Michael Johnson Associates
Michael Johnson Associates is a privately held Australian consulting firm founded in 1983, specialising in R&D Tax Incentive, ESIC private ruling, and government grant application services for businesses across all Australian industries and states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Michael Johnson Associates does
Michael Johnson Associates (MJA) is a privately held Australian professional services firm headquartered in Surry Hills, NSW, founded in 1983. The firm specialises in helping Australian companies maximise value from government innovation programs, with three core service lines: R&D Tax Incentive consulting (compliance, registration, audit defence, and Overseas/Advanced Findings), ESIC private ruling services (helping early-stage innovation companies secure investor tax offsets and CGT relief), and Grant Applications (federal programs such as ARENA and the Industry Growth Program, plus state-level schemes). The firm's client base is horizontal — Australian businesses of all sizes, across all industries and all states and territories, that invest in R&D.
MJA's value proposition rests entirely on human expertise rather than technology. The team comprises five named senior consultants (Kris Gale, Melanie Reen, Sarah Lander, Craig Stewart, Jane Drummond) holding qualifications in law, economics, biological sciences, biotechnology, agriculture, and microbial genetics, with over 150 years of collective experience in the R&D tax program. All are registered tax agents. MJA is documented as the only firm to have consulted on both the R&D Tax Incentive and ESIC programs since their inception, and the team maintains ongoing relationships with the ATO, AusIndustry, and Innovation Australia, with direct input into Senate committee reviews. The firm has authored the CCH Federal Tax Report and Master Tax Guide chapters on the R&D tax incentive continuously since 1985.
The business model is fee-for-service professional consulting. R&D tax work is billed annually on a set-cost basis covering registration, documentation, calculations, and ongoing compliance. Grant applications carry a modest upfront fee plus a success-based component tied to grant size. ESIC private rulings use a fixed application fee plus hourly rates for ATO liaison. Discovery calls and initial ESIC consultations are provided at no charge. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, driven by content marketing through the MJA Updates blog, LinkedIn presence, and direct outreach. Revenue, headcount growth, and ownership structure are not publicly disclosed.
Michael Johnson Associates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Michael Johnson Associates
- Legal name
- Michael Johnson Associates Pty Limited
- Website
- https://mjassociates.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Michael Johnson Associates is a privately held Australian consulting firm founded in 1983, specialising in R&D Tax Incentive, ESIC private ruling, and government grant application services for businesses across all Australian industries and states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Michael Johnson Associates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- R&D Tax Incentive and Innovation Funding Consulting
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Innovation, Product & R&D Consulting (BPAHACAM), Tax Operations Support (Indirect Tax, Withholding, Compliance Admin) (BPAAAGAI)
Keywords
Where Michael Johnson Associates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Michael Johnson Associates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- R&D Tax Incentive Consulting Services: Fee-for-service consulting model providing R&D tax incentive compliance, registration, audit defence, and advisory services. MJA charges established fees for annual claim registration handling, documentation identification and collection, financial calculations, and ongoing compliance management. They also provide grant writing services with a modest upfront payment and a success-based fee component tied to grant size.
- ESIC Private Ruling Services: Fixed-rate fees for ESIC private ruling application lodgement, with hourly rates for ongoing work required to progress applications with the ATO.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Fee for Service - Standard consulting engagement |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Grant Application Success Fee |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ESIC Private Ruling - Fixed Rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Michael Johnson Associates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Michael Johnson Associates is a specialist consulting firm that advises Australian businesses on claiming and maximising government innovation funding through three service lines: R&D Tax Incentive consulting (eligibility, documentation, financial calculations, ongoing compliance, and audit defence), ESIC private ruling services (eligibility assessment, application lodgement and ongoing ATO engagement for Early Stage Innovation Companies), and Grant Applications (strategy, eligibility evaluation, drafting and management of applications for federal and state innovation grants such as ARENA, the DISR Industry Growth Program and state-based programs like the NSW Medical Devices Fund). Services are delivered as a fee-for-service engagement by a small senior team of registered tax agents qualified in law, engineering, science and business.
Product overview
Michael Johnson Associates (MJA) is a consulting firm offering three core service offerings for Australian businesses seeking government innovation funding: R&D Tax Incentives (core consulting for claiming tax offsets on eligible R&D expenditure), ESIC (Early Stage Innovation Companies) private ruling services to help startups attract investor funding through tax offsets and CGT relief, and Grant Applications (professional grant writing and review services for federal and state innovation grant programs). These services are delivered by a team of qualified R&D tax consultants as a unified consultancy offering rather than as a software platform or modular product suite.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- R&D Tax Incentives Consulting service guiding Australian businesses through the R&D Tax Incentive process, including identifying eligible R&D activities and expenditure, preparing claim documentation, forms and schedules, financial calculations, ensuring compliance, and managing reviews and audits. Helps clients access a tax offset for eligible R&D expenditure that can reduce tax liability or result in a cash refund, and works across all industries and Australian states and territories.
