Eager to improve your profile in the accounting space? Then consider putting your name forward in an awards competition.
Winning accounting awards is a great way to evolve and advance your career. Not only do they recognise and celebrate the best of the best, but they’re also the place to rub shoulders with like-minded people and establish yourself in the field.
But apart from the glory and professional benefits, being crowned a winner is solid proof of the hard work and dedication you’ve poured into your career. Let’s be honest—winning just feels good.
So if you’re thinking of ways to up the ante, we’ve rounded up a handful of awards for accountants in Australia, the UK, and the US to help get the ball rolling.
Accounting awards by country
Click your country below to jump directly to that section
Let’s dive in!
Australia
Australian Accounting Awards
Presented annually since 2014, the acclaimed Australian Accounting Awards honours the top firms and professionals in the industry, from those in the most senior ranks to the stars of tomorrow. Powered by Momentum Media and its media brand Accountants Daily, industry professionals believe this ceremony is the leading event on the awards circuit. Here’s what the winners get:
- National recognition
- Opportunity for press coverage
- Access to interviews
- Professional photos
- Exclusive collateral to strengthen their position in the industry as one of Australia’s best
The awards are open to all accounting professionals and businesses operating in Australia. More than 500 members of the accounting profession attended last year’s ceremony in Sydney, with standup comedian, actor, and presenter Dave Thornton as the night’s emcee.
The 2023 dates haven’t been released yet, so stay tuned.
Australian Accounting Industry Awards
Launched last year by the From The Trenches team, the independent Australian Accounting Industry Awards celebrates the public practitioner community. It shines a light on the everyday stories behind the hardworking accountants, bookkeepers, and leaders in what has been one of the most difficult periods of their careers.
Rather than just focusing on the type of software you use, expect awards centred on client impact and teamwork. And, unlike other ceremonies, the judges are your peers.
The inaugural event, a gala dinner, was hosted in Sydney. Details for 2023 are yet to be announced.
The Australian Financial Review Top 100 Accounting Firms
Although this isn’t an award in the traditional sense, a hat tip from the Australian Financial Review (AFR) is still worth bragging rights. As the country’s leading newspaper on business and finance, coverage from the AFR can be valuable for your firm’s reputation. It can also give you an idea of where you sit compared to the Big Four.
If you believe your firm should be considered in this year’s list, the AFR accepts applications online. The form remains open until mid-2023, with the results published towards the end of the year.
US
ClearlyRated Best Of Accounting Award
ClearlyRated, an online business directory, uses verified reviews from real clients to rate the best of the best in staffing, accounting, legal, HR, and other B2B service providers. It focuses on building a positive reputation, which is why ClearlyRated’s Best Of Accounting Award is so highly sought after.
In fact, it’s the only award in the US and Canada that recognises public accounting firms that have demonstrated first-class service based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. This year will mark the 10th annual award, and ClearlyRated will publish the award winners list online.
To be considered, you must register your firm on ClearlyRated.
Thomson Reuters Luca Awards
If you’re after prestige, then look no further than the Luca Awards, from trusted media organisation Thomas Reuters. Dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the bookkeeping profession, this event celebrates innovation and mastery of accounting and technology. The award was named after Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli, often described as the “father of accounting”.
Presented annually, the top honours go to trailblazers, those who have made a significant impact on their firm, as well as the firm of the year. Winners are selected from submissions received by an internal team at Thomas Reuters, and the winners are announced at the Thomas Reuters Annual Synergy user conference in Washington, DC.
Nominations for 2023 should be open online later this year.
Accounting Today Best Firms To Work For
With workplace culture under the microscope more than ever, it may be worth tossing your hat in the ring for this award.
Every year, the reputable magazine Accounting Today and Best Companies Group release an alphabetised list of the best 100 firms to work for. Split into a two-part survey, the first part (worth 25%) evaluates the company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The rest of the survey, worth 75%, focuses on employee experience.
Firms are invited to nominate themselves online, with the top 100 list published online and in Accounting Today’s print edition.
UK
Accounting Excellence Awards
Backed by AccountingWEB, the largest online accounting community in the UK, the annual Accounting Excellence Awards brings together over 500 industry professionals from across the nation to celebrate their top achievements. Finalist or not, it’s also just a great opportunity to network.
Your firm or organisation can enter up to three categories. However, 2023 dates and categories have yet to be announced. Last year’s glamorous event took place at London’s Tobacco Dock conference centre.
Xero Awards United Kingdom and Ireland
As its name suggests, this event celebrates Xero accounting, bookkeeping and app partners so you can show your clients that you’re at the top of your game. You can nominate your practice or company for a Xero Award, with the process consisting of answering questions online. Winners receive quite a lot:
- A framed certificate to hang up in their office
- Digital assets, including social tiles, to promote their big win(s)
- A winners’ guide to make the most of the success
- A media release template and tips on how to get in touch with the local press
This year’s ceremony is taking place in London in April, and applications have already closed.
Yorkshire Accountancy Awards
Brought to you by events and media company Barker Brooks Communications, the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards encourages nominations from small independent, mid-tier, and larger firms. However, it also offers individual and team wins.
Categories are open to everyone involved in accountancy in Yorkshire, from those just getting their start in the industry to managing partners of accountancy firms. Winners, decided by an independent panel of local and national experts, are presented their trophy in a black-tie ceremony held in Leeds.
The entry window for 2023 has now closed.
Whether you’re a trainee or a seasoned professional, winning an award can provide a wealth of benefits that can help propel your career forward. And, even if you aren’t a finalist, attending an event is still a valuable place to network and experience what’s possible. Not to mention a great night out with your colleagues, celebrating significant contributions to the industry.
