Cloud & desktop accounting software
Reckon review
An established Australian option, often chosen on price or from a long-held desktop file.
The short version
Reckon is an Australian accounting software provider with both cloud (Reckon One) and desktop products. It covers core compliance including GST/BAS and Single Touch Payroll, and is often chosen on price or by businesses with long-held desktop files. Its ecosystem and market share are smaller than the big three, so support and integrations can be more limited.
Best for
Price-sensitive businesses and existing Reckon desktop users wanting continuity.
Pricing
Modular Reckon One pricing can be economical for simple needs; desktop products are separate. Confirm current Reckon pricing.
Our rating
3.5/5 — Rated for niche fit — capable and cost-effective, but a smaller ecosystem than the leaders.
The honest pros and cons
What works
- Australian provider with core GST/BAS and Single Touch Payroll covered
- Reckon One’s modular pricing can be economical for simple needs
- Continuity for long-time desktop users
What to watch
- Smaller market share, so fewer specialists and integrations
- Interface and ecosystem feel behind the market leaders
- Desktop-to-cloud transitions need careful handling
- Less third-party app choice for industry-specific needs
Our verdict
Reckon can be a sensible, cost-effective choice for simpler businesses or those with an established desktop file, but for most growing businesses the bigger platforms offer a stronger ecosystem and easier access to support. If you are on Reckon and it works, there is no need to move for the sake of it; if you are hitting its limits, we can advise honestly and migrate you cleanly. Either way, disciplined reconciliation matters more than the brand.
Who it suits
- Price-sensitive businesses with straightforward needs
- Existing Reckon desktop users wanting continuity
- Sole traders wanting a low-cost compliant ledger
Key takeaways
- Reckon is an established Australian option, cloud and desktop
- Covers core GST/BAS and Single Touch Payroll compliance
- Smaller ecosystem and support base than the big three
- Best suited to simpler needs or continuity for existing users
How we help with Reckon
Whichever tool you choose, the value is in how it is set up and kept clean. These are the services that do exactly that.
Software Setup
The right software, set up properly — Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks configured, migrated and optimised so your bookkeeping runs cleanly from day one.
BAS & GST
Quarterly BAS handled end to end — correctly coded, reconciled and lodged on time, every time, by a registered CPA team that watches the deadlines so you never have to.
Bank Reconciliation
The foundation everything else rests on — every transaction coded correctly and every account reconciled, so your numbers are trustworthy.
Payroll
Accurate, compliant payroll run for you — wages, superannuation, PAYG and Single Touch Payroll handled so your team is always paid right and on time.
Why trust this review
Genuinely independent
We are not a reseller for any platform. No commissions, no bias — just what fits your business.
Principal-led by an FCPA
Reviewed from real practice experience by Graham Chee FCPA and an 18-year CPA team.
We run it in the real world
We set up, migrate and maintain these platforms daily — so the pros and cons are lived, not theoretical.
Frequently asked questions
Should we stay on Reckon or move?
It depends on where you are heading. If your needs are simple and the file works, staying can be the economical choice. If you are growing, need more integrations, or struggle to find support, moving to a larger platform may be worth it. We give a straight recommendation based on your situation, not a sales target.
Can you migrate us off Reckon desktop?
Yes. Desktop-to-cloud moves need care with opening balances, payroll history and data integrity. Our software setup and migration service handles it so you land on a clean file.
Can you run our existing Reckon file?
Yes — we can manage reconciliation, BAS and payroll in Reckon, and bring a behind file back to a clean state through triage first.