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Accountants in Wellington - Costs, Best Firms and What You Need to Know

​Our guide lists the best accountants in Wellington for property investors, self-employed professionals and small businesses, including costs, services, and how to choose the right firm for your needs.
Updated 03 November 2025
Summary
  • Wellington's accounting landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years. While the Big Four firms dominate new Wellington office blocks (PwC and Deloitte being examples), a thriving ecosystem of mid-sized and boutique firms has emerged to serve property investors, contractors, and growing businesses with more personalised service at competitive rates.
  • Finding the right accountant in Wellington is about matching your needs with their expertise. You may need help managing GST, preparing financial statements for lenders and shareholders, you may be a property investor navigating deductible expenses, or running a small business; the difference between average and exceptional accounting support can save thousands of dollars annually.
  • This guide explains what Wellington accountants charge, which firms excel at specific services, and how to avoid common pitfalls when choosing professional support.

Our guide covers:
Know This First:
  • Hourly rates in Wellington range from $150-$350, though you'll often find better value in fixed annual packages that include everything you need
  • Property investors should budget between $800 and $2,000+ per rental property each year for proper tax management and compliance work
  • If you're self-employed or contracting, expect to invest somewhere between $1,500 and $4,000 annually in professional accounting support - the complexity of your situation drives the cost
  • Small business owners typically budget between $3,000 and $10,000 yearly for comprehensive accounting services, including strategic advice
  • While changing accountants midway through the financial year isn't impossible, it creates unnecessary complications and additional fees - taking time to find the right fit initially saves both money and problems

Understanding the Services Wellington Accountants Provide

Our view is simple - modern Wellington accounting firms function more like financial partners, developing specialised knowledge in specific industries and client situations.
This shift from compliance to advisory means the right accountant can genuinely transform your financial position rather than just reporting on it.

Today's best accountants don't just process paperwork - they actively identify opportunities and solve problems before they become expensive mistakes. Their value comes from understanding exactly which strategies work for Wellington businesses and property investors, turning that knowledge into real savings and better financial outcomes for their clients.

Typical services include:

1) Core Accounting Services
  • Every reputable Wellington firm provides fundamental services, including annual tax returns, financial statement preparation, GST returns and compliance, provisional tax calculations, and IRD correspondence management.
  • These baseline services form the foundation, but the real value lies in specialised expertise.

2) Property Investment Accounting
  • With Wellington's property market complexity, specialist property accountants help investors navigate interest deductibility rules, what's deductible (and what's not), depreciation and chattels valuations, and structuring advice for LTCs and trusts.
  • We believe that the right property accountant often identifies deductions worth 2-5 times their annual fee.

3) Self-Employed and Contractor Services
  • There is a demand for accountants who understand the needs of contractors. They provide maximisation of home office deductions, optimisation of vehicle expenses, income smoothing strategies, management of ACC levies, and transition planning from PAYE to self-employment.
  • Many offer quarterly check-ins to prevent year-end tax surprises and manage provisional tax.

4) Small Business Accounting
  • Beyond compliance, quality business accountants deliver cash flow forecasting and management, break-even analysis, pricing strategy support, expansion planning, and succession planning.
  • The best firms act as virtual CFOs, providing strategic insight alongside number-crunching.

Accountant Costs in Wellington

​Our research suggests the following costs:

Hourly Rates by Experience Level
  • Intermediate accountants (1-5 years): $150-$250 per hour
  • Senior accountants (5-10 years): $250-$400 per hour
  • Partners/Directors: $350-$600 per hour

Note: Many firms blend rates, so your actual cost averages across team members

Fixed-Fee Packages (Typical Annual Costs)

Individual Tax Returns
  • Simple PAYE only: $350-$500 + GST
  • With rental property: $800-$1,500 + GST
  • Multiple properties: $1,500-$4,000 + GST
  • Complex investments: $2,000-$4,000

Note: Complexity of investments, multiple income streams, or tax residency issues can increase fees.

