The Advisory Benchmark

The Advisory Benchmark is Ayming’s independent recognition of CPA firms delivering exceptional advisory impact through innovation, technical expertise, and client-focused execution.

Advisory leadership is evolving

Across the accounting profession, leadership is no longer defined by compliance alone. Today’s clients expect strategic insight, technical depth, and proactive guidance that helps them navigate increasingly complex business decisions.

Many CPA firms are already delivering that value every day, often without recognition beyond their client base.

The Advisory Benchmark was created to change that.

This independent recognition highlights firms advancing advisory excellence through disciplined execution, innovation, and measurable client impact. It is not a popularity contest or a marketing-driven ranking. It is a benchmark designed to provide a clearer view of where advisory leadership is happening across the profession.

The Advisory Benchmark

Built on comparability, not size

Traditional recognition often favors scale over substance. The Advisory Benchmark is designed differently. Boutique, mid-market and regional firms are evaluated separately so each firm is measured against true peers. 

This approach surfaces meaningful leadership regardless of firm size. Whether a firm serves a focused local market or operates across multiple regions, excellence is evaluated in context, not by comparison to enterprises with fundamentally different operating models. 

Benchmark Categories

• Boutique Firms
• Mid-Market Firms
• Regional Firms

Independent by design

The Advisory Benchmark is free to apply and assessed using a transparent scoring framework. Submissions are reviewed by an independent panel with experience across public accounting, advisory growth and client service delivery. 

The intent is to provide confidence in both the process and the outcome. Firms are recognized based on how they operate, not how loudly they promote.

Why the Advisory Benchmark matters now

The most forward-looking CPA firms are already operating in a new way. They are expanding advisory capabilities, investing in technical specialization, and redefining their role in client decision making. However, many of these firms have not been formally recognized because the profession lacks a consistent benchmark for modern advisory excellence.

The Advisory Benchmark provides that reference point.

Not simply as an award, but as a clear standard for what strong advisory leadership looks like today.