- Check an online accountant's TPB registration before you hand over your tax affairs.
- Compare inclusions, not price: BAS and tax returns are often charged separately.
- Fixed-fee bundles usually suit Pty Ltd companies with regular BAS and bookkeeping.
- Sole traders with simple affairs may only need a once-a-year online tax return.
Choosing the best online accountant Australia has to offer comes down to three things: what the fee covers, who does the work and whether the service suits your business structure. Most online accountants now offer fixed fees, cloud software and a named contact, but the scope behind those headline prices ranges from a single tax return to a fully managed online small business accountant service. We’ve compared six options below, including our own, and been upfront about where each one wins.
What is an online accountant, and how is it different from a local firm?
An online accountant does the same regulated work as a traditional practice, including bookkeeping, BAS and tax returns, but delivers it through cloud software, bank feeds and phone or video calls instead of office visits. Your records sit on a shared platform such as Xero accounting software, so your accountant sees transactions as they happen rather than in a box of receipts at year end.
For small business owners, the main differences are:
- Pricing: most online accountants for small business charge a fixed monthly or annual fee, while many local firms still bill by the hour.
- Timing: bank feeds mean your books can be reconciled monthly or quarterly, not once a year.
- Access: you deal with your accountant by email, chat, phone or video, from anywhere in Australia.
- Rules: Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration applies online and offline, so only a registered tax agent can charge you to prepare and lodge your tax return.
How did we compare these online accountants?
We reviewed each provider’s public website on 6 October 2026 against the things Australian owners ask us about most on sales calls: price, scope and who actually does the work. Sleek is on this list, so we’ve applied the same criteria to everyone and called out where others are the better choice.
We compared each option on:
- Registration: whether registered tax agents or BAS agents handle your lodgements
- Scope: whether bookkeeping, BAS and tax returns sit in one fee or are charged separately
- Price transparency: whether starting prices are published or quote-only
- Contact: a dedicated accountant, a matched panel member or a shared team
- Fit: which business structures and stages the service is built for
Which online accountants are best for Australian small businesses?
If you search for a small business accountant online, you’ll find everything from one-off tax return services to fully managed accounting. Here’s how six options compare at a glance, using the starting prices each provider publishes, which will change with your turnover, transaction volume and structure.
| Provider | Best for | Published starting price | Bookkeeping | BAS | Tax returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleek | Pty Ltd companies wanting one fixed fee | From A$275/mo (incl. GST) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lawpath | Owners who also need legal help | From A$59/mo (sole traders); bookkeeping from A$399/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CleanSlate | Bookkeeping-led packages | From A$165/mo (ex GST) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| H&R Block | Owners who want an office option | BAS from A$109 per lodgement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Etax | Sole traders who only need a yearly return | Business returns from A$219.90 | No | No | Yes |
| Local Xero-certified firm | Groups and complex structures | Usually quoted or hourly | Varies | Yes | Yes |
Sleek: best for companies that want everything under one fixed fee
Sleek’s accounting plans bundle bookkeeping, BAS and IAS lodgements and your company tax return into one fixed fee, with a dedicated accountant. Starter, from A$275 a month, covers quarterly bookkeeping and BAS, while Pro, from A$378 a month, moves to monthly bookkeeping and BAS and includes your Xero and Dext subscriptions. We’re a TPB-registered tax agent (26131380) and a Xero Platinum Partner, and we coordinate the handover from your current accountant.
- Where it wins: one predictable fee for a Pty Ltd company’s full compliance cycle, with no hourly billing.
- Watch out for: if you only need one tax return a year, a per-return service will cost less.
Lawpath: best if you also need legal help
Lawpath is best known for legal documents and advice, and it also matches small businesses with accountants from its panel of registered tax agents, Chartered Accountants and CPAs. Its published plans start from A$59 a month for sole traders and A$399 a month for bookkeeping, with fixed-price quotes for other work.
- Where it wins: contracts, legal advice and accounting through one subscription.
- Watch out for: you’re matched with an independent accountant, so ask who you’ll deal with and whether they stay with you year to year.
CleanSlate: best for bookkeeping-led packages
CleanSlate is an Australian online accounting practice offering bookkeeping, BAS, tax returns, payroll and virtual CFO work. Packages start from A$165 a month ex GST for bookkeeping and BAS, rising to A$225 a month once tax returns are added, and hourly bookkeeping is also available.
- Where it wins: flexible, bookkeeping-heavy packages with an hourly option for lighter months.
- Watch out for: prices are quoted ex GST, so add 10% when you compare them with GST-inclusive fees.
H&R Block: best if you want an office as a fallback
H&R Block’s business team handles tax returns, BAS, bookkeeping and payroll for sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts, in its offices, by phone or by email. BAS is priced per lodgement from A$109, and its current terms offer new business clients their first BAS free.
- Where it wins: a branch network for the times you’d rather sit across the desk from someone.
- Watch out for: per-lodgement pricing plus extra charges for sorting transactions can add up if your books are messy.
Etax: best for sole traders who only need a yearly return
Etax is an online tax return service, and returns that include business income for sole traders start from A$219.90. It doesn’t advertise bookkeeping or BAS services, so you’d keep your own books and lodge BAS yourself or through someone else.