Self-Employed/Contractors
  • Basic sole trader: $1,500-$2,500 + GST
  • With GST registration: $2,000-$3,500 + GST
  • Multiple income streams: $3,000-$5,000 + GST

Small Business
  • Company + 2 shareholders: $2,500-$5,000 + GST
  • Plus monthly reporting: $5,000-$8,000 + GST
  • Full-service CFO support: $8,000-$15,000 + GST

​Note: Larger firms or highly complex businesses may exceed these ranges.

There Are Different Types of Accounting Firms - What Do I Need to Know?

​Wellington accounting firms come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own focus areas and pricing models. Understanding these differences helps you match your needs to the right type of firm:
  • Property-focused firms - Specialise exclusively in rental properties, understanding every deduction and structure available. They charge more but often pay for themselves through tax savings. Best suited for those who own multiple properties or require complex structuring advice.
  • Cloud accounting specialists - Run everything online through Xero, MYOB or similar platforms. Usually charge 15-20% less than traditional firms, and it's perfect if you want real-time access to your numbers from anywhere.
  • Traditional mid-sized firms - Established players with 10-50 staff members who've been around for decades. They offer every service under one roof, catering to businesses seeking stability and long-term relationships.
  • Contractor and freelancer specialists - These firms understand the unique needs of IT contractors, tradies, and consultants. They know every legitimate deduction in your industry and help manage irregular income flows.

How to Choose the Right Accountant

​Many people waste money hiring accountants for the wrong reasons. If you just need someone to file a basic tax return, any qualified accountant will do. But if you're juggling rental properties, running a business, or trying to structure your finances properly, you need someone who deals with your exact situation every day.
We suggest writing down your main pain points and what you want to solve - this makes things easier when you start approaching accountants.

Three questions we suggest asking:
  1. "How many clients exactly like me do you have?" - You want specifics. If they're vague or say "lots", move on. The best accountants will name a number and explain what makes those clients successful.
  2. "Who is doing the actual work?" - It's often the case that junior staff do the work - there's nothing wrong with that if seniors check everything, but you deserve to know who's handling your finances.
  3. "How fast do you work?" - Standard tax returns should take 5-10 business days max. If they're talking weeks, they're either swamped or inefficient.

What to Expect From Your Accountant

We outline the typical process below:

​Step 1: Initial Consultation (Usually Free, 30-45 minutes)
  • A quality accountant will review your current situation without judgment, identify immediate tax savings opportunities, explain their service approach and fees clearly, and provide a written engagement letter with transparent pricing. They should ask about your goals, not just your tax history.

Step 2: Onboarding Process
  • Depending on your needs and the services you require, you may need to provide 2-3 years of previous tax returns, bank statements for all accounts, investment documentation, and business records, if applicable.
  • Good firms have secure portals for document transfer and clear checklists of requirements. The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Step 3: Throughout the Year
  • Your accountant should provide proactive tax planning advice, deadline reminders well in advance, provisional tax advice, responses to queries within 48 hours, and quarterly or semi-annual check-ins for business clients.
  • The best firms educate clients rather than creating dependency.

Warning: If you experience pressure to use aggressive tax strategies, an unwillingness to provide information and explanations to simple questions, a vague fee structure (and/or the risk of unexpected charges), poor communication, or weeks-long response times to questions, we suggest reconsidering moving ahead with this accountant.

MoneyHub's Top Wellington Accountants

Our list below covers Central, East, West, North and South Wellington. We have selected these based on their established presence within Wellington's business community, specialisation areas, and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, professional directories, client testimonials, industry forums, and other sources.

Beyond standard tax returns, the accountants below all have experience with property investment portfolios, self-employed professionals, small to medium businesses, and complex tax situations. This includes rental property structures, contractor arrangements, trust management, and GST-registered businesses.

​Know this: You're not obligated to stay with your current accountant if they're not delivering value. More importantly, you don't have to use the accountant your real estate agent, mortgage broker, or business associate recommends - even if they insist it would be "easier." Shop around, ask the hard questions we've outlined in this guide, and choose based on expertise and fit, not convenience or pressure.

