For two decades, the Accounting Excellence Awards have recognised the firms, teams and individuals helping to move the accounting and finance profession forward.
Launched in 2006 and delivered by AccountingWEB, the awards were created to shine a light on the people doing exceptional work across the profession. They provide an opportunity to celebrate success, share good practice and recognise achievements that can often go unseen outside an individual firm, team or organisation.
Over the years, Accounting Excellence has grown alongside the profession it represents. What began as a celebration of leading accountancy practices has developed into a broad programme covering firms of every size, specialist service lines, individual leaders, in-house finance teams and major transformation projects.
Recognising excellence in all its forms
Accounting Excellence is built around the idea that there is no single model for a successful accounting or finance organisation.
Excellence might mean delivering outstanding client service, investing in people, building a strong specialist team or transforming a business through technology. It can also be demonstrated through leadership, sustainable growth, technical quality or the ability to support clients and organisations through periods of change.
The awards attract entries from independent bookkeepers and growing practices alongside some of the UK’s largest and best-known accountancy firms.
The 2026 finalists include AAB, Azets, Bishop Fleming, Buzzacott, Cooper Parry, Duncan & Toplis and PKF Smith Cooper. Their involvement demonstrates the programme’s reach across the profession, while the continued success of smaller and specialist firms ensures the awards remain a celebration of excellence at every scale.
AAB, a major winner at the 2025 awards, returns with three shortlist places in 2026, including Audit Team of the Year, International Firm of the Year and Large Firm of the Year. Azets has also secured three finalist places, while Cooper Parry Digital is recognised for its work in practice transformation.
A window into a changing profession
Accounting Excellence is about more than one night of celebration.
Each year, the programme receives more than 500 entries containing detailed examples of the work taking place across accounting and finance. Together, these entries provide a valuable view of how firms and finance teams are responding to new technology, changing client expectations, skills shortages, economic pressure and new ways of working.
This gives AccountingWEB and Sift a rich source of insight into the ideas, investments and emerging trends shaping the profession.
It also allows strong ideas and success stories to be shared with the wider AccountingWEB community. Winners and finalists regularly contribute articles, interviews and discussions throughout the year, helping other professionals learn from their experiences.
The Accounting Excellence Awards 2026
The 2026 shortlist demonstrates how far the programme has grown, with 176 finalist places across 22 categories.
This year’s finalists include small, mid-tier and large accounting firms, bookkeeping, tax and audit teams, finance leaders, in-house teams and fractional CFOs. The shortlist also highlights the growing importance of digital transformation, client service, employer brand and strategic finance leadership.
The winners will be announced at the Accounting Excellence Awards ceremony at the Roundhouse in London on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
As Accounting Excellence celebrates its 20th year, its purpose remains unchanged: to recognise exceptional work, celebrate the people behind it and provide a clearer view of where the accounting and finance profession is heading next.