Accounting is often thought of as a profession that’s all about the numbers. However, as award-winning accounting firm Allan Hall Business Advisors explains, standing out from the crowd often means focusing on clients more than decimal points.
The firm is based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, with satellite offices in Brisbane and Adelaide, and is one of the largest, non-CBD, integrated chartered accounting and business advisory firms in Australia. It recently won not one but three gongs in the annual Client Choice Awards, celebrating the best consulting firms in Australia and New Zealand.
The directors of the firm said they were “ecstatic” and “it’s a huge honour” to receive the Awards.
“Clients do notice, and are positive about our achievements, and what it means for us and them,” the firm’s eight directors said in a joint statement to beaton.
In a hotly contested year that saw more than 250 firms enter the Client Choice Awards from the four professions of accounting and consulting services, built and natural environment consulting, law and related services, and specialist IP and related services, Allan Hall swept the accounting field with three prizes.
The firm was named the Best Auditing Firm (less than $30m revenue), Best Business Advice Firm (less than $30m revenue) and Best Self Managed Super Fund Firm (less than $30m revenue).
Reflecting on the wins, the directors of the firm said the Client Choice Awards provided a unique opportunity to seek feedback from clients – something they see as a key part of the business’ success.
“We conduct a review of client feedback at regular intervals based on market research with clients,” the directors said, adding that, if they had access to endless resources and a blank cheque to conduct market research, regular client feedback would be where they’d spend it.
“Continuous (regular) conversations with a range of clients to gauge their needs, and hear what we are doing well and not so well. Measurement of those outcomes.”
While the firm cheered the wins internally with its eight directors and 90 staff, the directors said there was also a cause for celebration among clients.
“We see our clients as part of our business, in a familiar way, much like a family. There is an understanding that [winning a Client Choice Award is] a big deal for us and they celebrate with us in that,” the directors said.
“We also believe it shows our willingness to continually evolve and improve; you can’t keep making it to this stage of the awards if you are not improving and progressing. For a client we think that’s a key characteristic to consider when choosing a firm.”
Allan Hall Business Advisors was named Best Auditing Firm (<$30m revenue), Best Business Advice Firm (<$30m revenue) and Best Self Managed Super Fund Firm (<$30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards. These awards are presented in partnership with Accountancy Insurance.
Firmchecker is the Research Partner for these categories.
The Client Choice Awards rewards firms for excellent client service, technical expertise, innovation and client experience. It is the only multi-profession and fully client-judged awards anywhere in the world. The Principal Partner of the Awards is NAB.
Enter your firm for the 2023 Awards here.