- ESIC (Early Stage Innovation Companies) Private Ruling Services Consulting service that assesses a company's eligibility for Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) status, prepares Private Ruling Applications, and manages lodgement and ongoing engagement with the ATO. Supports access to tax offsets and capital gains tax relief for investors in qualifying early stage innovation companies.
- Grant Applications Consulting service that identifies relevant federal and state government innovation grant opportunities (including ARENA, DISR's Industry Growth Program, and state-based programs such as the NSW Medical Devices Fund), develops grant strategies, evaluates eligibility, drafts applications, and manages the grant application process for Australian businesses across sectors including renewable energy, manufacturing and technology.
Quantifiable outcome
- R&D Tax Incentive provides tax offset for eligible R&D expenditure that can reduce tax liability or result in a cash refund for reinvestment in business growth
Companies that use Michael Johnson Associates
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Michael Johnson Associates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Michael Johnson Associates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Michael Johnson Associates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PwC Australia: Big 4 firm with a government incentives and R&D tax practice serving enterprise clients. Competes with MJA on RDTI advisory work while bundling into broader tax, assurance, and consulting engagements.
- Deloitte Australia: Big 4 firm providing R&D tax incentive advisory, government grants consulting, and innovation funding services across Australia. Competes with MJA especially for larger, more complex R&D programs.
- Pitcher Partners: Australian accounting and advisory firm with an R&D tax incentives practice serving SMEs and family-owned businesses. Overlaps with MJA on R&D claim preparation and grant advisory work.
- EY Australia: Big 4 firm with a dedicated R&D and government incentives practice, advising on RDTI, grants, and innovation funding. Targets the same client base as MJA with deeper cross-sell into broader tax and advisory services.
- Grant Thornton Australia: Mid-tier accounting and advisory network with an R&D tax incentives practice serving Australian mid-market companies. Overlaps with MJA's client segment on R&D tax claim preparation and compliance.
- BDO Australia: Major Australian accounting and advisory network with a dedicated R&D tax incentives practice serving mid-market and enterprise clients. Competes with MJA on R&D tax claim work while offering broader audit, tax, and advisory cross-sell.
- RSM Australia: Mid-tier accounting network offering R&D tax incentive advisory alongside broader business advisory services. Competes with MJA for SME and mid-market R&D tax clients.
- KPMG Australia: Big 4 firm with a significant R&D tax incentives practice advising large corporates and ASX-listed entities on RDTI claims and grant strategy. Competes with MJA particularly on enterprise-scale R&D engagements.
Regional players
- HLB Mann Judd: Australian accounting and business advisory network offering R&D tax incentive services primarily to SMEs across Australia. Comparable to MJA in serving mid-market R&D-active businesses but with broader generalist positioning.
Direct peers
- Swanson Reed: Australian R&D tax incentive specialist firm offering claim preparation, registration, and compliance services to Australian businesses. Closest direct competitor to MJA, operating in the same niche with similar consulting-led delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Michael Johnson Associates social profiles
Digital presenceMichael Johnson Associates compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Michael Johnson Associates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Michael Johnson Associates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Michael Johnson Associates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Michael Johnson Associates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Michael Johnson Associates
What does Michael Johnson Associates do?
Michael Johnson Associates is a specialist consulting firm that advises Australian businesses on claiming and maximising government innovation funding through three service lines: R&D Tax Incentive consulting (eligibility, documentation, financial calculations, ongoing compliance, and audit defence), ESIC private ruling services (eligibility assessment, application lodgement and ongoing ATO engagement for Early Stage Innovation Companies), and Grant Applications (strategy, eligibility evaluation, drafting and management of applications for federal and state innovation grants such as ARENA, the DISR Industry Growth Program and state-based programs like the NSW Medical Devices Fund). Services are delivered as a fee-for-service engagement by a small senior team of registered tax agents qualified in law, engineering, science and business.
Is Michael Johnson Associates a public or private company?
Michael Johnson Associates is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Michael Johnson Associates founded?
Michael Johnson Associates was founded in 1983. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Michael Johnson Associates based?
Michael Johnson Associates is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Michael Johnson Associates make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. R&D Tax Incentive Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are ESIC Private Ruling Services.
Who are Michael Johnson Associates's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PwC Australia, Deloitte Australia, Pitcher Partners, EY Australia, Grant Thornton Australia, BDO Australia, RSM Australia and KPMG Australia. HLB Mann Judd is listed as a regional player. Swanson Reed is listed as a direct peer.
Does Michael Johnson Associates have an API?
No public API is recorded for Michael Johnson Associates.
What industry is Michael Johnson Associates in?
Michael Johnson Associates's product category is R&D Tax Incentive and Innovation Funding Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEALAO, Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance), with a secondary code of BPAHACAM, Innovation, Product & R&D Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.