November 2024
Revealed: Australia’s best accounting firms in 2024
The Financial Review list shows that mid-tier accounting firms reached an unprecedented size as revenue at the big four consulting firms fell to a two-year low.
Accounting firms bullish about the future
Automation technology and ever-growing demand for advice are keeping the top firms optimistic about the years ahead.
May 2019
Cap big four public service consulting fees: Greens
The Greens will seek to use their numbers in the next Parliament to cap public service spending on consultants and contractors.
November 2018
Digital revolution waiting for no one
Australian business is expected to spend more than $65 billion on technology in 2019 as part of an ongoing transformation to ensure the nation can compete effectively in the globalised digital economy.
A long way to the top for women
While there are still many challenges, more women are entering the accounting profession than ever before
Heads together to survive the big dry
When farmer Richard Ogilvie bought his property in New England, northern NSW, five years ago he had 12,000 head of cattle. Since then the slow, creeping drought has seen this number halve.
Skill set revolution as AI takes over the basics
With the advent of artificial intelligence and robotics, some human services will become redundant, while the range of business advisory services will continue to grow.
Good will that goes beyond the books
Pro bono work by accountants is on the rise, with firms across Australia spending an average of 3089 hours on pro bono work in 2017-2018.
Advisory services the revenue king
Advisory services continue to be the fastest growing area of revenue for accounting firms with 82 per cent (up 8 per cent from 2017) ranking it No. 1.
Dealing with a crisis part of the job
When a small business loses $100,000 because a client goes bankrupt, alarm bells immediately start ringing.
Capitalising on disruption fast
The accounting profession is changing rapidly, with much greater diversity and disruption than in the past. For the profession to remain at the forefront, it is vital we keep pace.
Profession prepares for transformed future
Professions are changing, with leaps in technology, mobility, artificial intelligence and globalisation contributing to unprecedented levels of uncertainty and competition.
October 2018
Top help is hard to find ... and keep
Staff turnover has always been a pressing issue for small business, but a recent survey has put the levels at pre-GFC highs, indicating a restlessness in the employee market.
November 2017
Global megatrends are global opportunities for accounting profession
Technology and innovation allows for different and better ways of working, from simply collaborating, to being part of the bigger, broader contribution to global changes.
Accountants acquire new firms, capabilities
Accounting firms continue to aggressively pursue a range of acquisitions despite the failure rate for mergers and acquisitions standing at between 70 and 90 per cent.
Marketing can highlight skills of accounting firms
Not only are brands required to market themselves heavily, but so are individuals in order to highlight their points of difference in skill or product execution.
Using technology to its utmost
Whether it is our smartphones, transport or buildings, it is now almost a given that business of any sort in developed countries cannot function without technology.
Accountants turn into white-collar crime stoppers
Tax evasion, corporate fraud and money laundering are escalating to record levels around the globe, as criminals find new ways of hiding money to fund their activities.
Small private outfits boost growth by branching out
Australia's top 15 small private accounting firms prospered in the last 12 months due to extending their existing range of services, reducing costs and expanding clients existing spend.
Working from the heart can bring enormous rewards for accountants
Chartered accountant firms have been busy across Australia, clocking up hours in pro bono work in the past financial year, in direct work, in-kind services and monetary donations.