- Where it wins: the lowest cost for a simple sole trader return with tidy records.
- Watch out for: no year-round bookkeeping or BAS support, which starts to matter once you register for GST.
A local Xero-certified firm: best for complex structures
Xero’s advisor directory lets you search for certified accountants and bookkeepers by location, and many local firms now work almost entirely online. This route suits groups with trusts, several companies or property holdings that need ongoing advice, not just compliance.
- Where it wins: senior-level advice and in-person meetings for more complex affairs.
- Watch out for: many firms still bill hourly or quote per job, so get the scope in writing.
Which online accountant suits your business structure?
The right online accountant depends less on the brand and more on how your business is set up. Use this as a starting point:
- Sole trader with simple income: a once-a-year return service may be enough until you register for GST. From that point, online accountants for sole traders who also lodge your BAS are usually better value.
- Freelancer or contractor: look for help with GST, PAYG instalments and deductions. Our page on tax and accounting for freelancers sets out what’s involved.
- Pty Ltd company: you’ll need a company tax return, BAS and regular bookkeeping, so a fixed-fee bundle is normally better value than paying per job.
- Growing team or group: once you run payroll, hold trusts or own several entities, put a dedicated accountant and tax planning ahead of the lowest fee.
If you’re comparing online accountants for sole traders specifically, our sole trader accounting packages and our guide to choosing a sole trader accountant go into more detail.
What should an online accountant’s fixed fee include?
A low headline price only helps if it covers the work you’d otherwise pay for separately. Before you compare online accounting services, check whether the fee includes:
- bookkeeping and bank reconciliations, and how often they happen (weekly, monthly or quarterly)
- preparing and lodging every Business Activity Statement you owe, whether monthly or quarterly
- your business or company tax return, plus any directors’ personal returns
- software subscriptions such as Xero and receipt apps such as Dext
- payroll and Single Touch Payroll reporting if you employ staff
- tax planning before 30 June, not just lodgement after it
- how you reach your accountant and how quickly they reply
Anything outside the fee, such as extra entities or one-off advice, should be priced up front. Compare online accounting services like for like by asking each provider for a written scope at your actual turnover. If you mainly need help with the books, our bookkeeping services can run alongside your existing tax agent.
What should you ask an online accountant before signing up?
A 15-minute call will tell you most of what you need. Ask:
- Are you a registered tax agent? Get their registration number and check it on the TPB register.
- Who will prepare my returns? Find out whether you’ll have a named accountant or a shared team.
- What qualifications does your team hold? Our CA vs CPA comparison explains the two main designations.
- What’s the minimum term? Ask about lock-in periods, notice periods and any guarantee if the service isn’t right for you.
- How will you take over from my current accountant? A good provider requests your records and walks you through the ATO agent nomination.
When is an online accountant not the right fit?
Online doesn’t suit every business, and a good provider will tell you when you need something else. You may be better served by a specialist or local firm if:
- you need an audit, for example for a self-managed super fund
- you’re in a serious dispute with the ATO that needs a specialist tax adviser or lawyer
- your group spans several countries and raises transfer pricing or foreign tax questions
- you strongly prefer regular face-to-face meetings
For most small businesses with a straightforward Pty Ltd or sole trader structure, though, a small business accountant online covers everything a local office would, usually for a more predictable fee.
How Sleek helps as your online accountant
Sleek gives Australian small businesses a dedicated accountant, one fixed fee and one platform for bookkeeping, BAS and tax returns. Compare plans and inclusions on our online accounting services page, or talk to the team about your turnover and structure.
Ready to hand over your books, BAS and tax return?
Sleek prices include GST and may vary with current promotions. Check the latest on the relevant page. Other providers’ prices were taken from their websites on 6 October 2026 and may have changed.
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FAQs on best online accountant australia
Do online accountants work with MYOB or QuickBooks, or only Xero?
It depends on the provider. Lawpath’s panel and CleanSlate both say they work across several cloud platforms, while Sleek’s plans run on Xero or Sleek’s own bookkeeping app. Ask before you sign up, because changing software mid-year means extra setup work.
Is my financial data safe with an online accountant?
Reputable providers use encrypted storage, multi-factor sign-in and strict access controls, and some hold ISO 27001 certification for information security. Ask where your data is stored, who can see it and how you get it back if you leave. Sleek and CleanSlate both list ISO 27001 certification on their websites.
Do I still need an accountant if I already use accounting software?
Software records transactions, but it won’t decide how to treat them for tax, lodge your BAS as a registered agent or plan ahead for 30 June. Many owners do their own day-to-day entries and pay an online accountant to review the books and handle lodgements. The right split depends on your time and how confident you are with GST and deductions.
Can I claim my online accountant's fees as a tax deduction?
Generally, yes. Accounting and bookkeeping fees for running your business are a deductible business expense, and individuals can claim the cost of managing their tax affairs, including fees paid to a registered tax agent. You claim them in the income year you pay them.
Can an online accountant help if I'm behind on my BAS or tax returns?
Yes. Most online accountants offer catch-up work to bring overdue BAS and returns up to date, and can talk to the ATO about lodgement timeframes or a payment plan for you. Expect catch-up work to be quoted separately from your ongoing fee, and start early because penalties can build up.
