Accountants in South Melbourne

Trusted accounting expertise tailored for South Melbourne businesses

Liston Newton Advisory
Liston Newton Advisory is rated 4.8 from 32 reviews
Home

Free financial strategy session*

Get a free 90-minute video consultation. See how it works.

*Offer subject to terms and conditions
By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

An award-winning Australian accounting firm

SMSF multi service firm of the year awardSMSF customer service firm of the year awardIfa innovator of the year awardIfa holistic adviser of the year award

Local business accountants supporting South Melbourne's growth

For decades, we’ve helped South Melbourne’s business owners stay on top of their finances, streamline their systems and plan for long-term growth. Whether you’re just getting started or preparing to scale, our accountants in South Melbourne provide tailored support that adapts to your needs.

Our Palmerston Crescent office is conveniently located in South Melbourne, just a few minutes from the city. Stop in for a consultation or book a virtual meeting if that suits you better. We’ll take the time to understand your goals and give you the advice you need to make informed decisions with confidence.

Contact us

Call us on

03 9069 2605
Business hours

Monday to Friday

8am to 5pm

Parking

On-street parking on Palmerston Crescent

Accounting services designed for South Melbourne businesses

Our accountants work closely with South Melbourne's small, medium and large businesses to provide tailored, end-to-end accounting solutions. From day-to-day compliance to forward-thinking financial strategy, we’re here to support your business at every stage.

When Liston Newton started with ReAqua, they hit the ground running, implementing changes to the business and the automation of the finance function. Their ability to take on feedback and adapt to the requests from key stakeholders has led to the business consistently improving monthly board meetings. We have found Liston Newton to be a great sounding board, and they are always available to brainstorm ideas or answer questions our business has.
Donald Fraser
CEO, Reaqua Solar Pumping
Liston Newton's Accountants analysed our financial and business situation and helped us implement strategies to improve our position. Their strategies turned our business from making a loss, to recording a 6-month net profit of 36 per cent. And we are now on track to show a 240 per cent increase in turnover over the next financial year.
Lisa Clarke
SL Constructions
Liston Newton helped us move our accounting over to Xero. Their Accountant managed the set up and training so we felt comfortable with the software. We now have all our processes streamlined which gives us improved visibility of our business performance. This has allowed us to open 2 more stores without a significant increase in administration effort.
Peter Luskan
Pandora
Future-focused accounting for long-term value
Talk to us

Helping South Melbourne businesses plan and grow with confidence

We help South Melbourne business owners make smarter financial decisions. With a clear, personalised strategy, you’ll feel confident about the path ahead, whether you're focused on improving cash flow, managing growth or preparing for your next big move.

We’ll start with a practical conversation about your business needs, challenges and priorities. Then we’ll create a flexible, results-driven plan to help you optimise your systems and stay compliant while building long-term value.

Accountant responsibilities

  • Financial planning and internal financial reporting
  • BAS returns and tax compliance
  • ASIC compliance
  • Business tax returns
  • Inventory management
  • Recordkeeping services
  • Financial analysis and advisory

Practical tools to help you manage and grow your business

We know how much time and effort it takes to run a business in Australia. Our free downloadable guides offer practical, in-depth advice on how to streamline your operations, stay compliant and grow with confidence.

  • Get clarity on tax obligations and business structures
  • Explore tools that improve your systems and cash flow
  • Learn how to make confident, informed financial decisions

Download our CFO guide

Want to pay less tax and grow your business profits faster? Our free guide shows you how to take control of your finances, improve cash flow, and make better strategic decisions with help from a virtual CFO.

  • Learn practical ways to reduce tax and increase profitability.
  • Get tips on forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
  • Understand how a virtual CFO helps you scale sustainably.
Get our guide

Meet your local South Melbourne accounting team

Our South Melbourne accountants bring deep local knowledge and years of practical experience. Whether you meet us in our Palmerston Crescent office or prefer a visit to your business, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Advice backed by real-world experience

Our team has worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes across South Melbourne. With advanced qualifications, hands-on experience and a practical mindset, we deliver advice that’s built on real results, not just theory.

Why our clients choose Liston Newton

A tailored approach that delivers results

Every business faces different challenges at different stages. That’s why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. As your case studies will show you, our team works with South Melbourne businesses to develop practical accounting strategies that reflect your industry, structure and goals.

From startup budgets to growth-phase reporting and long-term succession plans, our advisors provide the tools and insights you need to plan effectively and operate with confidence. We’ll help you streamline your systems, stay compliant and gain a clear understanding of your numbers.

We work best with businesses who want a trusted sounding board. We’re here to offer clarity on complex issues and help you move forward with well-informed decisions.

We help our clients:

  • Minimise tax through proactive planning
  • Implement cloud accounting solutions with Xero
  • Streamline payroll, invoicing and bookkeeping processes
  • Set and track cash flow goals, KPIs and financial performance metrics

Cut a path towards your financial freedom with our South Melbourne accountants

How we get you set

The first phase is all about establishing the fundamentals of your business and creating a strong foundation to build from. You also need to establish your long-term goals so you have a clear idea of what you're working towards.

  • Plan your goals
  • Structure your business and assets
  • Online accounting
  • People and HR
  • Protect your business and personal risk
  • Business and personal will

How we get you moving

The second phase is about gaining a deeper understanding of your business; how to make it more efficient and experience sustainable growth. This is where you transition from working in your business to working on your business.

