How Much Does an Accountant Cost for Small Businesses in Australia 2026?
If you run a small business in Australia, you’ve probably had that moment where you’re staring at your bookkeeping, the BAS deadline is creeping up, and you think:
“Alright… how much is an accountant going to cost me?”
It’s a fair question. But after years of seeing what happens behind the scenes in small businesses, we’ll say this upfront:
The more important question isn’t “how much does it cost?”
It’s “what will it save me, and what do I actually get for it?”
Because in 2026, accounting isn’t just a tax return once a year. The businesses doing well want real-time clarity, proactive advice, and year-round support, and pricing has shifted to match that.
So… what does it cost in 2026?
The short answer, across Australia, most small to medium businesses fall somewhere between:
$2,000 to $18,000+ per year
That range sounds huge (because it is), but it becomes clearer when you compare like-for-like.
A sole trader with around $150,000 in revenue might pay $1,500 to $2,500 annually for tax and BAS support.
A company doing roughly $3 million in revenue will often sit around $8,000 to $12,000 for proper tax and compliance, and that’s before you add any meaningful advisory.
And here’s the truth: two businesses with similar revenue can pay completely different fees, depending on what’s going on inside the business.
The “cheap accountant” trap (and why it gets expensive fast)
This is the part people don’t like hearing until they’ve lived it. If someone is charging dramatically below market (for example, $2,000 for work that normally costs $6,000), there’s usually a reason:
less time spent on your file
less review
junior staff doing most of the work
little or no strategic thinking
The hidden cost shows up as:
missed deductions
GST mistakes
incorrect treatment of expenses
no tax planning
no structure optimisation
no proactive advice
And the worst part?
You don’t notice it until you change accountants and someone finally reviews what’s been happening. A “cheap” accountant can easily cost you far more than the fee you saved.
Why the price swings so much?
When people ask us why fees vary, it usually comes down to a few consistent things.
1) Revenue and size (but not for the reason people think)
Bigger revenue usually means more transactions, more moving parts, more staff, more payroll, more compliance and more reporting.
As a very rough guide:
Under $200k revenue: $1,500 to $3,500
$200k to $500k: $3,000 to $6,000
$500k to $1M: $5,000 to $10,000
$1M to $3M: $8,000 to $15,000
$3M to $10M: $15,000 to $35,000
But the real “cost driver” isn’t just revenue.
It’s complexity.
A consultant with $600k revenue and clean Xero records can be straightforward.
A retail business with $600k revenue, mixed payments, lots of cash/card transactions and messy bookkeeping can take far more work, even if the revenue is the same.
2) Your business structure
Structure changes everything. A sole trader is typically simplest. A company or trust can add layers of compliance and reporting.
Typical annual ranges look like this:
Sole trader: $1,500 to $3,500
Partnership: $2,500 to $5,000
Company: $4,000 to $12,000
Trust: $3,500 to $8,000
Multiple entities: $8,000 to $25,000+
Companies generally cost more because you’re not just doing “a tax return” — you need financial statements, ASIC obligations, a company return, and often director tax returns too.
3) Your record keeping (this one matters more than most people realise)
This is where businesses accidentally create their own accounting bill.
Clean books and good systems mean your accountant spends less time untangling transactions and more time doing the valuable part — strategy.
Messy records (missing receipts, unclear categories, no reconciliations, random transfers, personal spending through business accounts) mean your accountant is forced into clean-up mode. That always costs more.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost in Sydney in 2026?
Sydney pricing follows national trends but reflects higher operating costs and demand for advisory services.
| Service | Typical Sydney Price |
|---|---|
| Individual tax return | $150 – $500 |
| Sole trader return | $500 – $1,000 |
| Company return | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| BAS lodgement | $150 – $400 |
| Bookkeeping | $40 – $95/hr |
| Business advisory | $1,200 – $6,000/yr |
Many Sydney firms now use fixed-fee packages instead of hourly billing to provide cost certainty and encourage ongoing support.
What you should expect for the price you pay
At minimum, a competent accountant should deliver:
accurate, on-time lodgements: Your accountant should ensure all tax returns, BAS, IAS, and other statutory lodgements are prepared correctly and submitted on time, every time. Late or incorrect lodgements can trigger ATO penalties, interest charges, and unnecessary compliance risk. A reliable accountant removes this stress by managing deadlines proactively and ensuring your obligations are met without last-minute panic.
proper financial statements where required
compliance support if the ATO comes knocking
But if you want the real value, the modern expectation is:
proactive tax planning (not surprises at year-end)
regular check-ins (quarterly is common)
cash flow and profitability insights
advice on structure and growth decisions
That’s the difference between a tax processor and a business partner.
In 2026, the real cost of an accountant isn’t what you pay in fees — it’s what you miss out on if you choose the wrong one. The right accountant should save you tax, improve your cash flow, and help you make better business decisions all year round, not just lodge forms at tax time. At Margins & Margins, we work with growing Australian businesses who want more than basic compliance — they want clarity, strategy, and a proactive financial partner. If you’d like to understand what the right accounting structure and support looks like for your business, a short discovery call can make a huge difference. Book a no-obligation strategy call with Margins & Margins today and take control of your numbers with confidence.
This article is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Accounting fees vary based on circumstances and service scope.
