If you’ve ever wondered how much accountants charge in Australia, you’re not alone.
The tricky part? There’s no fixed price. One business might pay $150 a month, while another spends over $1,000.
What this really comes down to is how complex your business is, how organised your records are, and how much support you need throughout the year.
In this guide, we’ll break down real accounting costs, what you’re actually paying for, and how to keep your fees under control.
What is Included in Accounting Cost?
When a business owner asks what the accounting cost is or how much an accountant should charge for their services, most assume it is just for lodging a tax return.
However, depending on your business type and size, accounting fees can vary. These services are often delivered as part of comprehensive accounting services that combine handling your tax, reporting, and day-to-day finances.
| Service | What It Covers |
| Tax Return | Preparation and lodgement with the ATO |
| Bookkeeping | Tracking income, expenses, and daily transactions |
| BAS / GST | Business Activity Statement preparation and submission |
| Payroll | STP reporting, payslips, and superannuation compliance |
| Year-End Accounts | Financial statements and compliance reporting |
| Financial Advice | Tax planning and basic financial guidance |
These services may be charged separately or bundled into accounting packages for small businesses. Businesses should track costs more closely to understand where money is being spent, especially if they use multiple services.
How Much Do Accountants Charge in Australia
The small business accountant cost in Australia depends on a few key factors: the size of your business, your transaction volume, and the level of compliance work involved.
The table below gives a clear overview of accounting costs for different types of businesses.
Business Type | What It Includes | Typical Cost (Australia) |
Small Service Business (Salon, Consultant, Freelancer) | Tax return, basic bookkeeping | $150 – $400 |
Growing Business (Restaurant, Clinic, Retail) | BAS, payroll, compliance | $300 – $800 |
Established SME | Full accounting, reporting, and compliance | $800 – $1,500+ |
Year-End Accounts | Financial statements and reporting | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
Advisory / Hourly | Tax planning, financial advice | $100 – $300 per hour |
The overall accounting cost is influenced by several key factors, including:
- Transaction volume
- GST and payroll requirements
- Record accuracy
- Industry complexity
- Level of reporting needed
Accounting Packages for Small Business
Many accounting firms offer structured monthly plans, and these accounting packages for small businesses help make costs more predictable.
Package | Suitable For | Monthly Cost | What’s Included |
Basic Package | Small service businesses | $150 – $300 | Tax return, basic bookkeeping |
Standard Package | Growing SMEs | $300 – $600 | BAS, payroll, bookkeeping |
Advanced Package | Established businesses | $600 – $1,200+ | Full compliance and reporting |
You can also check detailed accounting packages for small business to see what’s included in each plan.
Accounting Calculator for Businesses: Estimate Your Costs
Accounting costs in Australia vary depending on your business size, transaction volume, GST requirements, payroll needs, and reporting complexity.
For most small businesses, accounting fees typically range from $300 to $800 per month. If your business has higher transaction volumes, multiple income streams, or more complex compliance requirements, costs may be higher.
Using an accounting calculator can help you estimate your monthly costs more accurately based on your specific business needs.
Accounting Cost by Business Type
Accounting costs also increase with your growing business and corresponding compliance requirements.
For example:
- GST-registered businesses have to lodge a BAS
- Employers have to follow STP rules for payroll
- Companies have to have structured financial reports
- More locations or services mean more detailed tracking
| Business Type | Typical Cost | Outsourced Cost |
| Small Service Business | $150–$400 | $100–$250 |
| Growing SME | $300–$800 | $150–$400 |
| Established Business | $800–$1,500+ | $300–$700 |
| Complex / Multi-Entity | $1,500–$3,000+ | $700–$1,200 |
Accounting costs increase as complexity grows due to increased reporting and compliance requirements.
Hidden Accounting Costs Most Businesses Overlook
Many businesses only focus on the basic monthly charge and don’t consider other fees that may arise over the course of the year. These are often referred to as a service charge in accounting.
| Cost Area | What It Means | Impact |
| Late Lodgement | Missing ATO deadlines | Penalties |
| Data Cleanup | Fixing incomplete or messy records | Extra fees |
| Advisory Time | Calls, planning, and consultations | Hourly billing |
| Urgent Work | Last-minute submissions | Premium charges |
| Software Fees | Accounting tools and licences | Monthly cost |
These extra charges can add up to an increase in total accounting costs ranging from 15 to 30%.
Accounting Cost by Service Type
Not all accounting fees are arranged in a similar way. Some are billed per return, while others are billed monthly or packaged. The cost of accounting depends on various factors such as workload, volume of transactions, and record quality.
For small and medium-sized businesses in Australia, accounting services must comply with ATO regulations such as BAS lodgement, payroll reporting, and tax compliance.
| Accounting Service | What’s Included | Australian Accounting Cost (Typical) | Outsourced Accounting |
| Tax Return | Preparation, lodgement, compliance checks | $150–$800 per return | $100–$350 per return |
| BAS / GST | GST calculation, review, and BAS submission | $200–$500 per return | $100–$250 per return |
| Year-End Accounts | Financial statements, adjustments, and reporting | $1,000–$3,000+ | $500–$1,500 or included |
| Bookkeeping | Recording transactions, reconciliation | $200–$600 per month | $100–$300 per month |
| Cost & Management Accounting | Budgeting, cost tracking, and insights | Charged as an add-on | Included in scope |
DIY Accounting vs Outsourced Accountant vs In-House Accountant
Businesses typically manage their accounting in one of three ways: by using software, by outsourcing the task to an accountant, or by employing an in-house expert.