  • Understand your numbers
  • Delegate bookkeeping
  • Systematise and automate tasks
  • Minimise tax
  • Forecast cashflow and capital needs
  • Quarterly coaching and accountability

How we get you free

The final phase is when all your hard work really starts to pay off. This is when you start using your profits to build your personal worth to a point that give you financial freedom—the freedom to work only if you want to.

  • Understand wealth creation
  • Investment portfolio
  • Investment property
  • Superannuation
  • Succession and exit planning
  • Your legacy

We really are the accountants South Melbourne trusts

Proud to be part of the South Melbourne business community

We live and work in South Melbourne, and we’re proud to support the community that supports us. Beyond our accounting services, we contribute to local and national initiatives that help people build better lives.

  • Supporting small business owners affected by cancer through the Cancer Council’s advisory program
  • Funding local sports teams and community programs
  • Partnering with the Type 1 Foundation to raise awareness about diabetes

Every Liston Newton office backs different causes because giving back is just part of how we operate.

Find out how we do things
Image of a team of business accountant reviews

Frequently asked questions

How can a tax accountant support asset protection for South Melbourne business owners?

A tax accountant plays a critical role in structuring your business and personal finances to minimise risk and protect assets. This goes beyond standard compliance to include entity structuring, trust management, and tax-effective distribution strategies.

Our South Melbourne tax accountants work closely with legal and financial specialists to ensure your business and personal assets are protected through effective tax and accounting strategies. With deep expertise in tax, business accounting, and advisory services, we help business owners make informed decisions that support long-term risk management, succession planning, and sustainable business value.

What accounting strategies support intergenerational wealth transfer?

Intergenerational wealth transfer planning requires more than just estate documents. A strategic accountant will manage tax implications, ensure appropriate structures are in place, and work alongside legal and advisory teams to support wealth continuity.

Our South Melbourne financial advisors collaborate with our business advisors and tax specialists to help high-net-worth individuals preserve and transfer wealth across generations. With a focus on accounting and tax, we combine financial management, small business accounting, and long-term planning to ensure wealth is transferred efficiently and aligned with your broader goals.

How can forensic accounting improve value during a merger between South Melbourne businesses?

Forensic accounting provides a detailed, credible picture of business performance, reducing risk and improving confidence for investors or buyers.

Our team supports South Melbourne clients preparing for exits, capital raises, or mergers by identifying inconsistencies, validating financial records, and improving transparency. This helps maximise business value and ensures all parties have confidence in the transaction. Our virtual CFO services for South Melbourne businesses also assist with valuation modelling, strategic business planning, and tax accounting to support confident outcomes.

When is a local South Melbourne virtual CFO more effective than in-house finance staff?

A virtual CFO offers senior-level financial oversight without the cost of a full-time executive. This is particularly valuable for growing businesses that need strategic guidance but don’t yet require a permanent CFO.

Our South Melbourne virtual CFO services deliver forecasting, scenario planning, and board-level insights tailored to your stage of growth. With expertise in business accounting, accounting software, and strategic business decisions, we provide scalable financial leadership to support expansion, funding readiness, and cash flow management.

What is the role of tax accounting in business restructuring?

Tax accounting plays a pivotal role in ensuring restructures are efficient, compliant, and aligned with future goals. It involves careful planning around CGT, rollovers, asset transfers, and entity selection.

Our South Melbourne business accounting firm works with small to medium businesses undertaking restructures due to growth, succession, or risk management needs. We bring specialist knowledge and a coordinated advisory approach to help you execute complex changes with minimal disruption and maximum benefit, while ensuring your accounting needs and taxation services remain fully aligned.

How does a self-managed structure affect tax strategy for South Melbourne business owners?

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) introduces additional opportunities and responsibilities for tax planning. It can be used to hold business property, accumulate wealth tax-effectively, and implement intergenerational strategies.

Our South Melbourne SMSF accountants help businesses and individuals integrate SMSF planning with their broader tax and business strategy. With expertise in accounting and taxation, we ensure compliance, optimise contributions, and structure holdings to support long-term financial outcomes. We provide the best tools and advice to help clients manage wealth within a self-managed environment.

Can South Melbourne’s high-growth businesses benefit from bookkeeping support?

Bookkeeping is often seen as a basic task, but for high-growth businesses, accurate and timely financial data is essential to make decisions at pace.

Our South Melbourne bookkeeping services go beyond data entry to include process improvement, accounting software optimisation, and integration with broader financial management systems. This ensures your leadership team has the visibility and clarity they need to manage business growth, performance, and cash flow management effectively.

How should small and medium businesses in South Melbourne prepare for an ATO audit?

ATO audits can be time-consuming and disruptive if your records, structures, or reporting aren’t up to standard. Proactive audit preparedness minimises stress and helps protect your business.

Our South Melbourne tax accounting team provides strategic support to ensure your systems, documentation, and advice are defensible and aligned with ATO expectations. With a team of professionals specialising in forensic accounting, business accounting, and registered tax advice, we support small and medium businesses in reducing risk, maintaining compliance, and preparing confidently for any review or investigation.

By humans, for humans

This page was written by people. You wouldn’t think that would need to be plainly stated, but more and more businesses are satisfied cutting corners with tech-written content. Not us. We believe in technology, and we’re excited to see how we can use emerging technologies to improve our services. But we’re keenly aware that our job is to serve people. 

We don’t offer techno-babble to target algorithms. At Liston Newton, we use cutting-edge technology to gather, manage and streamline data for our team to discern people-focused insights. Technology in service of people — the way it should be.