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The Daily Insight

How much do accountants charge to set up a company?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 22, 2026

BAS and IAS can start from $200 per quarter for a sole trader business and more for a company or trust. With all monthly costs considered, the average accountant costs for small businesses ranges between $1,000 and $5,000 per year.

Can an accountant set up a business?

The Start-Up Process When you start a business, there are many actions you need to take and systems you need to set up to create the foundation for a successful business. An accountant can help by: Determining the best business structure (i.e., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, partnership) for your situation.

How do you set up accounting records?

How to set up accounting books for small business: 7 steps

  1. Select an accounting method.
  2. Determine how you will record transactions.
  3. Set up a chart of accounts.
  4. Open a business bank account.
  5. Determine how your business will get paid.
  6. Keep a record of expenses.
  7. Make a schedule and set reminders.

How much do accountants charge for Ltd company accounts?

Limited company accountants typically charge a monthly fee; the fees will vary based on what’s included in the package, but will likely fall between the range of £65 – £200. Aside from a monthly fee structure, there may be accounting providers that charge an ad-hoc fee or on a service-by-service basis.

The cost of a good business tax accountant For a business in a company or a trust structure with revenue of $500k or less, you can expect annual tax and compliance to start at between $3,000 – $5,000 + GST.

How much do accountants charge for bookkeeping and payroll?

With an hourly pricing structure, the accountant charges an hourly rate for their work. This rate could range from $150 – $400 or more per hour.

How much should small business bookkeeping cost?

On average, you should expect to pay between $400 and $800 per month + benefits for part-time bookkeeping services. For full-time bookkeeping, you will be up paying between $3,000 and $4,500 per month. Outsourced services, on the other hand, are priced between $500 and $2,500 a month.

How much does it cost to have bookkeeping services?

What are accounting fees for a small business?

Accounting fees for a small business are generally much higher than bookkeeping services fees. Accountants generally have more education than bookkeepers and, with their CPA title, can file taxes on behalf of your business.

What’s the best way to charge a bookkeeper?

The most common option is for bookkeeping services fees to be charged via a flat fee or a fixed-price agreement. Before you actually sit down with your bookkeeper to discuss any bookkeeping services fees, you will want to have a clear idea of what exactly you will be asking your bookkeeper to do.

How much does it cost to hire an accountant?

Fees will include Self Assessment, business accounts preparation and submission, Companies House submission, VAT returns, payroll (for members of staff), bookkeeping, and so on. Fees for limited companies can vary from as little as £100 to well over £1,000 a month depending on the size and complexity of their businesses.