Accounting franchise or licence: which suits you?
If you're looking at an accounting franchise in Australia, it's worth comparing it with licensing first. A franchise gives you an established brand and a system to follow. A licence gives you the support and registration behind you, while the brand and the clients stay yours.
What is the difference between an accounting franchise and a licence?
In a franchise, you run a business under someone else's brand and follow their standard system. In a licence, you run your own brand and your own practice, backed by another firm's registration, systems and support. The real difference is who owns the business you build.
Why we chose licensing over franchising
Platinum Accounting Australia began in 2008 as a franchisee of a national accounting brand, so we know the franchise model from the inside. Franchising works well for standard products, like a fast food meal served the same way every time. Tax clients are never standard. Every client has a different situation and needs a different answer. That's why we built a licensing model in 2021.
Franchise vs licensing, side by side
| Platinum licensing | Typical accounting franchise | |
|---|---|---|
| Your brand | Your own practice name | The franchise brand |
| Your clients | Yours | Tied to the brand, with a non-compete clause if you leave |
| Establishment fee | Low | Very high |
| Lock in | None | A fixed term over several years |
| Tax agent registration | Work under Platinum's registration while you build towards your own | Varies by brand |
| AI team | Included | None |
| How you serve clients | Shaped to each client's situation | A standard system across every outlet |
When might a franchise suit you?
A franchise can suit you if you want a well known brand on day one and a fixed system to follow step by step. Some people value that structure, and that's a fair choice.
When is licensing the better fit?
Licensing suits you if you want to build something you own. You keep your own brand and clients, you serve each client the way their situation needs, and you're not locked in. Platinum works behind you as your back office and second pair of eyes, with an AI team doing the groundwork.
See how the Licensee Pathway works
Book a free discovery call and we'll compare your options honestly, including whether licensing suits where you are now.