CPA Cost: Average Fees Explained

A certified public accountant is a licensed accounting professional who has passed the Uniform CPA Examination and met education and experience requirements. That credential is part of the reason CPAs cost more than a bookkeeper or a general tax preparer. They bill in one of three ways: by the hour, by a flat fee for a defined job, or through a monthly package for ongoing work.

The figures below come from published cost guides and surveys, last checked on Oct 13, 2026. They are national ranges, and fees in large cities and for complex work can run higher.

Hourly billing is common when the scope is hard to predict, such as a consultation, a cleanup of old records, or advice on a business decision. Yelp lists CPAs at $200 – $400/hr, compared with $60 – $80/hr for a staff accountant and $100 – $200/hr for an investment accountant. Across all accountant types, the overall range is $100 – $250/hr.

Some CPAs set a minimum charge or bill in time blocks, so ask how the clock works before a first meeting. A short call that is billed in full-hour increments costs more than one billed by the minute.

Many CPAs quote flat fees for work with a clear scope.

Tax preparation averages $150 – $350 in Yelp's guide, and the cost varies with the preparer, your income, and how complicated your finances are. Balancing the books is listed at $200 – $400, and preparing financial statements, which lenders and investors often request, is listed at $250 – $500.

Businesses that want continuing support often choose a recurring plan.

Monthly accounting packages, which may include consultations, financial reports, and account reconciliation, are listed at $75 – $175/mo. The range reflects small-business and individual packages, and the scope varies from one firm to the next.

Business returns cost more than personal returns because they involve more forms, more records, and often more than one entity. SmartAsset cites a nationwide survey on what small businesses paid.

A sole proprietor with modest revenue paid $450 – $750 for tax prep, and a C corporation with revenue in the low millions paid $3,700 – $5,600. The pattern holds more broadly: the more complex the entity, the higher the fee. Individuals with simple returns generally pay less, as the next section shows.

Not every tax return needs a CPA. Preparers without the CPA credential often charge less for a straightforward return. A survey from Drake Software, cited by NerdWallet, asked preparers what they expected to charge.

Preparers reported an average of $251 for a nonitemized Form 1040 and $298 for an itemized one. That survey covers tax preparers generally, so it is not a CPA price list. For a decision about which professional to hire, ask a licensed tax professional about your situation.

The hourly ranges differ because the guides draw on different samples.

Yelp reports $200 – $400/hr, SmartAsset reports $150 – $400/hr, and NerdWallet reports $150 – $500/hr. The lower end of each range may reflect CPAs in smaller markets, and the upper end may reflect specialists and big-city firms. NerdWallet's range is the widest, which may mean it draws on a broader mix of practices.

• Credentials and specialty. A CPA with a niche, such as multi-state or business tax, may charge more than a generalist.
• Location. Firms in large metro areas usually charge more than firms in smaller cities.
• Complexity. Rental property, a business, investments, or self-employment income add forms and time.
• Time of year. Busy periods around filing deadlines can limit availability, and some firms may charge more for rush work.
• Scope. A one-time return, quarterly support, and full bookkeeping are priced differently.
• Records. Disorganized paperwork means more hours at an hourly rate.

Gather your documents before the first meeting, and send them in an organized form. If you are billed hourly, a clear list of questions saves time. For recurring work, ask whether a flat monthly fee costs less than hourly billing for the same tasks. If your finances are simple, compare a CPA's quote with that of a non-CPA preparer, and decide whether you need the credential for your situation.

Be careful with any preparer who bases a fee on the size of your refund. NerdWallet warns that this is a sign you may not be working with a trustworthy professional.

• Is the quote hourly or flat, and what does it include?
• Is a state return priced separately?
• How are meetings and phone calls billed?
• Who will do the work, the CPA or a staff member?
• What happens if I receive an IRS notice after filing?