Cost of an accountant in Australia 2026 typical fees by service + business structure

The Finance Desk · Editorial team, accountants + mortgage brokers + financial planners + conveyancers · Updated 6 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Individual tax returns run $150-$600 depending on complexity. Sole trader full-year service $1,500-$3,500. Pty Ltd company $3,000-$8,000. Trust structures $4,000-$10,000+. Most accountants quote fixed fees for routine work; hourly billing applies to advisory and complex matters.

★Key takeaways

  • ✓Simple individual tax return: $150-$300. With investments: $300-$600.
  • ✓Sole trader full-year: $1,500-$3,500. Pty Ltd: $3,000-$8,000. Trust: $4,000-$10,000+.
  • ✓Most accountants quote fixed fees for routine work, hourly for advisory.
  • ✓Accountant fees for tax matters are tax-deductible.
  • ✓Combining bookkeeper (cheap monthly) + accountant (annual tax + advice) saves money for small business.

Individual tax return fees

Return type Typical fee (AUD) What is included
Basic PAYG salary only$150-$220Income summary, work-related deductions, donations
Plus 1-2 investment properties$300-$500Rental income, depreciation, all deductions, CGT events
Plus share portfolio with trading$400-$650Dividend income, CGT calculations, franking credits
With small business income (sole trader)$500-$900Business schedule, deductions, depreciation, GST if registered
Trust beneficiary distributions$500-$1,200Trust income, family trust election issues
Foreign income complications$800-$2,000+Foreign tax credits, FIF rules, currency conversion

Small business annual accountant cost

Business structure Typical annual fee Includes
Sole trader (basic)$1,500-$2,500Tax return, basic advice, BAS if GST-registered
Sole trader (growth)$2,500-$3,500Above + quarterly BAS, ongoing advice, tax planning
Pty Ltd (small)$3,000-$5,000Company tax return, BAS, ASIC fees, director services
Pty Ltd (mid)$5,000-$8,000Above + payroll, multiple BAS, FBT if applicable
Discretionary trust$4,000-$7,000Trust return + beneficiary distributions + trustee company
Family group (Pty Ltd + Trust)$6,000-$10,000+Multiple entities, group strategy, distribution planning
SMSF (separate from above)$2,500-$4,500SMSF accounting, audit, financial statements, regulatory compliance

Specific service pricing

Service Typical cost
Company registration (Pty Ltd)$1,200-$2,500 + $597 ASIC fee
Trust setup (discretionary trust)$1,500-$3,000 + stamp duty
SMSF setup$1,500-$3,500 + ATO fees
BAS preparation (quarterly)$250-$600/quarter
Payroll processing (per pay run)$50-$150 per pay run
EOFY tax planning session$400-$1,500
ATO audit support (per hour)$350-$600/hour
Business sale advisory$3,000-$15,000+ depending on deal size

Bookkeeper vs accountant: cost comparison

For most small businesses, the cheapest competent setup is a bookkeeper + accountant combination:

  • Bookkeeper. Daily/weekly/monthly transaction processing, BAS preparation, payroll, invoicing, receipts. $50-$120/hour or $400-$800/month retainer for typical small business.
  • Accountant. Annual tax return, tax strategy, complex transactions, ATO representation. $1,500-$3,500/year for sole trader, more for company.

Hybrid total: $5,000-$10,000/year vs $6,000-$12,000/year for accountant doing everything. Savings of ~20% plus better-quality monthly bookkeeping (which is most bookkeepers' specialty).

Hourly rates if billing is hourly

Role Hourly rate Typically used for
Bookkeeper$50-$120Daily transactions, BAS prep
Junior accountant$180-$280Tax return preparation, basic work
Senior accountant$300-$450Tax advice, complex matters, client review
Partner / director$450-$800Strategy, complex restructures, ATO representation
SMSF specialist$280-$500SMSF compliance, contributions, pensions

Are accountant fees tax deductible?

Yes for tax-related work. Section 25-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 specifically allows deductions for managing your tax affairs:

  • Tax return preparation
  • Tax advice and planning
  • ATO objections and reviews
  • BAS lodgement
  • Tax audit responses

NOT directly deductible (but may be claimable as a business expense): general financial advice, business strategy unrelated to tax, estate planning, investment management fees.

Practical: keep separate invoices or itemised invoices distinguishing tax-related work from non-tax advice. Your accountant should structure invoices to maximise your deductible portion.

How to compare quotes

  • Get fixed-fee quotes in writing for the same scope of work from 3 accountants.
  • Verify CPA, CA, or TPB registration via the relevant professional body register.
  • Check inclusions carefully. Some quotes exclude BAS, payroll, or ASIC fees that you assumed were included.
  • Ask about annual fee increases. Reputable accountants flag annual CPI adjustments upfront.
  • Look for cloud accounting fluency. Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks integration saves significant time and reduces your fees.
  • Specialisation matters. A property investor benefits from an accountant who handles many property investors; a contractor benefits from one focused on contractors.

Related coverage

Common questions

Accountant fees: frequently asked questions

How much does an accountant cost for a simple tax return in Australia?

Individual tax return without complications: $150-$300 in 2026. With investment property or share portfolio: $300-$600. With small business income or trust: $500-$1,200+. Most accountants quote fixed fees per return type rather than hourly billing for routine work.

What does a small business accountant cost annually?

For a sole trader: $1,500-$3,500/year covering tax return, BAS lodgement (if registered), and basic advice. Pty Ltd company: $3,000-$8,000/year covering tax return, BAS, ASIC fees, payroll if applicable, and director compliance. Trust structures: $4,000-$10,000+/year due to complexity.

Is it worth paying for an accountant if my tax is simple?

For a basic PAYG salary with no investments, often not. MyTax (free) handles simple returns adequately. An accountant becomes worth it when you have: investment property, share portfolio, rental income, business or side hustle income, salary sacrificing complexity, foreign income, or significant medical/charitable deductions. The professional fee usually pays for itself via deductions you would otherwise miss.

How are accountant fees calculated?

Most accountants use fixed fees for routine work (tax returns, BAS, basic bookkeeping). Hourly billing applies to advisory work, complex restructures, audits, or unusual matters. Hourly rates: junior accountant $180-$280/hour, senior accountant $300-$450/hour, partner $450-$800/hour. Fixed fees are predictable; hourly creates uncertainty.

When are accountant fees tax deductible?

Fees for managing your tax affairs are deductible in the year they are paid. This includes: tax return preparation, tax advice, ATO objections, BAS lodgement, and tax-related planning. Fees for general financial advice, estate planning, or business operations are not directly deductible (though may be claimed as business expenses through your operating entity).

Should I use a CPA or a CA?

For most small business and individual tax work, both qualifications produce equivalently competent accountants. CPA and CA are different professional bodies with similar education requirements. CA tends to dominate audit and large-firm work; CPA is more common in industry roles and SME practice. The individual practitioner matters more than the letters after their name.

Are bookkeepers cheaper than accountants?

Yes, materially. Bookkeepers handle transaction recording, BAS preparation, payroll, and basic compliance at $50-$120/hour (or $400-$800/month retainers for small businesses). Accountants do those tasks plus tax strategy, advice, audit, restructure at $250-$600/hour. For ongoing transaction processing, use a bookkeeper; for annual strategy and tax, use an accountant.

How can I reduce my accountant fees?

Keep clean records throughout the year (cloud accounting software like Xero or MYOB makes this easy). Provide complete documentation upfront. Bundle multiple matters into one engagement. Ask for fixed-fee quotes upfront. Consider hybrid models: bookkeeper handles daily transactions, accountant does annual tax + advice only.