Convex Accounting

Chartered accounting and advisory firm offering compliance, business strategy and virtual CFO services. Based in Wellington with offices in Porirua and Upper Hutt, they also partner with Convex Legal to provide integrated accounting and legal support.

Services include:
  • Compliance accounting and business advice
  • Tax and financial reporting
  • Virtual CFO services and financial strategy
  • Legal coordination through Convex Legal

What makes them different: Convex Accounting partners with clients to support long-term business growth and wealth creation, going beyond short-term compliance. By combining accounting expertise with strategic insights and integrated legal support, they help businesses across New Zealand operate efficiently without managing multiple providers.

Contact

Oak Park Chartered Accountants

Boutique Wellington‑based chartered accounting firm specialising in advisory work for owner‑managed businesses and niche industry sectors. The firm was incorporated in 2008. 

Services include:
  • Business advisory, strategic planning and financial modelling for small to medium enterprises
  • Compliance services including tax, GST and entity structuring
  • Industry‑specific specialist accounting support (notably the pharmacy sector)
  • Free resources including video library to help clients stay informed

What makes them different: Oak Park Chartered Accountants focus on providing advisory‑driven accounting rather than simply compliance work. Their niche expertise in sectors such as pharmacy allows the firm to deliver insights tailored to industry dynamics.

Contact

GoFi8ure

Accounting, bookkeeping and advisory firm offering mobile‑friendly services for SMEs and contractors, headquartered in Wellington and also operating in other parts of New Zealand.

Services:
  • Accounting and tax services for contractors, sole‑traders, partnerships, SMEs and not‑for‑profits
  • Bookkeeping, payroll and bank/GST reconciliation services
  • Business advisory and financial strategy support for small businesses
  • Cloud accounting systems, Xero training and implementation support 

What makes them different: GoFi8ure brings a mobile‑first approach (they can come to your office), which suits small businesses seeking flexible support rather than traditional fixed‑location firms. They combine bookkeeping, accounting and tech training under one roof, making it easier for SMEs to keep all financial‑ops managed in one place.

Contact

Outside Accounting

Specialist chartered accounting and advisory practice based in Wellington, serving SMEs and property investors across New Zealand.

Services include:
  • Accounting, tax and business advisory with a proactive focus on each client’s drivers and goals
  • Year‑end financial statements, GST, PAYE, compliance work tailored for growing businesses and farms
  • Business‑planning, cash‑flow optimisation and farm succession services
  • Xero and cloud accounting system support, process‑improvement, and “no fine‑print” engagement models 

What makes them different: They describe themselves as “more than your stereotypical accountants,” combining high‑energy, modern approaches with deep business insight, working closely with clients to engineer time and means so owners can focus on what they love.

Contact

Affinity Accounting & Advisory

Specialist Wellington‑based boutique accounting and advisory firm supporting SMEs, not‑for‑profits and investors with compliance, strategy and cloud‑tech solutions.

Services include:
  • Preparation of year‑end accounts, tax returns and IRD liaison
  • Business advisory, planning, forecasting, budgeting and quarterly coaching
  • Cloud accounting integration and technology support (notably Xero)
  • Fixed-fee monthly packages to give cost certainty

What makes them different: They emphasise a “people before numbers” philosophy, working closely with clients to understand their goals and provide tailored support rather than standard compliance-only work. Their fixed-fee model helps remove surprises and aligns service with growth and clarity for the business.

Contact

Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants Wellington

Established in 1940, this Wellington‑based chartered accounting firm combines decades of experience with modern cloud‑accounting solutions to serve small to medium enterprises. 
​
Services include:
  • General & business accounting (financial, statutory and management accounting) 
  • Tax compliance (income tax, GST, PAYE, FBT) 
  • Business advisory (business structure, planning, cash‑flow forecasting) 
  • Cloud accounting systems support (including Xero migration/integration)

What makes them different: They offer a highly personalised service where clients deal with the same accounting manager each year, and they bring over 75 years of Wellington‑region experience together with up‑to‑date accountancy technology to help turn business challenges into opportunities.

