CPA Fees · Verified Directory
What you'll actually pay for a CPA
Typical CPA fee structures for tax, audit, advisory, and ongoing accounting engagements. Hourly rates, fixed fees, and value-based pricing explained.
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CPA fee structures
How CPAs typically price their work
Fee structure usually depends on the type of work — recurring engagements are often flat-fee, project work is usually hourly.
Hourly
$150–$650
per hour
Project work, audit, litigation, ad-hoc advisory.
- Staff $150–$250
- Senior / Manager $250–$400
- Partner $350–$650+
- Detailed time-and-billing reporting
Fixed fee
$500–$5,000
per engagement
Annual tax prep, scoped advisory projects, business formation.
- Predictable price up front
- Defined deliverables and scope
- Common for tax returns and reviews
- Scope-change orders are explicit
Monthly retainer
$500–$5,000+
per month
Ongoing advisory, fractional CFO, year-round tax planning.
- Defined scope of recurring work
- Quarterly tax planning
- Year-end return included
- Unlimited email / scheduled calls
By business size
What you'll likely pay
Ranges reflect typical U.S. market pricing. Your CPA or provider will scope a specific number.
| Business size | Monthly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual tax planning + return | $500–$2,500/yr | Annual return + 1–2 planning meetings |
| Small business advisory | $500–$1,500/mo | Monthly check-in + year-end return |
| Mid-market client | $2,500–$8,000/mo | Controller-level oversight + planning |
| Audit / review engagement | $8,000–$50,000+ | One-time, scoped by revenue and complexity |
What drives the price
By city
Find CPA Fees by city
Houston, TX
Houston CPAs serve energy, healthcare, and the city's vast small-business community.
Dallas, TX
Dallas accounting firms anchor finance, real estate, and corporate headquarters across DFW.
Los Angeles, CA
LA's accountants specialize in entertainment, real estate, and creative-industry tax planning.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco CPAs serve startups, venture-backed companies, and complex equity-comp clients.
New York City, NY
NYC's accountants cover Wall Street, media, real estate, hospitality, and the small businesses of all five boroughs.
Miami, FL
Miami's CPAs specialize in international tax, real estate, hospitality, and Latin American business.
Chicago, IL
Chicago accountants serve professional services, manufacturing, logistics, and the Midwest's largest corporate base.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's CPAs support film, fintech, logistics, and one of the country's most dynamic small-business scenes.
Boston, PA
Boston-area accountants serve life sciences, higher education, financial services, and innovation-economy startups.
Seattle, WA
Seattle CPAs serve tech, aerospace, and the Pacific Northwest's deep entrepreneurial bench.
Common questions
About cpa fees
How much do CPAs charge per hour?+
Staff/associates: $150–$250. Senior/manager: $250–$400. Partners: $350–$650+. Metro markets (NYC, SF, LA) sit at the high end of each band.
Do CPAs charge flat fees or hourly?+
Tax prep and recurring bookkeeping are usually flat-fee. Audit, litigation, and advisory work are typically hourly. Some firms offer monthly retainer models for ongoing advisory.
Why are CPA fees so much higher than a regular accountant?+
CPAs hold a state-issued license, have passed the Uniform CPA Exam, and carry malpractice insurance and continuing education requirements. You're paying for licensure, liability coverage, and deep technical expertise.
This information is general and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.