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Practice & Growth

Running and growing a modern accounting practice.

Pricing

How much does an accountant cost? The honest guide for businesses (and what it says about firm pricing)

Typical accountant costs in 2026 across the US, Australia and the UK, from a few hundred dollars for a simple tax return to five figures a year for full-service business support. Plus the part most fee guides skip: how…

Trent McLaren 9 min read 22 July 2026

Marketing

Marketing an accounting firm in 2026: what actually brings clients in

An honest ranking of the five channels accounting firms use to win clients, backed by 2025 survey data showing referrals still dominate at 58%. It also explains the AI-search shift (AEO) in plain terms and gives small…

Trent McLaren 9 min read 22 July 2026
Pricing

The latest Xero price increase that you may not know about yet

Xero's upcoming price increases effective 1 July 2026 will affect all business plans in Australia, including the removal of the multi-organisation discount, which may significantly impact firms managing multiple…

The Firm 5 min read 5 May 2026
Opinion

You can’t fix a broken system with a cupcake

The article highlights the persistent inequities in the accounting profession and the broader business landscape, particularly regarding women.

Shaye Thyer 6 min read 6 Mar 2026
Compliance

The Hidden Cost of Agent Representation: Why Compliance Work is Becoming Unsustainable for Firms

Agent representation has quietly become a high-risk, unpaid burden for accounting firms. As regulatory demands grow, firms are absorbing more work, risk, and stress without pricing it properly, making current compliance…

The Firm 6 min read 30 Jan 2026
Tax

Should I Become a BAS Agent or a Tax Agent? Navigating Entry Pathways into the Accounting Profession

This article breaks down the BAS agent and tax agent pathways for overseas-qualified accountants, explaining the differences in scope, risk, and timing, and why many firms recommend BAS registration first to build…

The Firm 6 min read 30 Jan 2026
Compliance

PayDay Super: The Compliance Change that’s Quietly Breaking Payrolls

The introduction of PayDay Super aims to enhance superannuation compliance by mandating that contributions be made on payday. However, many payroll systems expose critical vulnerabilities by relying on a single…

The Firm 6 min read 30 Jan 2026
Technology

Build Your Own Tech Stack with AI - An Educational Guide for Accountants

Unlock the potential of AI in your accounting practice with this hands-on guide that shows you how to create internal tools efficiently and without coding. Learn from industry experts as they build a pricing calculator…

The Firm 6 min read 1 Dec 2025
Leadership

Building a Firm You Can Sell (or Step Away From)

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

Is private equity the only path for accountancy firms to survive?

Scott Heath 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

What solo and micro firms really need to thrive

The Firm 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

The rise of AI meeting agents in accounting: what tools are firms actually using?

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

How Much Should You Charge Clients to Use Your Office for ASIC Correspondence?

The Firm 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
Opinion

Clients don’t pay for 24/7 access, so why are you on call?

In the accounting profession, the expectation of 24/7 availability is becoming a troubling norm, often leading to stress and burnout among practitioners. This article explores how this "availability creep" can be…

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Industry News

Bookkeepers vs Accountants: Why this battle is hurting clients more than anyone

The ongoing conflict between bookkeepers and accountants is not just an internal issue but one that directly impacts clients who suffer from confusion and delays. As both sides continue to argue over roles and…

The Firm 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
Marketing

Personal branding feels gross, but here's why I do it anyway

Chad Barnier 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Hiring

$40K to hire a client manager? Are accountants being ripped off?

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Marketing

TikTok for accountants? How Natalie Lennon turned viral videos into business success

Natalie Lennon, founder of Two Sides Accounting, showcases how TikTok can transform accountants' branding and client engagement. By sharing authentic, educational content, she attracts ideal clients and generates…

Natalie Lennon 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

How Local AI Could Change the Game

Beau Gaudron's innovative local AI tool revolutionises browser automation for accountants by interpreting content and executing tasks without sending data to the cloud, ensuring client privacy. This advancement allows…

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

How forward-thinking accountants will win the next wave of success

The Firm 2 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

Mastering AI in Practice: A Straight-Talking Guide for Accountants

In "Mastering AI in Practice," Michael Wood highlights the transformative impact of AI on accounting, emphasising the shift from deterministic to probabilistic software. He outlines practical steps for firms to adopt AI…

The Firm 2 min read 29 Nov 2025
Tax

“This tax is a sht show”: Why accountants continue to unload on policy makers

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

Turning ChatGPT Into the MVP of Your Accounting Firm

Unlock the full potential of ChatGPT in your accounting firm with Twyla Verhelst's practical insights. Discover the H.I.R.E. Framework and the MVP Ladder to transform AI from a simple tool into an essential team member,…

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Hiring

Stop Hiring, Start Thinking: How “Practice-Intelligence” Lets Small Firms Work Like Big Ones — Without Adding a Single Seat

The Firm 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Compliance

AML-Proof Your Practice: Getting Ahead of Tranche 2

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

Why Rachel Harris pays her team to fail - and thinks you should too

Rachel Harris, founder of StriveX and Accountant She, advocates for a radical shift in the accounting industry by embracing failure as a growth catalyst. Her innovative "fail fast" strategy empowers her team to…

Rachel Harris 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
M&A

Navigating M&A as an independent accounting firm

Nigel Adams 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

How to tune your accounting engine so it deserves to scale

To scale your accounting firm effectively, it's crucial to first ensure your internal processes are robust and efficient. Amy Holdsworth's guide emphasizes the importance of a clean tech stack, strict boundaries, and…

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

How smart firms use AI to save time, wow clients and scale without burning out

Discover how forward-thinking accounting firms are leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, wow clients, and support sustainable growth. This article explores practical applications of AI tools, from workplace assistants…

The Firm 8 min read 29 Nov 2025
Advisory

The real reason advisory services fail (and how to fix it)

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
Marketing

Why Jason Robinson says every accountant needs a podcast and a purpose

In 2024, accountants are evolving into thought leaders, and Jason Robinson advocates for the transformative power of purpose and podcasting. His insights reveal how sharing knowledge through platforms like podcasts can…

Jason Robinson 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

Web3 Accounting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Brave Accountants

Discover how Web3 is revolutionising accounting by enabling decentralised transactions and digital asset management. This beginner's guide offers essential insights for accountants eager to embrace the future of finance…

Electra Frost 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Marketing

Is playing it safe killing your accounting brand?

