An accountant's fee depends on the work involved: the type of business, how many transactions it has, whether it is registered for VAT or runs payroll, and the state of its records. A sole trader with tidy books needs far less time than a company with staff and VAT. This page explains each factor, so you know what you are paying for.
Information checked 3 October 2026 against Revenue guidance.
How our fees work
Every quote starts from the same questions. The answers decide how much work your accounts, returns and filings take each year.
| Type of business | Sole trader, partnership or limited company. A company adds CRO filings and Companies Act accounts on top of its tax returns. |
|---|---|
| Turnover and transactions | More invoices, bank lines and sales channels mean more to record, check and reconcile. |
| VAT | Whether you are registered, how often you file, and whether you deal with the reverse charge or trade with the EU. |
| Payroll | How many people you pay, and whether pay runs weekly, fortnightly or monthly. |
| Your records | Up-to-date accounting software takes far less time than a bag of receipts at year end. |
| Extra services | Statutory audit, company secretarial work, tax planning, or support with a Revenue audit. |
| Your fee | Agreed with you before any work starts |
Mainly volume and complexity: more transactions, staff on payroll, VAT returns, a company structure with CRO filings, or records that need tidying before the accounts can start. A statutory audit is a separate, larger piece of work.
You can file on ROS yourself. The trade-off is time and risk: a late Form 11 adds a surcharge of 5% or 10% of the tax, late income tax costs 0.0219% a day in interest, and missed expenses mean paying more tax than you need to. For many owners that costs more than the fee.
Source: Revenue Tax and Duty Manual Part 47-06-08: Surcharge for late returns, checked 3 October 2026.
Compare what each quote includes: accounts, tax returns, CRO filings, VAT, payroll and advice during the year. Ask whether the price is fixed, what happens if the work changes, and who you will deal with day to day.
If the work changes, the fee is reviewed: more employees on payroll, VAT registration, or a company that needs an audit all add work. You will know before it happens, not on the invoice.
Next step
Book a call at a time that suits you, or ring the office.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm · info@mawhately.ie
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