Best Accountants in Wellington
We assessed 17 accountants in Wellington and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 285 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 24 July 2026. How we rank →
Before you hire
A good accountant does more than file your returns. They flag issues before they become problems and help you make better financial decisions through the year. Ask how they communicate proactively (not just at tax time), whether they have clients in your industry, and what accounting software they work with.
Top 5 Accountants in Wellington
The top 5 accountants in Wellington are GoFi8ure, Long + Cowan, BW Miller Dean, Convex Accounting, and Oak Park, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you choose.
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1
GoFi8ure
★ 4.9 73 reviews Top5 Score 1545★ 71 4★ 1 1★ 1GoFi8ure works across tax planning, Xero setup and reporting, and financial coaching for small business owners, with Lisa and Gabby named repeatedly by long-term clients across all three areas. They get clients to a point where business decisions are grounded in data they can actually trust, rather than numbers that feel out of reach.
Reviews most often describe: Small businesses wanting hands-on accounting and financial coaching
- ✓ Sets up Xero and trains clients to understand their own numbers
- ✓ Responds quickly when problems need sorting between scheduled work
- ✓ Financial coaching helps clients improve strategy and business processes
location_on 85 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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2
Long + Cowan Certified Accountants (Wellington)
↑ 3★ 4.6 54 reviews +1 Top5 Score 147 +115★ 47 4★ 1 3★ 1 1★ 5Long + Cowan coordinates outsourced financial accounting across monthly reporting, annual financial statements, tax returns, and auditor liaison, covering both business clients and individuals with overseas investments. Ben, Leanna, and Cong are named directly by clients who rely on them for board-level financial insight and day-to-day responsiveness.
Reviews most often describe: Businesses and individuals needing outsourced ongoing accounting
- ✓ Tax returns for overseas and stock investments handled with clarity
- ✓ Responsive to client questions throughout the engagement, not just at completion
- ✓ Outsourced accounting includes monthly and annual reporting coordination
location_on Floor 2/276 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington
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3
BW Miller Dean
↓ 1★ 5.0 30 reviews +2 Top5 Score 147 +35★ 30BW Miller Dean handles tax returns, trust accounting, company wind-downs, and ongoing business advisory for clients who stay for decades, not just a year or two. Partners Gary and Clayton are named directly by clients for translating complex tax obligations and overseas account implications into plain language, then following through with proactive advice that shapes real business decisions.
Reviews most often describe: Long-term clients with complex tax and business needs
- ✓ Proactive payment and year-end reminders sent to clients by email
- ✓ Partners engage directly with senior management on business strategy
- ✓ Explains overseas tax implications in plain language for business owners
location_on Level 9/94 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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4
Convex Accounting
↓ 1★ 4.9 34 reviews Top5 Score 144 +15★ 33 1★ 1Convex Accounting gets small business owners from compliance basics to genuine financial strategy, covering tax, payroll, Xero, bookkeeping, and business planning in one place. Hamish, Chris, and Chelsea are named directly by clients for translating complex financial concepts into plain language and making themselves available when questions come up between the set appointments.
Reviews most often describe: Business owners wanting strategic advice beyond compliance work
- ✓ Breaks down complex financial jargon into plain everyday language
- ✓ Proactively suggests improvements without waiting to be asked
- ✓ Long-term clients across both business and personal accounts
location_on level 4/82 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington
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5
Oak Park Chartered Accountants
↓ 1★ 5.0 25 reviews Top5 Score 1415★ 25Oak Park turns complex financial and tax situations into plain language for business owners, property investors, and pharmacy operators, with Hugh named repeatedly by long-term clients across all three areas. Free advice during difficult periods like Covid shutdowns, retirement planning sessions, and keeping clients across changing tax rules are all part of how they work with people.
Reviews most often describe: Business owners and investors wanting proactive ongoing advice
- ✓ Clients kept informed as tax rules and regulations change
- ✓ Free advice provided outside the scope of standard engagements
- ✓ Responds to client questions within a day of being contacted
location_on Level 6/95 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington
Before you choose an accountant in Wellington
Drawn from 181 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.
What do accountants typically charge in New Zealand? expand_more
Annual accounts and a tax return for a sole trader or small company cost between $500 and $2,500 with most Wellington firms. Hourly rates for chartered accountants run from $150 to $350, with complex work or senior partners at the higher end. Fixed-fee packages are the norm for standard compliance work, covering financial statements, tax return preparation, and IRD filing. Always confirm whether the quoted fee includes GST and whether bookkeeping, GST returns, or advisory calls are charged on top.
What's the difference between a Chartered Accountant and a bookkeeper? expand_more
A Chartered Accountant holds a formal qualification through CA ANZ, which authorises them to provide tax advice, prepare statutory financial statements, and represent you in an IRD dispute. A bookkeeper handles the day-to-day work: recording transactions, bank reconciliations, payroll, and GST returns, but the title is unregulated in New Zealand, so anyone can use it. Bookkeepers charge $35 to $80 per hour, making them cost-effective for routine tasks, while a CA is worth engaging for end-of-year accounts, tax planning, and any complex compliance. For a small business with straightforward finances, pairing a bookkeeper with a CA for seasonal compliance work is a practical and cost-efficient approach.
What does proactive tax advice actually look like, versus just filing returns? expand_more
Proactive advice means your accountant contacts you before deadlines, flags payment dates, and identifies opportunities in your structure or timing without waiting to be asked. Several reviewers specifically noted receiving help with complex areas like overseas tax implications and business structures, and one client credited their accountant with helping them spot a client opportunity during a monthly check-in. To test whether an accountant is proactive or reactive, ask them directly how they communicate between annual filings and whether they have identified any planning opportunities for clients in your industry.
