When choosing an accountant, one of the first questions business owners ask is: “How much do accounting services cost?” While pricing varies based on complexity, business size, and expertise, this guide provides authoritative, industry-standard accounting rates to help you understand what you should expect to pay for different accounting and bookkeeping services.
Accounting fees are structured in two primary ways:
Hourly Rates (best for consulting, advisory, and tax strategy)
Task-Based Pricing (best for recurring compliance and bookkeeping)
This guide covers both pricing models to help businesses choose the right accounting service and accountants charge appropriately for their expertise.
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Accounting & Bookkeeping Hourly Rates in South Africa (2025)
Hourly billing is common for consulting, tax advisory, audits, and forensic accounting, where work is customized and requires expertise. Below are the standard hourly rates:
| Service | Hourly Rate (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Junior Bookkeeper | R400 – R600 |
| Senior Bookkeeper | R600 – R900 |
| Accountant | R900 – R1,500 |
| Senior Accountant / CFO | R1,500 – R3,000 |
| Tax Practitioner | R900 – R2,000 |
| Forensic Accountant | R2,500 – R5,000 |
| Auditor | R1,800 – R3,500 |
Why Hourly Rates Matter: Accountants must factor in expertise, complexity, and risk. A simple bookkeeping task may take a few hours per month, while forensic or tax audit services require deep investigation and legal risk.
Fixed-Fee Accounting Services (By Task)
Many businesses prefer fixed-fee accounting services for predictability and budgeting. Below is a pricing guide based on industry-standard rates for 2025.
1. Bookkeeping & Financial Management
Bookkeeping is essential for accurate financial records, tax compliance, and cash flow tracking.
| Service | Fee Range (ZAR) |
| Monthly Bookkeeping (Small Business) | R3,000 – R7,500 |
| Monthly Bookkeeping (Medium Business) | R7,500 – R15,000 |
| Monthly Bookkeeping (Large Business) | R15,000 – R35,000 |
| Catch-up Bookkeeping (Per Financial Year) | R10,000 – R50,000 |
| Bank Reconciliation (Per Month) | R1,500 – R5,000 |
Who Needs This? Businesses that want to outsource bookkeeping instead of hiring an in-house accountant. Pricing depends on transaction volume and complexity.
2. Annual Financial Statements & Compliance
Financial statements are required for tax filing, bank loans, and investors. These must be prepared in accordance with IFRS or GAAP standards.
| Service | Fee Range (ZAR) |
| Annual Financial Statements (Turnover < R1m) | R3,500 – R6,500 |
| Annual Financial Statements (R1m – R5m Turnover) | R7,000 – R12,500 |
| Annual Financial Statements (R5m – R10m Turnover) | R12,500 – R25,000 |
| Annual Financial Statements (R10m+ Turnover) | R25,000+ (Custom) |
| Management Accounts (Quarterly) | R5,000 – R15,000 |
| Drafting Company Resolutions | R1,500 – R5,000 |
Who Needs This? Businesses that need accurate, auditable financial records for SARS compliance, banks, or investors.
3. Tax Services & SARS Compliance
SARS penalties are steep if tax returns are late or incorrect. Below are pricing benchmarks for corporate tax, VAT, and payroll tax services.
| Service | Fee Range (ZAR) |
| Company Tax Return (IT14) | R2,500 – R6,500+ |
| Provisional Tax Return (IRP6) | R1,500 – R3,000 |
| VAT Return Submission (VAT201) | R1,500 – R5,000 (per submission) |
| SARS Dispute Resolution | R5,000 – R25,000+ |
| Tax Clearance Certificate | R1,200 – R2,500 |
Why Tax Pricing Increased (2025): SARS now requires beneficial ownership disclosures, additional double-checks, and stricter compliance reviews. A company tax return that previously took 30 minutes now takes 2+ hours.
4. Payroll & HR Services
Payroll compliance is critical to avoid penalties and employee disputes.
| Service | Fee Range (ZAR) |
| Payroll Processing (Per Employee) | R250 – R750 per month |
| Bi-Annual PAYE Reconciliation (EMP501) | R3,000 – R7,500 |
| IRP5 Submission (Non-Payroll Clients) | R700 – R1,500 per employee |
| UIF & COID Registration | R1,800 – R3,500 |
Who Needs This? Businesses that outsource payroll to avoid compliance risks and want accurate, automated salary processing.
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5. Company Secretarial & Business Compliance
Corporate compliance prevents legal and financial risks and is mandatory for CIPC-registered businesses.
| Service | Fee Range (ZAR) |
| Company Registration | R1,500 – R3,500 |
| CIPC Annual Return | R700 – R3,000 |
| Beneficial Ownership Register | R1,500 – R5,000 |
| Share Certificates | R1,500 – R3,500 |
| Drafting Board Minutes | R1,500 – R5,000 |
| Director Changes | R900 – R2,500 |
Why This Matters: Missing CIPC filings can result in company deregistration. A compliance expert prevents costly mistakes.
How to Choose the Right Accounting Fees for Your Business
Do You Need Monthly or Annual Services? If you want ongoing financial support, choose a fixed monthly fee. If you only need tax filing, opt for task-based pricing.
What Is Your Business Size? Larger businesses need more complex compliance, reporting, and payroll management, which costs more.
How Complex Are Your Taxes? Companies with multiple shareholders, international transactions, or SARS audits require higher fees.
Consider the Expertise Required. A senior tax specialist should charge R900 – R2,000 per hour based on expertise and risk exposure.
Final Thoughts: How Much Should You Pay for Accounting?
Accounting is not an expense—it’s an investment. Accurate financial management helps businesses reduce tax, avoid SARS penalties, and make smarter financial decisions.
For basic bookkeeping: Expect to pay R3,000 – R7,500 per month.
For full accounting & compliance: Monthly packages start at R4,500 – R35,000.
For expert tax strategy: Hourly rates range from R900 – R2,500+.
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