Pricing
How much do accounting firms charge small businesses?
Short answer
Small businesses typically pay $150–$400 per hour for a CPA or chartered accountant, or $1,000–$5,000+ per year for year-end accounts and tax returns, depending on complexity and location.
Detailed answer
Fees depend on engagement scope
Hourly and annual figures vary greatly by country, qualification, entity and complexity. A straightforward tax return is not comparable to statutory accounts, audit, international tax advice or a finance transaction. The dollar amounts in the summary are broad illustrations and should not be treated as local quotes.
Compare like-for-like proposals
Ask each firm to specify included returns, accounts, meetings, review work and support for tax-authority questions. Separate recurring compliance from one-off projects. Share reconciled records and your entity details so the estimate is meaningful, and check how extra work is approved before an additional fee is incurred.
Country differences: rules, thresholds and terminology differ between the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Check the official source for your country below.
Official sources
Published by Expert Bookkeeping Services · Last updated 2026-11-01. General information only — confirm specifics for your situation with a qualified adviser.
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