Dedicated offshore accountants for Melbourne CPA and accounting firms — tax return preparation, SMSF administration and bookkeeping at 60–70% less than your current onshore staff cost.
Services for Melbourne Firms
Melbourne has Australia's largest concentration of accounting and CPA firms. The firms growing fastest are those who've separated production work from advisory work — using offshore capacity for the former.
Individual, company, trust and partnership returns prepared in Xero Tax, HandiTax or MYOB Tax. Pre-fill reconciled, all schedules completed, reviewed by your registered agent.
Annual financial statements, member account reconciliations, SAR preparation and audit workpaper packs in BGL Simple Fund 360 or Class Super.
Monthly bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, management P&L and balance sheet for your clients — delivered under your firm's white label.
STP Phase 2 compliant payroll for your business clients. VIC payroll tax threshold tracking, leave management and super guarantee reconciliation.
Quarterly BAS preparation ready for your BAS agent to review and lodge. GST reconciled, PAYG withheld confirmed and instalment obligations tracked.
Additional offshore resources for the February–May peak — scale up for tax season without recruiting, then return to base capacity after lodgement.
Cost Comparison
The true cost of an onshore Melbourne accountant is significantly higher than base salary. Here is the side-by-side comparison.
| Cost Item | Onshore Melbourne Accountant | OrtúsPro Offshore (Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary / engagement cost | $75,000–$95,000/yr | $28,000–$48,000/yr |
| Superannuation (12%) | $9,000–$11,400/yr | Not applicable |
| VIC payroll tax (~4.85%) | $3,600–$4,600/yr | Not applicable |
| WorkCover, leave loading | $2,500–$4,000/yr | Not applicable |
| Recruitment & training | $8,000–$20,000 (amortised) | Included in onboarding |
| Office overhead | $8,000–$15,000/yr | Not applicable |
| Total annual cost | $106,000–$150,000 | $28,000–$48,000 |
Melbourne Business Context
Common Questions
What accounting work can Melbourne firms outsource offshore?
Melbourne accounting firms can outsource individual and company tax return preparation, SMSF administration, bookkeeping, BAS preparation and payroll processing. The offshore team prepares all production work in your tax software; your registered agents review, approve and lodge.
What is the Victorian payroll tax threshold?
The Victorian payroll tax threshold for 2025–26 is $700,000 in annual Australian taxable wages, with a rate of 4.85% above the threshold. Melbourne accounting firms managing client payrolls need to track VIC payroll tax liability accurately across their client base.
How does offshore accounting outsourcing work for Melbourne CPA firms?
Melbourne firms engage a dedicated offshore team that works in the firm's existing software. The offshore team handles production work — tax return preparation, SMSF administration, bookkeeping — and submits completed files for the Australian partner's review. The registered agent reviews, approves and lodges. The TPB requires the Australian agent to take responsibility for all work.
How much does offshore accounting outsourcing cost for Melbourne firms?
A full-time dedicated offshore accounting resource typically costs $28,000–$48,000 per year — compared to $106,000–$150,000 total cost for an onshore Melbourne accountant. Per-return pricing is also available: $45–$95 for individual returns, $120–$250 for company and trust returns.
Melbourne firms — send us one tax return, SMSF file or bookkeeping job. We'll complete it within 48 hours at no charge. Evaluate the quality, then decide.