Andrew Van De Beek 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Advisory

Struggling with advisory? you’re not alone (and here’s how to fix it)

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

How to use the “Right People, Right Seats” strategy to build thriving teams

The "Right People, Right Seats" strategy is essential for accounting firms aiming to scale sustainably by aligning team members with roles that fit their strengths and values. By employing accountability charts and the…

Chad Davis 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

What happens when accounting firms stop resisting innovation and start embracing it

The Firm 2 min read 29 Nov 2025
Tax

Individual tax returns are holding you back and killing your profitability

Individual tax returns (ITRs) can stifle your accounting practice, leading to burnout and low profitability. This article highlights how shifting focus from ITRs to higher-value clients can revitalise your business,…

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

Why EOS is the secret weapon for scaling accountancy firms

Kat Wellum-Kent 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

MS Co-Pilot in action: How accounting firms are using it right now

Inbal Rodnay's insightful session on Microsoft Co-Pilot reveals how accounting firms are effectively integrating AI into their workflows. By leveraging Co-Pilot's contextual capabilities within Microsoft 365, firms can…

The Firm 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
Technology

The PE gold rush in accounting: Is it boom or bust?

Allan Koltin 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
M&A

A cross-atlantic perspective on M&A in accounting: key differences between the UK and USA

Allan Koltin 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
Opinion

Would you buy your own accounting firm? Why most sellers overestimate their firm’s value

The Firm 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

Why AI has no real use in accounting – yet

Freddie Bellhouse 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
Technology

How Beau built a free tool to reconcile Xero transactions using AI (with no subscription)

Chad Davis 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
M&A

Independent firms vs private equity: Will small practices survive the accounting revolution?

James Gosling 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

AI is here—how accountants can turn hype into hands-on gains

Discover how small-practice accountants can harness the power of AI to streamline operations and enhance client relationships. Learn practical strategies, including an eight-step prompt framework and real-world demos,…

The Firm 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Hiring

Hiring your first employee: the revenue benchmarks, red flags, and growth tips for year 1

Navigating the first year of running an accounting firm can be daunting, especially when considering hiring your first employee. This article outlines essential revenue benchmarks and red flags to watch for, ensuring…

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

From transcripts to actions: how AI turns conversations into real work

The Firm 2 min read 29 Nov 2025
Advisory

App advisory that pays: Turn tech advice into a profitable service

Transform your tech advice into a lucrative revenue stream by formalising app advisory services, as highlighted by Rob Stone at the Growth Club Summit. Discover how tools like AppVentory can enhance visibility into…

The Firm 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Tax

Why charging a % of a tax refund is unethical - and could breach the TPB code

Charging a percentage of a tax refund may seem appealing, but it can undermine trust and conflict with ethical guidelines set by industry bodies. This article explores the risks of this pricing model, including…

The Firm 6 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

Scaling with Soul: Safeguarding Culture as Your Firm Grows

As firms grow, maintaining a strong culture becomes crucial to avoid the pitfalls of rapid expansion. This article shares insights from industry experts on implementing deliberate hiring practices, establishing clear…

Jason Robinson 5 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

Stop fearing AI and start using it to help accountants do their best work

AI is revolutionising the accounting profession, enabling firms to automate tedious tasks like data entry and report generation. By embracing AI, accountants can focus on higher-value work, enhance client relationships,…

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
Operations

The real reason your practice management feel slow (and the 1 percent fixes that change everything)

Discover how small, incremental improvements can transform your accounting practice. Learn from expert Paul Murray about the power of marginal gains, leveraging existing tools, and fostering a culture of continuous…

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
Advisory

How to build and scale a profitable advisory service for your accounting firm

Unlock the potential of your accounting firm by transitioning into advisory services with actionable insights from David Ross. This article outlines a step-by-step approach, from selecting your advisory niche to scaling…

David Ross CA 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
Industry News

Celebrating the finalists and winners of the Xero Global App Awards 2025

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
Pricing

How to value price bookkeeping and annual accounts with confidence

Unlock the potential of your bookkeeping practice by shifting from hourly billing to value-based pricing. Learn how to confidently elevate your fees, stabilize your workload, and provide real benefits to clients through…

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025
AI in Accounting

Let ChatGPT do the heavy lifting on your prices – Mark Wickersham’s 5-minute system

Mark Wickersham's innovative approach combines generative AI with pricing strategy to streamline service pricing in just minutes. By utilising three effective prompt-templates with ChatGPT, accounting professionals can…

The Firm 3 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

9 Unmissable Sessions and Side Events at DCPA25

The Firm 7 min read 29 Nov 2025
M&A

Thinking of selling your firm? Here’s exactly what buyers will pay for (and what they won’t)

The Firm 8 min read 29 Nov 2025
Leadership

When your practice feels like a prison: A letter to the despondent accountant

The Firm 4 min read 29 Nov 2025