Contact:

BW Miller Dean

Established accounting and advisory firm based in Wellington, supporting business owners in designing their business on their terms. 
Services include:
  • Solid foundations: business structure, systems set‑up and planning
  • Spot‑on accounts: meticulous bookkeeping, ledgers, reconciliations and management accounts
  • Continuous tracking: performance metrics, business dashboards, forecasting and monitoring
  • Compliance: statutory accounts, tax returns, GST, PAYE and regulatory requirements
  • The bigger picture: strategic advisory, growth planning, business evolution and exit or legacy planning 

What makes them different: They focus not only on the numbers but on helping business owners craft their business to support the lifestyle they want, communicating in plain‑English and aligning their advice to the client’s personality and vision.

Contact

PKF Kendons (Chartered Accountants)

Established Wellington‑region chartered accounting and business advisory firm delivering audit, tax, advisory and digital services to a diverse client base. 

Services include:
  • Business development and advisory services
  • Tax and compliance (including individual, company, trust, GST) 
  • Audit and reviews for companies, not‑for‑profits, trust accounts, AML/CFT 
  • Digital and technology services - cloud accounting systems, software integration

What makes them different: They take a personalised, forward‑thinking approach focused on building long‑term client success rather than just ticking compliance boxes; they maintain strong local roots while being part of the global PKF International network, combining regional familiarity with international‑network resources.

Contact:

Frequently Asked Questions

When's the best time to switch accountants if I'm unhappy with my current one?

The best time is usually right after March 31st, when your tax year ends. Your old accountant must legally release your files - you'll want to settle any outstanding fees first to keep things smooth. Your new accountant will handle the transfer process, as they do this regularly and are familiar with the necessary documents required from your previous firm.

How do I actually get value from my accountant instead of just paying for basic compliance?

The clients who win are those who treat their accountant as a business advisor, not a compliance expert. We suggest that you arrive at meetings with organised paperwork and genuine questions about your financial situation.

When they suggest strategies, actually implement them. Respond to their requests within 24 hours - your delays create rush jobs for them. Most importantly, call them before making big financial decisions, not after you've already committed.

Should I use a big-name firm or a smaller local accountant?

For most Wellington property investors and small businesses, mid-sized or boutique firms offer better value than Big Four (EY, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG). They charge less, you'll deal with senior personnel directly, and they often have deeper expertise in specific areas, such as property or contracting. The key is matching their specialty to your needs.

What's the real difference between a $500 and $2,000 accountant?

Price usually reflects complexity and expertise, not quality.
  • A $500 accountant handles straightforward PAYE returns perfectly well.
  • The $2,000 accountant manages multiple properties, understands every possible deduction, provides tax planning throughout the year, and often saves you more than their fee through strategic advice.
  • If your situation is straightforward, avoid overpaying. If it's complex, the expensive accountant often pays for themselves.​

Can I claim my accounting fees as a tax deduction?

Yes, but only the portion related to earning income. If you're self-employed or own rental properties, your accounting fees are generally fully deductible. For regular employees, you can only claim the cost of preparing the income-earning parts of your return. Your accountant should automatically factor this into your return - if they don't, ask why.

Is it worth paying extra for a property specialist accountant?

If you own more than two rentals or have complex structures, such as LTCs, trusts or companies, then you may find value in paying for an accountant. Property specialists know every legitimate deduction, understand the latest interest deductibility rules, and can structure your portfolio for maximum tax efficiency.

They typically cost 20-30% more than generalists but often identify savings worth several times their fee. One rental property? A general accountant is fine.​

Should I use accounting software or hire an accountant?

They serve different purposes. Software like Xero or MYOB tracks your day-to-day finances but won't provide strategic advice or ensure you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to.

Most successful businesses use both software for bookkeeping and accountants for compliance and strategy. If your situation is genuinely simple (one job, no investments), software alone might suffice. Add any complexity and you need human expertise.​
Important
  • This guide reflects Wellington's accounting market based on current research and typical pricing.
  • Your specific situation will determine actual costs and requirements.
  • As always, professional advice tailored to your circumstances beats generic guidance (such as that provided by this guide).
  • Prices and services mentioned are indicative only and subject to individual firm policies.
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