What are the warning signs of an accountant you shouldn't use? expand_more
- –Billing for work that was never discussed or agreed to upfront is a clear red flag, and at least one reviewer flagged being charged for a consultation despite a free consultation being advertised on the firm's website.
- –A firm that waits for you to chase them rather than sending reminders about payment dates or filing deadlines is operating below the standard you should expect.
- –Vague or absent scope-of-service documentation leaves you exposed to unexpected fees and gives you no basis for disputing charges.
- –A single review flagging ethics concerns, even without detail, is worth taking seriously when you are handing over full financial access.
- –Lack of clarity about what is included in the annual fee versus what triggers an additional charge is a sign of poor client management.
- –Accountants who only process what you give them without asking about your structure, plans, or changes in your business are providing compliance-only service, not advice.
What should you ask before hiring an accountant? expand_more
- –Ask what is included in the fixed fee and what will be charged additionally, specifically whether GST returns, payroll, advisory calls, and IRD correspondence are covered.
- –Ask how they communicate between annual filings: do they send proactive reminders and flag issues, or do they wait for you to make contact.
- –Ask how they handle an IRD query or audit, including whether that work is billed separately and at what rate.
- –Ask what their turnaround time is on email or phone queries, as responsiveness is one of the clearest differentiators in the reviews.
- –Ask whether they have worked with businesses in your industry or with your specific structure, such as a trust, multiple entities, or overseas income.
- –Ask for a written engagement letter that spells out scope, fees, and responsibilities before any work begins.
Accountants ranked 6 to 10 in Wellington
They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.
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6
Go2 Chartered Accountants Ltd
★ 5.0 17 reviews +1 Top5 Score 137 +25★ 17Go2 Chartered Accountants covers tax returns, trust accounting, and company tax across multiple entities for individuals and families who stay as clients for ten, twenty, even twenty-five years. Jocelyn is named directly by long-term clients for explaining tax situations in terms that build genuine confidence in financial decisions, year after year.
Reviews most often describe: Individuals and families with multi-entity tax complexity
- ✓ Manages tax and accounts across companies, trusts, and individuals together
- ✓ Clients report understanding their tax position clearly each year
- ✓ Responsive communication keeps clients across their situation between appointments
location_on Bell Gully Building Level 2/40 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Wellington Central, Wellington
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7
Outside Accounting
★ 4.8 20 reviews -1 Top5 Score 1355★ 19 1★ 1Outside Accounting takes on small business accounting, tax returns, rental property taxation, GST returns, and end-of-year financials, working with clients across New Zealand regardless of location. Harriet, Tom, Sarah, Gus, Cam, and Susie are named across multiple reviews for breaking financial concepts into plain language and staying genuinely involved as clients grow.
Reviews most often describe: Growing small businesses wanting proactive, ongoing accounting support
- ✓ Explains accounting and tax concepts in everyday language, not jargon
- ✓ Handles rental property tax returns for clients new to property taxation
- ✓ Works effectively with clients located outside Wellington, fully remote
location_on Level 1/8 Tennyson Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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8
Simple Accounting Services
★ 4.7 12 reviews Top5 Score 1285★ 11 1★ 1Simple Accounting clears through complex bundles of accounts and gets clients set up on Xero, keeping things straightforward for freelancers, small businesses, and multi-entity operators alike. Bruce is named across multiple reviews for making the process easy and getting it done without pushing unnecessary extras, at a price point clients find fair.
Reviews most often describe: Small businesses and freelancers wanting no-fuss ongoing accounting
- ✓ Sorts complex accounts without upselling additional services to clients
- ✓ Long-term clients report eight or more years of continued use
- ✓ Works with small freelancers and small-to-medium businesses alike
location_on 9 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington
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9
Laurenson Chartered Accountants
★ 5.0 9 reviews Top5 Score 1285★ 9Laurenson Chartered Accountants pairs business owners with named accountants who carry real knowledge of their specific situation, covering Xero setup, ongoing bookkeeping, and business guidance across industries from landscaping to retail. Keitha, Arran, and Kinjal are each named by clients who stayed for years, with issues sorted on the first contact rather than bounced between staff.
Reviews most often describe: Small business owners wanting a named, reliable accountant
- ✓ Named accountant retains deep knowledge of your specific business
- ✓ Messy or DIY Xero accounts sorted without the client starting over
- ✓ Refunds and account changes processed the same day they are requested
location_on Level One/236 Middleton Road, Glenside, Wellington
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10
All Accounted For Ltd
★ 4.6 11 reviews Top5 Score 1265★ 10 1★ 1All Accounted For covers tax advice, property management accounting, and business planning, with Ben named across multiple reviews for keeping clients across complex tax rules and turning financial complexity into clear, actionable steps. Regular meetings and proactive contact between those meetings mean clients stay informed at each stage rather than waiting until year-end to understand where they stand.
Reviews most often describe: Business owners needing tax expertise and strategic financial advice
- ✓ Regular scheduled meetings to keep clients across their financial position
- ✓ Proactive contact initiated by the team between formal meetings
- ✓ Tax advice broken down visually to clarify complex business structures
location_on 271 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Related Wellington rankings
About this ranking
How are the top accountants in Wellington chosen? expand_more
We build this page from Google Maps results for accountants in Wellington. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.
How often are rankings updated? expand_more
Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 24 July 2026.
Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more
No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.
Why isn't my business listed? expand_more
We build this page from Google Maps results for accountants in Wellington. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 9. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.