Aurion Review: A Better Alternative?
An honest comparison of Aurion and Accountee. Discover why growing businesses and recruitment agencies are choosing our boutique service model with Big 4 expertise at 60% lower cost.
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About Aurion
Aurion is Australia's leading provider of payroll software and managed services, with over 35 years of experience in the market. Founded in 1985, Aurion has built a strong reputation for providing comprehensive HR and payroll solutions to businesses across various industries including government, healthcare, education, financial services, and not-for-profit organizations.
The company offers two main solutions: their people and payroll software for businesses that want to manage their own payroll in-house, and fully managed payroll services where Aurion's team of experts handles the entire payroll function. Their software provides end-to-end solutions covering the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and retirement.
Aurion is ISO certified, ASAE accredited, and STP compliant, ensuring legislative compliance for Australian businesses. They currently process payroll for over 350,000 Australians and serve hundreds of companies with their local Australian-based support teams.
What Aurion Does Well
Aurion has several strengths that make it a solid choice
35+ Years Experience
Long-standing reputation in the Australian market with deep understanding of local compliance and business practices.
Comprehensive Solutions
End-to-end HR and payroll software covering the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement.
Certified & Compliant
ISO certified, ASAE accredited, and STP compliant, ensuring legislative compliance for Australian businesses.
Australian Support
Local Australian-based support teams providing assistance through multiple channels including phone, workshops, and eLearning.
Industry Specialization
Tailored solutions for government, healthcare, education, financial services, and not-for-profit sectors.
Flexible Options
Choice between self-managed software or fully outsourced managed payroll services to suit different business needs.
How Accountee Compares
A different approach to payroll and accounting services
Smaller, More Dedicated Team
While Aurion offers enterprise-scale operations with 35+ years of history, Accountee provides a boutique service model with dedicated teams who learn your business inside and out. You're not just a client number—you have a named bookkeeper and accountant who know your history, understand your challenges, and provide proactive advice. This personalized approach means faster response times and better outcomes.
Superior Customer Communication
Accountee's smaller size is our competitive advantage. We respond faster, communicate more proactively, and build genuine relationships with our clients. Our ex-Big 4 Australian management team is directly involved in client service, ensuring you always have access to senior expertise. You won't get lost in a large organization or wait days for responses to urgent questions.
Significantly Better Pricing
Accountee's payroll services start at just $4 per person/pay run plus a simple retainer. This is typically 50-70% less expensive than Aurion's custom enterprise pricing model. We achieve this through our efficient offshore-onshore model, not by cutting corners on quality. You get the same compliance standards and professional expertise, but at a fraction of the cost. For growing businesses watching their budget, this difference is substantial.
Ex-Big 4 Australian Management
Our leadership team comes from BDO, NAB, and Westpac, bringing Big 4 standards to every engagement. Every piece of work is reviewed by Australian accountants who understand local compliance requirements and business practices. This ensures you get enterprise-quality service with the personal touch of a boutique firm.
Focused Specialization
Like Aurion, we work with various industries, but we specialize in recruitment agencies and growing businesses. Our smaller size allows us to go deeper with each client. We don't just process your payroll—we become strategic partners who understand your business model, growth plans, and unique challenges. This focused approach delivers better advice and more valuable insights.
Which Solution Is Right for You?
Choose Aurion If:
- You're a large organization or government agency needing enterprise-scale solutions
- You require comprehensive HR software covering the entire employee lifecycle
- You prefer a provider with 35+ years of market history
- Budget is less of a concern than comprehensive features
- You need industry-specific solutions for healthcare, education, or government
Choose Accountee If:
- You want a dedicated team that knows your business personally
- Superior customer communication and fast response times matter
- You need Big 4 quality at 50-70% lower cost
- You're a recruitment agency or growing business seeking strategic advice
- You value relationship-driven service over software complexity
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Aurion and alternatives
Experience the Accountee Difference
Get Big 4 expertise, dedicated teams, and superior customer service at a fraction of the cost. Book a free consultation to see how we compare.