Factor | DIY Accounting | Outsourced Accountant | In-House Accountant |
Typical Cost | $30–$100/month (software) | $150–$500/month | $70,000+ average annual salary |
Time Required | High | Low | Low |
Expertise | Basic software knowledge | Professional accounting support | Full-time internal expertise |
Compliance Risk | Higher if mistakes occur | Low | Low |
Scalability | Limited | Easy to scale | Depends on hiring |
Best For | Very small businesses | SMEs and growing businesses | Large or complex organisations |
The outsourced accountant helps companies access professional support at a fraction of the cost of employing an in-house professional. To understand this better, read our article on outsourcing vs in-house accounting.
Australia Accounting Costs: Then vs Now vs Outsourced Model
Accounting costs in Australia have increased over the past few years due to stricter compliance, higher salaries, and growing reliance on software.
Cost Area | 3–5 Years Ago (Australia) | Current Australia Reality | Outsourced Accounting Model |
Hourly accountant cost | $70–$150 / hr | $100–$300 / hr | $30–$80 / hr (effective) |
Year-end accounts | $800–$2,000 | $2,000–$5,000+ | Included or bundled in packages |
Tax return fees | $100–$250 | $300–$800 | $100–$350 (typical range) |
Small business monthly fees | $150–$300 | $300–$800+ | $150–$400 / month |
Cost & management accounting | Often included | Charged as an add-on | Included in scope |
Service charges & extras | Minimal | Frequent add-ons | No hidden charges |
Staffing & hiring | Manageable | High recruitment & salary cost | No hiring or payroll cost |
Scalability | Linear growth | Slow & expensive | Fast & flexible |
Cost predictability | Medium | Low | High & forecastable |
Compliance | ATO-aligned standards | Increased ATO scrutiny & reporting | ATO-aligned, BAS & STP compliant |
Why Accounting Costs are Increasing in Australia
Accounting costs in Australia are rising due to many key factors that affect both accountants and businesses:
- Stricter ATO compliance: Increasing requirements from the Australian Taxation Office mean more time spent on accuracy, checks, and reporting.
- Digital reporting systems: Ongoing obligations like STP and BAS have made accounting a continuous process rather than a yearly task.
- Rising salaries: Higher demand for skilled accountants has led to increased wages and operational costs.
- Software expenses: Cloud accounting tools increase overall accounting software cost, especially as businesses scale and require more advanced features.
- More frequent reporting: Regular submissions and compliance updates increase workload and time required.
These factors collectively contribute to higher accounting fees for Australian businesses.
Reduce Accounting Costs and Avoid Extra Charges
Businesses can reduce their accounting costs and avoid unexpected fees by taking the following practical steps:
- Maintain accurate and structured financial records throughout the year to reduce rectification effort.
- Avoid last-minute submissions, which sometimes result in rush costs and fines.
- Utilise dependable cloud accounting technologies to streamline procedures and boost efficiency.
- Choose fixed monthly pricing to improve expense control and predictability.
- Bundle accounting services to lower total expenses as opposed to paying separately.
- Outsource routine accounting chores to lower staffingexpenses while maintaining professional quality.
These steps help improve financial management while keeping accounting expenses under control.
How Outsourcing Helps to Reduce Accounting Cost
Many small and medium-sized businesses in Australia are using outsourced accounting support to help manage costs better while being compliant.
The key difference lies in operating costs, staffing overhead, and pricing flexibility.
Cost Factor | Traditional Australian Accounting | Outsourced Accounting |
Staffing costs | Higher salaries, superannuation, overheads | Lower operating cost base |
Pricing model | Hourly or per service | Fixed monthly / volume-based |
Seasonal workload | Higher fees during peak periods | Work distributed year-round |
Hiring & scaling | Limited flexibility, high cost | No hiring or payroll burden |
Add-on charges | Common for reviews and corrections | Included within scope |
Cost predictability | Low | High and forecastable |
Compliance | ATO standards | ATO-aligned processes |
If you want to reduce your accounting costs without compromising compliance, professional bookkeeping support can help streamline your financial processes and improve cost predictability.
Conclusion
Knowing your accounting fees is essential for effective management of your business finances.
Whether you have a small or medium-sized business, it is essential to understand your accounting fees to effectively manage your finances.
Many Australian businesses are exploring outsourced accounting as a way to manage costs more efficiently.
If you need an effective, scalable, and cost-effective solution for your accounting needs, get in touch with Befree and find a plan that fits your business.
Disclaimer
The prices mentioned above are indicative and may vary depending on your business size, complexity, and specific requirements. Actual accounting costs can differ based on services included, transaction volume, and compliance needs. This content is for general informational purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should an accountant charge in Australia?
The accounting cost in Australia typically ranges from $150 to $800+, depending on business complexity and services required.
How much do accountants charge per hour?
Accountants typically charge between $100 and $300 per hour, depending on experience and the type of work involved. Basic tasks cost less, while advisory and complex financial services are charged at higher rates.
How much should an accountant charge for tax returns?
Tax return fees typically range from $150 to $800 or more, depending on the complexity of your return and the number of income sources involved. Businesses with straightforward finances will sit at the lower end, while those with multiple revenue streams, investments, or trust structures will pay more. Reducing manual work through automation can also bring costs down — which is why accounting software cost is worth factoring into your overall finance budget.
How much do accountants charge for year-end accounts?
Fees for year end accounts typically range from $1,000 to $3,000+, depending on business size and complexity. Costs increase with reporting requirements, especially when using cost accounting software.
What is the cost of an accountant for a small business?
The cost of an accountant for a small business is usually $300 to $800 per month. Many providers offer accounting packages for small businesses that help manage overall costs efficiently while covering essential accounting needs.
How can businesses reduce accounting costs?
Businesses can lower costs by keeping records organised, automating processes, and outsourcing routine tasks. Using an accounting cost calculator helps plan and control expenses effectively.