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Buyer's guide 20 April 2026 8 min read

Choosing an AML provider as a small accounting practice

What to look for in a provider, what fee structures actually mean, and the questions to ask in a first call.

By Sophie Maddox

There are about 30,000 accounting practices in Australia and roughly half will be in scope for at least some Tranche 2 obligations from 1 July 2026 — primarily firms doing company formation, SMSF and trust administration, or holding client money.

The three product categories you'll see

  • Full-suite platforms (easyAML, AMLHUB, OverSEER, AML SmartGuard) — program documentation, CDD, monitoring and reporting in one tool.
  • Specialist screening (NameScan, MemberCheck, WatchEye) — sanctions, PEP and adverse media, designed to plug into your existing program.
  • Specialist CDD (First AML, StackGo) — best-in-class identity and beneficial ownership for complex clients.

Questions to ask in your first call

  • Does the program documentation include the designated services I actually provide?
  • Is electronic ID verification priced into the subscription, or pay-per-check?
  • How does the platform handle SMSF trustees, discretionary trust beneficiaries, and corporate clients?
  • Is there a workflow for reviewer/approver sign-off on high-risk onboardings?
  • Can I export an audit pack on demand if AUSTRAC engages?
  • What does support look like in business hours and after hours?
  • What happens to my data if I leave?

What 'free' really means

Some providers (notably easyAML) are genuinely free until 1 July 2026 — full platform access at no cost during the implementation ramp-up. Others use 'free trial' wording for what is functionally a sales process. Always read the conversion terms before you commit your client data to a tool.

Practical next step

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