How Much Should a CPA Actually Cost?

Kimberly Green | 2026-04-09

How Much Should a CPA Actually Cost? A Real Breakdown Nobody posts their CPA pricing online. You have to call. Then sit through a discovery call. Then wait for a proposal. Then find out the number doesn't include tax prep. It's exhausting. So let's just say it plainly: here's what CPAs and accountants actually charge, broken down by service type, business size, and what you should expect to get for the money. No fluff. No ranges so wide they're useless. Real numbers. Why CPA Pricing Is So Confusing The accounting industry has a pricing transparency problem. Most firms don't publish rates because they want to get you on the phone first—where they can qualify you, upsell you, and make sure you're not just price shopping. That's not necessarily bad. But it means most business owners go into their first CPA conversation completely blind. They don't know if $500/month is a deal or a rip-off. They don't know what's included. And they definitely don't know what they're giving up if they go cheap. Here's the thing: the cost of a bad CPA isn't just the fees. It's the missed deductions, the late filings, the wrong entity structure, the tax bill that surprises you in April. Those mistakes cost real money. The IRS doesn't care how your bookkeeper made the error—you still owe. What You're Actually Buying Before we get to numbers, it helps to understand that "CPA" covers a lot of ground. You might be hiring someone to: File your taxes once a year Keep your books clean every month Build a 3-year tax strategy to reduce what you owe Act as your part-time CFO and help you make better financial decisions Those are four very different services. And they come with very different price tags. CPA Pricing by Service Type Tax Preparation Only (Annual Filing) This is the most common entry point. You hire someone once a year to file your business and personal returns. Simple personal return (W-2 income, no complications): $200 to $500 Self-employed or freelancer with Schedule C: $400 to $900 Small business with S-corp or LLC: $800 to $2,500 Partnership or multi-entity: $2,000 to $5,000+ Monthly Bookkeeping Clean books every month. Categorized transactions, reconciled accounts, ready for tax time. Basic bookkeeping (under $100K revenue): $300 to $600/month Small business ($100K to $500K): $600 to $1,500/month Mid-market ($500K to $2M): $1,500 to $3,500/month Tax Planning & Preparation Quarterly meetings. Strategy calls. Year-end planning. Built to reduce what you owe, not just file what you owe. Solopreneurs/small business: $3,000 to $8,000/year Mid-market business: $8,000 to...