Accountant fees vary widely based on several factors:
- Location: Accountants in major metropolitan areas tend to charge higher rates, averaging $150 to $400 per hour. In smaller towns, rates may range from $100 to 250 per hour.
- Experience level: Newly certified or junior accountants typically charge $50 to $150 per hour. Senior accountants with 5 to 10 years of experience charge $200 to $500 per hour on average.
- Firm size: Solo practitioners and small local firms often have lower rates compared to larger regional or national firms.
- Specializations: Accountants with niche expertise like forensic accounting or international taxes command higher rates.
- Services: Commonly outsourced services like payroll, bookkeeping, and tax prep tend to cost less per hour than consultative services like auditing and financial planning.
Expect to pay $150 to $1,800+ for tax prep, $2,000 to $25,000+ for auditing, and $200 to $1,000 per month for bookkeeping, depending on your business size and needs. Request free consultations and compare detailed estimates before hiring.
