How Much Does an Accountant Cost in Australia? A Small Business Guide
Wondering what you'll pay for an accountant in Australia? Here's a clear breakdown of typical fees, what affects pricing, and how to decide if it's worth the investment for your small business.
It’s one of the most common questions small business owners ask — and one of the hardest to get a straight answer on. How much does an accountant actually cost?
The honest answer is: it depends. But that’s not very helpful, so let’s break down what you can realistically expect to pay in Australia in 2026, what drives those costs, and how to figure out whether hiring an accountant is worth it for your business.
Typical accountant fees for small businesses
Accounting fees vary widely depending on the size and complexity of your business, but here are the ballpark figures most Australian small businesses fall into.
Sole traders and freelancers with straightforward affairs — say, under $200,000 in revenue, no employees, and no complex deductions — typically pay somewhere between $500 and $2,500 per year for an annual tax return and basic BAS support.
Small businesses turning over $200,000 to $1 million with a few employees, GST obligations, and a company or trust structure will generally pay between $2,000 and $6,000 per year. That usually covers tax returns, quarterly BAS preparation, and some general advice.
Businesses doing $1 million to $5 million in revenue with more complex structures, payroll, and compliance needs are often looking at $6,000 to $15,000 per year for comprehensive accounting and tax services.
These are annual figures for ongoing compliance work. One-off jobs like setting up a company structure, sorting out a tax issue, or getting specialist advice will be priced separately.
How accountants charge
Most accountants in Australia use one of three pricing models.
Hourly rates are still common, especially for ad hoc work. You’ll typically see $150 to $350 per hour depending on the accountant’s experience and location. A partner at a mid-tier firm charges more than a sole practitioner in a regional town.
Fixed-fee packages are becoming the norm for small business clients. You pay a set amount per month or per year for an agreed scope of work — usually BAS lodgement, annual tax returns, and a set number of advisory hours. This makes budgeting easier and avoids surprises.
Monthly retainers work similarly to fixed-fee packages but often include more hands-on involvement — regular check-ins, bookkeeping review, cash flow forecasting, and proactive tax planning. These typically run $200 to $800 per month for small businesses.
What affects the price
Several factors push accounting fees up or down.
Business structure. A sole trader tax return is simpler than a company return, which is simpler than a trust with multiple beneficiaries. More entities mean more work.
Revenue and transaction volume. The more money flowing through your business, the more transactions need to be categorised, reconciled, and reported. Higher turnover generally means higher fees.
State of your books. This is a big one. If your records are a mess — missing receipts, bank accounts that haven’t been reconciled in months, personal and business expenses mixed together — your accountant will spend more time cleaning things up. Clean books mean lower fees.
Industry complexity. Some industries have specific reporting or compliance requirements. Construction, for example, has TPAR reporting. Medical professionals have different deduction rules. Import/export businesses have additional GST considerations.
Level of service. There’s a difference between “lodge my tax return once a year” and “be my strategic financial partner.” The more advisory and planning work you want, the more you’ll pay — but the return on that investment is often significant.
Is it worth it?
For most small businesses, the answer is yes — and it’s not even close. A good accountant doesn’t just fill in forms. They help you structure your business tax-efficiently, make sure you’re claiming every deduction you’re entitled to, keep you compliant with the ATO so you avoid penalties and interest, spot financial problems before they become crises, and free up your time to focus on actually running your business.
The cost of an accountant is almost always less than the cost of getting it wrong. Missed deductions, late lodgement penalties, incorrect BAS calculations, and poor tax planning can easily cost multiples of what you’d pay a professional to get it right.
How to keep costs down
You have more control over your accounting fees than you might think.
Keep your books clean. The single biggest thing you can do is maintain tidy, up-to-date records. Use proper accounting software, reconcile your transactions regularly, and keep personal and business finances separate. The less cleanup your accountant needs to do, the less you’ll pay.
Use accounting software. Cloud-based tools that connect to your bank accounts, automate transaction categorisation, and handle invoicing will dramatically reduce the manual work your accountant needs to do. Most accountants will actually charge less if you’re using software they can plug straight into.
Be organised at tax time. Have your documents ready, answer questions promptly, and don’t leave everything to the last minute. Accountants are busiest (and sometimes most expensive) during peak tax season.
Ask about fixed-fee pricing. If your accountant charges by the hour, ask whether a fixed-fee arrangement is available. It aligns incentives better and gives you cost certainty.
What about doing it yourself?
If your business is very small and straightforward — say, you’re a sole trader with a handful of clients and simple expenses — you might manage with accounting software and the ATO’s own resources. But even then, it’s worth getting a professional review at least once a year.
Once your business has employees, a company or trust structure, GST obligations, or revenue above $200,000 or so, the complexity tends to outweigh the savings of doing it yourself. The risk of errors, missed deductions, and compliance issues grows quickly.
The bottom line
Accounting fees are a real business cost, but they’re one of the few expenses that routinely pays for itself. A good accountant saves you money, time, and stress. The key is finding someone who understands your business, communicates clearly, and charges fairly for the work they do.
If you’re shopping around, get quotes from two or three accountants, ask exactly what’s included, and don’t automatically go with the cheapest option. The accountant who charges a bit more but proactively saves you thousands in tax is the better deal every time.