#Business Growth #SME support #Accounting Firms

The Expansion of the Accounting Firm Collaboration Council

The Accounting Firm Collaboration Council, led by President Yoshihiro Hongo, recently announced its expansion to include a total of 63 member firms. This growth marks a significant milestone, with the total number of employees across these offices exceeding 19,000 and the number of clients they support surpassing 160,000. The council aims to leverage specialized knowledge and practical insights that each member possesses to tackle the increasingly complex management challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan are facing today.

Addressing Management Challenges for SMEs

In recent years, SMEs in Japan have confronted a myriad of challenges, including labor shortages, succession planning, and the need to adapt to new regulations such as the invoice system and electronic bookkeeping laws. These issues necessitate a level of support that many individual firms simply cannot provide alone. Accounting firms are expected to evolve beyond traditional services such as tax filing and bookkeeping. They are now seen as essential advisors in areas like IPO support, mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation (DX), management control, and financing support.

The recent expansion to include 63 firms was not merely an increase in size; it symbolizes a strategic enhancement in the overall support capabilities of the accounting industry. By sharing practical knowledge and expertise across geographical and size boundaries, the council strives to elevate the value of accounting firms in providing comprehensive management support. Through this collaboration, they aim to ensure that the infrastructure needed to support SMEs is robust and effective.

Welcome Event for New Members

On June 11, 2026, at the New Otani Hotel, the council hosted a kickoff seminar and a welcome reception for 46 newly joined member firms. The event featured a keynote speech from President Hongo, who discussed the evolving role of accounting firms and the future outlook for the industry. Following the seminar, an engaging networking session allowed members from all over the country to come together. This vibrant atmosphere fostered not just socialization but the establishment of a strong network of peers united in looking towards the future of the accounting industry.

Activities for the Future

The Accounting Firm Collaboration Council is committed to being an active organization that not only makes statements but also mobilizes efforts towards achieving its vision. It has outlined several key activities to accelerate:

1. Enhancing the Social Value of the Accounting Industry

Currently, the recruitment landscape shows a strong preference for consulting roles. Accounting firms, while often perceived narrowly as tax specialists, play a multifaceted role as business partners. They guide clients through various aspects of management, from financial strategies and business planning to succession planning and capital management. In a time when AI is becoming more prevalent, the unique judgment and interpretive skills required in this holistic approach are difficult to replace. The council aims to communicate a clearer picture of the reality and role models within the accounting sector to raise societal awareness and appeal to the younger generation.

2. Knowledge Sharing through Research Committees

The council has established various research committees that address shared concerns among its member firms. These committees will focus on themes such as recruitment, training, M&A, technology adoption, legal compliance, and global outreach, facilitating knowledge-sharing opportunities and spreading practical insights across the industry.

3. Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration

To nurture the upcoming generation of business leaders, the council is emphasizing partnerships with educational institutions. A special lecture and discussion session were held on December 2, 2025, at the University of Hyogo to impart the attractions of working in large accounting firms. Future initiatives will include classroom engagement, guest lectures, practical experiences, and internships to further strengthen ties with educational bodies.

Remarks from President Yoshihiro Hongo

The challenges faced by SMEs have reached unprecedented levels of complexity, especially concerning DX implementation and succession planning. As devoted guardians of the numbers, accounting firms must now transcend the confines of mere tax representation—becoming true companions to their clients in navigating these intricate challenges. The 63 entities united in this council are more than just colleagues; they are allies in establishing a new market that goes beyond traditional accounting, evolving into an industry standard of accounting-based consulting. This vibrant domain opens new opportunities for young talents aiming to make their mark in shaping the future of the industry. The council looks forward to connecting with the next generation of stellar professionals who aspire to drive change within the accounting landscape.

List of Member Firms

Here are the 63 member firms, listed in alphabetical order:

• - RSM Shiodome Partners Tax Corporation
• - Ai You Consulting Tax Corporation
• - Axis Tax Corporation
• - Actus Tax Corporation
• - Asuka Tax Corporation
• - Atax Tax Corporation
• - Up Partners Tax Corporation
• - Antelligence Tax Corporation
• - Ikewaki Accounting Office
• - Idea Consulting Tax Corporation
• - AGS Tax Corporation
• - SS Comprehensive Accounting Corporation
• - NA Tax Corporation
• - N's Tax Corporation
• - OAG Tax Corporation
• - Orelens Tax Office
• - Kagayaki Tax Corporation
• - Kuon Tax Corporation
• - Growth Link Tax Corporation
• - KMC Partners Tax Corporation
• - Furutato Accounting Corporation
• - Koyano Tax Corporation
• - Sakigake Tax Corporation
• - Sakura Yuwa Partners Tax Corporation
• - Sankyodo Tax Corporation
• - G.S. Brains Tax Corporation
• - Soogol Tax Corporation
• - Startup Tax Corporation
• - Subaru Joint Accounting Corporation
• - Seven Sense Tax Corporation
• - Comprehensive Management Services Tax Corporation
• - SoVa Tax Corporation
• - Solimachi Accounting Corporation
• - Taiyo Grant Thornton Tax Corporation
• - Tsujihongo Tax Corporation
• - DIG Tax Corporation
• - Tokyo Joint Accounting Office
• - TOMA Tax Corporation
• - TOTAL Tax Corporation
• - Todoroki Accounting Office
• - Triple Good Tax Corporation
• - Nishikawa Accounting Corporation
• - Nihon Kreas Tax Corporation
• - Nihon Management Tax Corporation
• - Nihon Souken Tax Corporation
• - Hirose Tax Corporation
• - Fuujin Accounting Office
• - Bricks & UK Tax Corporation
• - Venture Support Tax Corporation
• - Hofaba Tax Corporation
• - Mass Agent Tax Corporation
• - Match Point Tax Corporation
• - Matsumoto Tax Corporation
• - Mikata Tax Corporation
• - Midosuji Tax Corporation
• - Midori Joint Tax Corporation
• - Meinan Management Tax Corporation
• - Yamada & Partners Tax Corporation
• - Yamane Comprehensive Accounting Office
• - Yoshii Financial Research Institute
• - Landmark Tax Corporation
• - Rewrite Tax Corporation
• - Legacy Tax Corporation

About the Accounting Firm Collaboration Council

The Accounting Firm Collaboration Council (abbreviated as