash flow and growth advice
The clearer you are on this, the easier it is to match an accountant to the job — and to compare quotes fairly.
Accountant, bookkeeper or BAS agent?
“Accountant” is often used loosely for three different roles. Knowing which you need stops you overpaying — or hiring someone who legally can’t do the job you need.
| Role | Handles | Can charge for your tax return? |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | Day-to-day records, payroll | No |
| BAS agent | BAS, GST, PAYG (TPB-registered) | No |
| Accountant / tax agent | Tax returns, structure, strategy | Yes |
Only a registered tax agent can charge to prepare your income tax return. See accountant vs bookkeeper for the full comparison.
If you mostly need day-to-day records and payroll, a bookkeeper or BAS agent may be enough; for tax returns, structure and strategy you need an accountant who is a registered tax agent. Many businesses use both — see accountant vs bookkeeper.
Check they're registered and qualified
In Australia, anyone who charges to prepare your tax return must be a registered tax agent, and anyone lodging your BAS for a fee must be a registered BAS agent. Both are listed on the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) register, which you can search for free in a minute. This is the single most important check — charging for these services without registration is against the law.
Beyond registration, most accountants hold a professional designation, which signals ongoing training and a code of conduct:
- CPA — a Certified Practising Accountant with CPA Australia
- CA — a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ)
- IPA — a member of the Institute of Public Accountants
All three are well-regarded; the differences matter less than finding someone who fits your business. Membership is a good sign, not a strict requirement — TPB registration is the non-negotiable one.
Match them to your industry and software
An accountant who works with businesses like yours already understands your margins, your busy periods and your compliance risks. A café accountant knows hospitality award penalties; a trades accountant knows contractors and GST on materials.
Software matters too. If you run Xero or MYOB, choose someone fluent in it — you’ll spend far less time explaining your setup. If you employ hourly or casual staff, this is where the biggest risk lives: getting penalty rates, overtime and allowances right under the relevant modern award. An accountant who is confident with payroll and award interpretation will save you real money and stress.
Understand how they charge
Fees vary widely, so ask up front — and get it in writing. Fixed-fee or monthly packages make your costs predictable and are easy to compare; hourly billing can be harder to forecast. Ask exactly what’s included (returns, BAS, payroll, phone support) and what counts as extra. As an indicative 2026 guide:
Indicative accountant fees (AUD, 2026)
| Service | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Simple individual return | $100–$180 |
| Sole trader return | $150–$300 |
| Company or trust return | $300–$700+ |
| Monthly package | a few hundred–$2,000+ /mo |
Indicative (Airtasker, Sleek, 2026); varies by complexity, location and firm.
For the full breakdown — including hourly rates and whether fees are tax-deductible — see how much an accountant costs in Australia. And if you mainly need day-to-day records and payroll rather than tax strategy, read accountant vs bookkeeper first — you may need a bookkeeper, or both.
Questions to ask before you commit
Ask every accountant you shortlist
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Are you a registered tax and/or BAS agent? (verify on the TPB register)
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Do you work with businesses in my industry and at my size?
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How do you charge — fixed fee, monthly or hourly — and what’s included?
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Which software do you support, and can you help with payroll and awards?
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How quickly do you respond, and who is my main contact?
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What proactive advice will I get through the year, not just at tax time?
A simple process to choose
Once you know what you need, a quick, structured process beats picking the first name you find:
- Get referrals from business owners you trust in a similar industry.
- Shortlist two or three and check each on the TPB register.
- Have a short intro call with each — most offer a free one — and ask the questions above.
- Check who actually handles your account (a partner, or a junior you’ll rarely hear from?) and ask for a client reference.
- Compare written quotes on a like-for-like scope, then decide on value, not just price.
Red flags and green lights
Walk away if you see these
Be cautious of anyone who guarantees a specific refund, is vague or evasive about fees, is consistently slow to respond, pressures you to claim things you’re unsure about, or isn’t a registered agent.
Good signs to look for
A great accountant is transparent about fees, responsive, proactive (they reach out with ideas, not just at tax time), explains things in plain English, and is confident with your software and awards. These green lights matter more than the lowest quote.
Where to find a good accountant
Referrals from business owners you trust are a great start. Beyond that, our find an accountant directory lists accredited RosterElf-partner accountants and bookkeepers by city — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth — who are strong on payroll and award compliance and use RosterElf to keep pay runs accurate.
Are you an accountant or bookkeeper yourself? You can become a RosterElf partner and get listed — see RosterElf for accountants.
Run shift-based staff? RosterElf turns rosters and timesheets into award-compliant, payroll-ready data your accountant will love — start a free trial.
Choosing an accountant — FAQs
How do I choose a good accountant?
Get clear on what you need (tax, bookkeeping, payroll or all three), then shortlist registered accountants who work with businesses like yours and support your software. Check them on the Tax Practitioners Board register, ask how they charge, and confirm they’re confident with payroll and awards if you employ staff. You can also browse accredited RosterElf-partner accountants.
How do I know if an accountant is good?
Good accountants are registered, transparent about fees, responsive, and proactive — they help you plan payroll, cash flow and tax through the year rather than just lodging returns. Vagueness about pricing, slow replies, or guaranteeing a refund are warning signs.
How much should I expect to pay an accountant?
Indicatively (2026), a simple individual return is around $100–$180, a sole trader return $150–$300, and a company or trust return from $300 upward with complexity. See how much an accountant costs in Australia for the full picture, including hourly rates and deductibility.
Do I need an accountant if I use Xero or MYOB?
Do I need an accountant if I have a bookkeeper?
Often yes — they do different jobs. A bookkeeper handles day-to-day records, payroll and BAS; an accountant advises on tax, structure and strategy and lodges returns. Many businesses use both. See accountant vs bookkeeper.
Can I switch accountants?
Yes, and it’s common. You can change at any time — your new accountant can request your records from the previous one (an “ethical letter”). The best time is after your return is lodged. Give notice, settle any outstanding fees, and confirm your files are handed over.
What is the difference between a CPA, CA and IPA accountant?
They’re the three main professional bodies: CPA Australia (CPA), Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). All require study, experience and ongoing professional development. For most small businesses the designation matters less than fit, responsiveness and TPB registration.
Should my accountant handle payroll?
If you employ hourly or casual staff, choosing an accountant or bookkeeper who is confident with payroll and modern awards is one of the most valuable decisions you’ll make. RosterElf-partner accountants use automated award interpretation so pay data reaches Xero or MYOB already calculated.
