Running a successful restaurant in New York requires much more than serving exceptional food. Restaurant owners must manage payroll, food costs, inventory, sales tax, vendor payments, tip reporting, financial statements, budgeting, and compliance while maintaining profitability in one of the world’s most competitive hospitality markets.

Whether you operate a neighborhood café in Brooklyn, a fine-dining restaurant in Manhattan, a growing franchise across Long Island, or a multi-location hospitality business throughout New York, choosing the right accounting partner can significantly impact your business’s financial health.

The best restaurant accounting firms do far more than prepare taxes. They provide bookkeeping, payroll management, inventory accounting, cash flow forecasting, budgeting, sales tax compliance, KPI reporting, and strategic financial advice that helps restaurant owners make better business decisions.

In this guide, we’ve highlighted ten accounting firms that serve restaurants throughout New York. Each firm offers different strengths depending on the size and needs of your business.

How We Selected These Accounting Firms

Every firm featured in this guide was selected based on several important factors:

• Restaurant and hospitality accounting experience
• Bookkeeping accuracy and reporting quality
• Payroll and employee tax expertise
• Sales tax compliance knowledge
• Cash flow management capabilities
• CFO and financial advisory services
• Technology and cloud accounting support
• Client satisfaction
• Value for money
• Ability to support growing businesses

1. TS Global Outsourcing – Best Overall Accounting Firm for Restaurants

If you’re looking for an accounting partner that combines affordability, modern technology, personalized support, and scalable financial management, TS Global Outsourcing stands out as one of the strongest choices for restaurant businesses in New York.

Unlike traditional accounting firms that mainly focus on year-end tax filing, TS Global functions as an extension of your restaurant’s finance department. Their team handles everything from daily bookkeeping and payroll processing to monthly reporting, tax preparation, budgeting, and outsourced CFO services.

Restaurant owners often struggle with fluctuating labor costs, vendor payments, inventory shrinkage, seasonal cash flow, and maintaining healthy profit margins. TS Global addresses these challenges through structured financial processes and detailed monthly reporting that provides complete visibility into restaurant performance.

Their outsourced accounting model is especially attractive for independent restaurants, restaurant groups, cafés, food trucks, cloud kitchens, bars, bakeries, and franchises that want enterprise-level financial management without hiring an in-house accounting department.

Services

• Restaurant bookkeeping
• Payroll management
• Sales tax filing
• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable
• Inventory accounting
• Financial reporting
• Cash flow forecasting
• Budget planning
• CFO services
• Tax preparation
• Business advisory

Why Restaurants Choose TS Global

• Dedicated accounting professionals
• Cloud accounting systems
• Transparent monthly reporting
• Affordable pricing
• Quick response times
• Industry-focused financial advice
• Scalable solutions for growing restaurants
• Strong support for multi-location businesses

Ideal For:

• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Food trucks
• Bakeries
• Bars
• Fine dining
• Franchises
• Hospitality groups

2. Citrin Cooperman

Citrin Cooperman is one of New York’s largest accounting firms and provides comprehensive accounting and advisory services for hospitality businesses. Their team assists restaurants with tax planning, audits, financial reporting, and strategic consulting.

Large restaurant groups often appreciate their ability to support complex organizational structures and expansion strategies.

Best For:

• Restaurant chains
• Hospitality groups
• Large organizations

3. Grassi Advisors & Accountants

Grassi has built a strong reputation within hospitality accounting by helping restaurant owners improve profitability while remaining compliant with changing tax regulations.

Their professionals work closely with restaurants on budgeting, forecasting, payroll, audits, and operational efficiency.

Popular Services

• Restaurant accounting
• Payroll
• Business consulting
• Tax planning
• Financial analysis

4. Marcum LLP

Marcum serves restaurants ranging from independent establishments to national hospitality brands.

Their hospitality specialists help businesses improve internal controls, optimize financial performance, and prepare long-term growth strategies.

Restaurants expanding into multiple locations often benefit from their advisory expertise.

5. Mazars USA

Mazars provides accounting and consulting solutions for hospitality companies operating in competitive markets like New York.

Their services extend beyond bookkeeping into financial strategy, business advisory, audits, and tax optimization.

Ideal For:

• Mid-sized restaurant groups
• Hospitality businesses
• Growing franchises

6. EisnerAmper

EisnerAmper is well known for serving medium and enterprise-level businesses.

Restaurant owners working with private investors, multiple entities, or expansion plans often choose EisnerAmper for sophisticated financial planning and compliance.

Their advisory team also supports mergers, acquisitions, and restaurant investments.

7. PKF O’Connor Davies

PKF O’Connor Davies provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to hospitality businesses across New York.

Their professionals assist restaurants with payroll compliance, financial reporting, audits, tax planning, and operational improvements.

8. Anchin

Anchin has extensive experience serving restaurants and hospitality businesses throughout New York.

Their team understands restaurant margins, labor challenges, inventory management, and tax complexities that affect profitability.

Services Include

• Accounting
• Payroll
• Financial planning
• Restaurant consulting
• Tax compliance

9. CohnReznick

CohnReznick works with many hospitality businesses and restaurant groups throughout the United States.

