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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. How we rank →

Last updated: 24 Jul 2026

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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 five highest-scoring businesses from 17 analysed. Ranked on independent signals only. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you choose.

  • 1

    GoFi8ure

    ★ 4.9 73 reviews Top5 Score 154
    5★ 71 4★ 1 1★ 1

    GoFi8ure turns complex tax, reporting, and financial planning into straightforward processes for small business owners. Their Xero training and custom reporting guidance goes beyond standard compliance work, helping clients actually understand and act on their numbers.

    Reviews most often describe: Small businesses needing hands-on accounting and Xero support

    • ✓ Xero setup and custom reporting tips
    • ✓ Tax planning included alongside compliance
    • ✓ Financial coaching for business decisions

    location_on 85 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 2

    Long + Cowan Certified Accountants (Wellington)

    ↑ 3
    ★ 4.6 54 reviews +1 Top5 Score 147 +11
    5★ 47 4★ 1 3★ 1 1★ 5

    Long + Cowan coordinates outsourced financial accounting for organisations ranging from individual investors to established charities, covering monthly reporting through to audit liaison. Clients handling overseas investments or stock-related tax have noted that the team takes time to walk them through the details and offers planning advice beyond the immediate return.

    Reviews most often describe: Businesses and individuals with complex tax needs

    • ✓ Turns around tax returns within promised timeframes
    • ✓ Explains overseas investment tax clearly
    • ✓ Responsive to board-level reporting needs

    location_on Floor 2/276 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 3

    BW Miller Dean

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 30 reviews +2 Top5 Score 147 +3
    5★ 30

    BW Miller Dean builds long-term advisory relationships, helping business owners work through tax planning, overseas accounts, and cash flow strategy in plain language. Gary and the team send proactive reminders for payment dates and year-end paperwork, so clients stay on top of obligations without having to chase the detail themselves.

    Reviews most often describe: Small businesses wanting proactive tax and financial advice

    • ✓ Proactive payment and deadline reminders
    • ✓ Explains overseas tax implications clearly
    • ✓ Advises on business decisions beyond the numbers

    location_on Level 9/94 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 4

    Convex Accounting

    ↓ 1
    ★ 4.9 34 reviews Top5 Score 144 +1
    5★ 33 1★ 1

    Convex Accounting takes on messy or complicated situations and gets clients back on track, covering both business and personal accounts under one relationship. Specific team members like Hamish and Chelsea are named repeatedly by clients for breaking down complex financial jargon into plain language.

    Reviews most often describe: Small businesses wanting proactive financial guidance

    • ✓ Translates jargon into plain language
    • ✓ Proactive suggestions beyond compliance work
    • ✓ Responds to questions within hours

    location_on level 4/82 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 5

    Oak Park Chartered Accountants

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 25 reviews Top5 Score 141
    5★ 25

    Oak Park Chartered Accountants turns complex tax and sector-specific issues into plain language that clients can act on, including pharmacies navigating MOH payment structures. Free advice during periods like the Covid shutdown is something long-term clients point to as a genuine part of how the firm operates.

    Reviews most often describe: Small businesses and pharmacy operators wanting proactive advice

    • ✓ Same-day or next-day responses
    • ✓ Sector expertise in pharmacy accounting
    • ✓ Proactive tax rule updates unprompted

    location_on Level 6/95 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?

Before you choose an accountant in Wellington

Common themes, pricing patterns, and watch-outs drawn from customer reviews and independent research.

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.

More top accountants in Wellington

The next five highest-scoring accountants in Wellington. Worth considering if your first choices aren't available.

  • 6

    Go2 Chartered Accountants Ltd

    ★ 5.0 17 reviews +1 Top5 Score 137 +2
    5★ 17

    Go2 Chartered Accountants Ltd works across multiple companies, trusts, and individual family members under one roof, making it well suited to clients with layered financial arrangements. Jocelyn and the team are known for explaining tax situations in plain terms so clients leave each year actually understanding their position.

    Reviews most often describe: Individuals and families with complex tax structures

    • ✓ Tax advice across trusts and companies
    • ✓ Explains tax position each year
    • ✓ Long-term client relationships spanning decades

    location_on Bell Gully Building Level 2/40 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 7

    Outside Accounting

    ★ 4.8 20 reviews -1 Top5 Score 135
    5★ 19 1★ 1

    Outside Accounting grows alongside small businesses, handling everything from GST returns and end-of-year statements to process maps and management reports as clients scale. Clients based outside Wellington, including Auckland and Tauranga, regularly note that the distance creates no friction in getting work done.

    Reviews most often describe: Small businesses and rental property owners wanting hands-on accounting support

    • ✓ Explains tax in plain language
    • ✓ Responds promptly to questions big and small
    • ✓ Works with rental property tax issues

    location_on Level 1/8 Tennyson Street, Te Aro, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 8

    Simple Accounting Services

    ★ 4.7 12 reviews Top5 Score 128
    5★ 11 1★ 1

    Simple Accounting Services gets freelancers and small business owners comfortable with their finances, including setting them up on Xero. Long-term relationships spanning eight or more years point to a firm that earns ongoing trust rather than just handling one-off jobs.

    Reviews most often describe: Small and medium businesses wanting straightforward accounting

    • ✓ Xero setup and onboarding
    • ✓ Serves freelancers and small business
    • ✓ Long-term client retention

    location_on 9 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 9

    Laurenson Chartered Accountants

    ★ 5.0 9 reviews Top5 Score 128
    5★ 9

    location_on Level One/236 Middleton Road, Glenside, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 10

    All Accounted For Ltd

    ★ 4.6 11 reviews Top5 Score 126
    5★ 10 1★ 1

    location_on 271 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?

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About this ranking

How are Wellington's top Accountants chosen? expand_more

We assess every Accountants business in Wellington against public ratings and review data using a consistent, published method. See how we rank for the full methodology. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-based and cannot be purchased. At the last update, scores in the top 5 ranged from 141 to 154 points.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Rankings are refreshed regularly. This list was last updated in 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. Verified businesses may be able to update their listing details in future, but this will never affect ranking positions.

Why isn't my Accountants business listed? expand_more

We pull from local search results for each category and city. If you're missing, the most common reasons are an incorrect Google Business category or too few recent reviews. At the last update, the lowest-ranked business in the top 10 had 9 reviews. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.