Who is the Best Auditor for my SME?

Who is the Best Auditor for my SME? | Bestar

Singapore SME Auditor Selection Guide

Who is the Best Auditor for my SME?

Finding the best auditor for your SME in Singapore depends on balancing three things: regulatory compliance, cost-efficiency, and scalability.

In 2026, the Singapore audit landscape is defined by the "Small Company" exemption. If your SME has revenue and assets under S$10 million and fewer than 50 employees, you likely don't need a statutory audit—unless required by shareholders or banks.

If you do need an audit, here is the breakdown of the best firms in Singapore categorized by business stage.

Top Recommended Audit Firms for Singapore SMEs (2026)

Firm Type	Best For...
Mid-Tier Specialists	Growing SMEs seeking a balance of prestige and personal service.
SME-Focused Boutique	High-growth startups or small firms needing cost-effective, tech-driven audits.
The Big Four	Large SMEs preparing for an IPO or regional expansion.

Quick Checklist: Do You Actually Need an Audit?

Under the Companies Act, your SME is exempt from audit if it meets at least two of these three criteria for the past two consecutive financial years:

• Total Revenue: ≤ S10million

  
  

• Total Assets: ≤ S10million

  
  

• Number of Employees: ≤ 50

  
  

Note: Even if you are exempt, you must still prepare Unaudited Financial Statements that comply with the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS).

What to Look for in a 2026 Auditor

When interviewing a potential auditor, prioritize these factors for your business:

• ACRA Registration: Ensure the partner is a Public Accountant registered with ACRA.

  
  

• Digital Integration: Ask if they can pull data directly from your accounting software to lower fees.

  
  

• Fee Transparency: A standard SME audit in 2026 typically starts from S$ 2,500 to S$5,000 for simple entities, scaling upward with complexity.

  
  

• Industry Expertise: A firm with experience in your specific niche (e.g., F&B, Construction, E-commerce) will flag risks faster and save you from potential IRAS penalties.

  
  

Bestar Singapore Top Recommended Audit Firm for Singapore SMEs (2026)

In 2026, Bestar Singapore has emerged as a top-tier recommendation for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have outgrown basic "automated" apps but want to avoid the high overhead of the Big Four.

The firm is specifically optimized for the 2026 regulatory climate, where ACRA and IRAS have increased enforcement on Audit Quality Indicators (AQI) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance.

Why Bestar is Ranked Highly for Singapore SMEs (2026)

Bestar differentiates itself through a "Next-Gen" auditing model that prioritizes speed and data integrity over traditional manual sampling.

1. The 30-Day Audit Guarantee

In a market where traditional firms often take 60–90 days to finalize reports, Bestar utilizes an AI-driven workflow to complete statutory audits within a 30-day KPI. This is critical for SMEs needing audited statements for:

• Bank Loan Applications (DBS, OCBC, UOB).

  
  

• Government Grant Reimbursements (EDG, MRA).

  
  

• M&A Due Diligence or funding rounds.

2. AI-Powered "100% Population Testing"

Unlike older firms that use "sampling" (checking 5-10% of transactions), Bestar uses data analytics to perform 100% population testing.

• The Benefit: It identifies every single anomaly or outlier in your ledger, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring your XBRL filings are error-free before they reach ACRA.

3. Integrated "SME Growth Bundle"

Bestar solves the "bill shock" problem by bundling statutory audit with other essential compliance services.

• Pricing: Statutory audit fees start from S$2,800 for active SMEs (and as low as S$1,000 for dormant firms).

  
  

• Bundled Services: Includes XBRL filing, Tax computation (IRAS), and Corporate Secretarial support.

Service Comparison: Bestar vs. Competitors (2026)

Feature	Budget/Digital Apps	Bestar Singapore	Big Four (PwC, EY, etc.)
Ideal For	Micro-SMEs / Sole Props	Growing SMEs & Subsidiaries	MNCs & IPO-track Firms
Audit Depth	Basic Compliance	Strategic & AI-Driven	Global Forensic Standard
Turnaround	Variable/Slow	Guaranteed 30 Days	90+ Days
Tech Stack	Chatbot Support	Xero/QuickBooks/AI Sync	Proprietary Enterprise
Fees	Low (Hidden Extras)	Transparent Fixed-Fee	Premium (S$15k+)

Specialized SME Audit Services

Beyond the standard annual statutory audit, Bestar is frequently recommended for niche SME requirements in Singapore:

• Sales & Gross Turnover (GTO) Audits: Mandatory for tenants in major malls like CapitaLand or Frasers Property.

  
  

• BCA Audit: Essential for construction firms to maintain or upgrade their BCA grading and paid-up capital requirements.

  
  

• Grant & Subsidy Certification: Providing the independent auditor's report (IAR) required for Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) claims.

The "Bestar Edge" in 2026

What truly sets them apart this year is our Professional Clearance Guarantee. If you are switching from another auditor, Bestar manages the entire handover process—liaising with your previous firm and migrating data from your accounting software—with zero downtime for your business.

Would you like an inquiry for a fixed-fee quote from Bestar based on your current revenue and transaction volume?