Best Accountants in Wellington: 5 Trusted Chartered Firms
Wellington has real depth in the accounting market – from global-brand chartered firms to independent chartered accountants, boutique tax specialists, and firms focused on small business advisory. This shortlist covers five Wellington accountancy practices, starting with Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants, a Wellington-based chartered firm delivering business advisory, tax, and audit services across the region.
Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants is a Wellington-based chartered accountancy firm providing full-service accounting, tax, and business advisory to Wellington businesses and individuals. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand accredited, the firm handles the standard scope – annual accounts, GST and PAYE, tax planning, and business advisory – alongside more specialised advice for property investment, trusts, and small-business structuring. Known locally for a practical, straightforward approach rather than a big-firm layered service model.
Services
- Annual financial statements and tax returns
- GST, PAYE, and payroll compliance
- Business advisory and cash flow planning
- Property investment and trust accounting
- Small business structuring and advisory
Highlights
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand accredited
- Full-service Wellington-based firm
- Straightforward, practical approach
- Coverage for both businesses and individuals
- Long-established local practice
Customer Feedback
Location & Contact
Name: Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants
Address: Wellington
Phone: 04 472 7919
Email: we********@**********co.nz
Website: longcowan.co.nz
Contact Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants via Email
2BDO Wellington

BDO Wellington is the local Wellington branch of BDO, one of the largest global chartered accountancy networks. Based in Duncan Cotterill House on Customhouse Quay, BDO handles the full range of chartered accounting, audit, tax, and business advisory work with the scale and specialist depth of a global firm. Best suited to mid-sized businesses, international clients, and companies wanting audit-quality chartered work under a globally-recognised brand.
Services
- Chartered accounting and tax
- Statutory audit
- Business advisory and consulting
- Corporate finance and transaction services
- International tax and cross-border advice
Highlights
- Global BDO network – one of NZ’s largest firms
- Full audit capability
- Customhouse Quay CBD location
- Specialist teams across tax, corporate, and advisory
- International reach for cross-border clients
Location & Contact
Name: BDO Wellington
Address: Level 1, Duncan Cotterill House, 50 Customhouse Quay, Wellington 6011
Phone: 04 472 5850
Website: bdo.nz
3Moore Markhams Wellington

Moore Markhams Wellington is part of the Moore Global network, offering trusted accounting, tax, and independent audit services to businesses and organisations across the wider Wellington region. Full-service chartered firm with additional specialisation in independent audit and assurance work. Suits mid-sized businesses and organisations wanting a national-network firm with audit capability under one roof.
Services
- Chartered accounting and tax
- Independent audit and assurance
- Business advisory
- Not-for-profit and charity audit
- Trust and estate accounting
Highlights
- Part of the Moore Global network
- Combined chartered + audit capability
- Wellington-wide coverage
- Full-service mid-market firm
- Not-for-profit sector expertise
Location & Contact
Name: Moore Markhams Wellington
Address: Wellington
Phone: 04 494 5220
Website: markhams.co.nz
4Count On Us

Count On Us is a Kilbirnie-based accounting practice serving Wellington small businesses and individuals with a friendly, approachable style. Independent chartered firm with a focus on being reachable and responsive – not layered under multiple partners. Suits small business owners, sole traders, and individuals wanting straightforward chartered advice without corporate overheads.
Services
- Small business accounting
- Individual tax returns and IR3
- GST and payroll compliance
- Sole trader and contractor accounting
- Rental property accounts
Highlights
- Kilbirnie-based independent firm
- Focus on small business and individuals
- Approachable, direct communication style
- Reachable owner-operator model
- No corporate layer between client and accountant
Location & Contact
Name: Count On Us
Address: Kilbirnie, Wellington
Phone: 04 387 8113
Website: countonus.co.nz
5All Accounted For

All Accounted For is a Wellington CBD chartered accounting firm on Willis Street, offering accounting, business, and tax advisory to Wellington businesses. Focused specifically on small business advisory and cash flow management alongside standard chartered work. Approachable independent firm with a strong local reputation for practical business coaching alongside compliance work.
Services
- Chartered accounting and tax
- Small business advisory
- Cash flow management and forecasting
- Business coaching alongside compliance
- GST and payroll compliance
Highlights
- CBD Willis Street location
- Small business advisory specialists
- Chartered accounting + business coaching combined
- Approachable, hands-on approach
- Focus on cash flow and forecasting
Location & Contact
Name: All Accounted For
Address: Ground Floor, 271 Willis Street, Wellington 6011
Phone: 04 970 1182
Website: aafl.nz
Accountants in Wellington at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Long & Cowan Chartered Accountants | Wellington | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand accredited |
| BDO Wellington | Duncan Cotterill House | Global BDO network - one of NZ's largest firms |
| Moore Markhams Wellington | Wellington | Part of the Moore Global network |
| Count On Us | Wellington | Kilbirnie-based independent firm |
| All Accounted For | Wellington | CBD Willis Street location |
How to Choose the Right Accountant in Wellington
- Match firm size to your scale – global brands (BDO) suit larger and international clients; independent firms suit small business and individuals.
- Confirm Chartered Accountants ANZ accreditation for standard chartered work.
- Ask whether audit is available in-house if required.
- Check for industry specialisation – property investment, not-for-profit, small business.
- Confirm software and reporting workflow (Xero, MYOB) matches yours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wellington Accountants
How much do Wellington accountants charge?
Wellington accountants typically charge $150-$350 per hour depending on seniority and specialisation. Fixed-fee packages for annual accounts + tax returns are common – typically $1,200-$3,500 for a small business depending on complexity.
Do Wellington accountants work with Xero?
Yes. Most Wellington chartered firms are Xero-certified. Confirm at engagement whether they support Xero, MYOB, or other software – workflow around your software matters more than the software itself.
Which Wellington accountants do audit work?
BDO Wellington and Moore Markhams both offer independent audit and assurance alongside chartered accounting. Smaller independent firms typically don’t hold audit capability.
Do Wellington accountants advise on property investment?
Yes. Long & Cowan and several other Wellington firms have property investment expertise, including trust and rental accounting. Ask about your specific investment structure at engagement.
When should I engage a Wellington accountant?
For business start-ups, engage before you incorporate to get the structure right. For established businesses, ideally before year-end to plan tax. For individuals with rental or investment income, engage before your first return.
Can Wellington accountants help with business advisory beyond compliance?
Yes. All Accounted For and Count On Us both offer active business advisory and coaching alongside standard compliance work. BDO and Moore Markhams have specialist consulting teams for larger engagements.
How We Chose the Best Accountants in Wellington
Every business in this guide was found by searching for accountants in Wellington, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Wellington, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.
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