Their specialists assist with financial planning, tax strategy, internal controls, audits, and technology implementation.

Restaurants preparing for expansion often value their advisory expertise.

10. BDO USA

BDO USA rounds out our list with a strong portfolio of accounting, tax, assurance, and advisory services.

Restaurant operators seeking a national accounting firm with extensive industry knowledge may find BDO to be an excellent choice.

Their professionals work with both independent restaurants and large hospitality brands.

Comparison of the Top Accounting Firms

Why Restaurants Need Specialized Accounting

Restaurant accounting differs significantly from accounting for other businesses.

A restaurant generates hundreds or even thousands of transactions daily, deals with inventory spoilage, manages tipped employees, tracks food costs, pays multiple vendors, handles varying labor schedules, and complies with strict sales tax regulations.

Generic accounting firms often overlook restaurant-specific metrics that directly influence profitability.

Restaurant accountants understand:

• Food cost percentage
• Labor percentage
• Prime cost
• Average ticket value
• Inventory turnover
• Daily cash reconciliation
• Tip reporting
• Seasonal forecasting
• Vendor management

Having professionals who understand these metrics enables owners to identify financial issues before they become major problems.

How Much Does Restaurant Accounting Cost in New York?

Accounting costs vary depending on the size and complexity of your restaurant.

Typical monthly pricing includes:

• Small Restaurant: $300–$700
• Medium Restaurant: $700–$1,500
• Multi-location Restaurant: $1,500–$5,000+
• Outsourced CFO Services: $1,500–$8,000+ per month

The investment often pays for itself through improved financial management, tax savings, reduced errors, and stronger cash flow.

How to Choose the Right Restaurant Accounting Firm

Before selecting an accounting partner, consider the following questions:

• Do they understand restaurant operations?
• Can they manage payroll and tips?
• Do they provide monthly financial reports?
• Can they help improve profitability?
• Are they familiar with restaurant POS systems?
• Do they offer CFO services?
• Can they scale as your business grows?
• Do they provide proactive tax planning?

Choosing a firm based solely on price often leads to missed opportunities and costly mistakes. Instead, focus on expertise, responsiveness, technology, and long-term value.

Benefits of Outsourcing Restaurant Accounting

Many restaurant owners are replacing in-house accounting with outsourced financial teams.

Benefits include:

• Lower operating costs
• Experienced accounting professionals
• Better financial reporting
• Improved tax compliance
• Reduced payroll errors
• Access to CFO expertise
• Scalable services
• Better cash flow management
• More time to focus on restaurant operations
• Increased profitability

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounting software do restaurants commonly use?

Most restaurants use cloud-based accounting software such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, or Sage, often integrated with POS systems for streamlined bookkeeping and reporting.

Can accountants help reduce restaurant taxes?

Yes. Experienced restaurant accountants identify deductible expenses, optimize entity structures, manage depreciation, and implement proactive tax planning strategies that legally reduce tax liabilities.

Do restaurants need monthly bookkeeping?

Absolutely. Monthly bookkeeping ensures accurate financial statements, helps monitor profitability, supports cash flow management, and prevents costly errors during tax season.

Is outsourced accounting better than hiring an in-house accountant?

For many small and medium-sized restaurants, outsourced accounting provides access to a full team of specialists at a significantly lower cost than hiring an internal finance department.

What financial reports should restaurant owners review every month?

Owners should review profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports, labor cost reports, food cost reports, and sales trend analyses.

Can accounting firms manage restaurant payroll?

Yes. Most restaurant accounting firms handle payroll processing, payroll tax filings, employee benefits, and tip reporting while ensuring compliance with labor regulations.

Why is inventory accounting important for restaurants?

Inventory accounting helps track food costs, reduce waste, prevent shrinkage, and maintain healthy profit margins by providing accurate stock valuations.

How often should restaurants meet with their accountant?

Monthly meetings are recommended to review financial performance, discuss cash flow, monitor KPIs, and plan for upcoming tax obligations.

Can accountants help restaurants expand?

Yes. Many firms provide budgeting, financial forecasting, funding support, and strategic advisory services that help restaurants successfully open additional locations.

Which accounting firm is best for small restaurants in New York?

For independent restaurants and growing hospitality businesses seeking personalized service, cloud-based accounting, and scalable financial support, TS Global Outsourcing is a strong option due to its focus on proactive bookkeeping, reporting, payroll, tax planning, and outsourced CFO services.

Final Thoughts

Restaurant success depends on more than exceptional food and service—it also requires disciplined financial management. From managing payroll and inventory to maintaining tax compliance and monitoring profitability, the right accounting partner can make a measurable difference in your business’s long-term growth.

The firms listed above each bring valuable expertise to New York’s restaurant industry. Your ideal choice will depend on your restaurant’s size, complexity, budget, and future expansion plans. If you’re looking for an accounting partner that combines modern technology, dedicated support, transparent reporting, and scalable outsourced finance solutions, TS Global Outsourcing is well-positioned to help restaurants streamline operations and build stronger financial foundations.