{"id":15182,"date":"2026-04-06T11:57:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T06:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/befreeltd.com\/au\/?p=15182"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:29:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T06:59:51","slug":"accounting-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/befreeltd.com\/au\/resources\/blogs\/accounting-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"Accounting Cost in Australia: How Much Do Accountants Charge & How to Reduce It"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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If you\u2019ve ever wondered\u00a0how much accountants charge in Australia<\/em>, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>

The tricky part? There\u2019s no fixed price. One business might pay $150 a month, while another spends over $1,000.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

In this guide, we\u2019ll break down real accounting costs, what you\u2019re actually paying for, and how to keep your fees under control.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is Included in Accounting Cost?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>

However, depending on your business type and size, accounting fees can vary. These services are often delivered as part of comprehensive\u00a0accounting services<\/a>\u00a0that combine handling your tax, reporting, and day-to-day finances.<\/p>
Service<\/strong><\/td>What It Covers<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Tax Return<\/td>Preparation and\u00a0lodgement with the ATO<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Bookkeeping<\/td>Tracking income, expenses, and daily transactions<\/td><\/tr>
BAS \/ GST<\/td>Business Activity Statement preparation and submission<\/td><\/tr>
Payroll<\/td>STP reporting, payslips, and superannuation compliance<\/td><\/tr>
Year-End Accounts<\/td>Financial statements and compliance reporting<\/td><\/tr>
Financial Advice<\/td>Tax planning and basic financial guidance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How Much Do Accountants Charge in Australia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>

The table below gives a clear overview of accounting costs for different types of businesses.<\/p>

Business Type<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

What It Includes<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Typical Cost (Australia)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Small Service Business (Salon, Consultant, Freelancer)<\/p><\/td>

Tax return, basic bookkeeping<\/p><\/td>

$150 \u2013 $400<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Growing Business (Restaurant, Clinic, Retail)<\/p><\/td>

BAS, payroll, compliance<\/p><\/td>

$300 \u2013 $800<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Established SME<\/p><\/td>

Full accounting, reporting, and compliance<\/p><\/td>

$800 \u2013 $1,500+<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Year-End Accounts<\/p><\/td>

Financial statements and reporting<\/p><\/td>

$1,000 \u2013 $3,000+<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Advisory \/ Hourly<\/p><\/td>

Tax planning, financial advice<\/p><\/td>

$100 \u2013 $300 per hour<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

The overall accounting cost is influenced by several key factors, including:<\/p>