What You Can Expect to Spend When Hiring a Public Accountant

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Public Accountant

How do Accountants Usually Charge?

The most common way for public accountants to charge their clients is by an hourly rate. Some CPA firms charge different rates based on the experience level of the person who is actually doing the work.

For example, a junior-level accountant might prepare information for filing taxes at a rate of $60 an hour. A senior level certified public accountant reviews and signs the filing at a rate of $120 an hour. Finally, a clerical level accountant packages the completed filing and mails it to the IRS at a rate of $20 an hour

In addition to their hourly charges, some CPA firms might include additional fees for making phone calls, sending faxes, copying information, and so on. It is important to ask your accountant about all included charges before hiring a CPA firm.

In some cases, a CPA firm or public accountant might charge a fixed rate for a certain bundle of services. For example, filing taxes for a simple personal return might cost a fixed sum of $25.

 

If you are looking for an accountant to answer questions frequently, some CPA firms and general accountants offer a retainer service, where you pay a fixed monthly or yearly fee. If you decide to take an accountant on retainer, be sure to clarify exactly which services are included in the rate.

 

How Can I Minimize my Accounting Costs? The key to minimizing your accounting costs is organization. Make sure that you have all of the documents you need for filing taxes ahead of time, and that everything is in a logical order so that your accountant can find what he needs, when he needs it. If you are using accounting software, make sure that you understand it throroughly, and use it properly

What Can Make an Accountant More Expensive? The fees you can expect to pay for a CPA firm or general accountant can vary depending on certain factors. These factors include: Education and Experience. The longer an accountant or CPA firm has been in business, the more you can expect to pay.

   Certification. If you are hiring a certified public accountant, you can expect to pay     more than a general public accountant.

   Type of Work. Some accountants will charge different rates depending on the     complexity of the work. For example, filing taxes might cost less than a full service     financial planning session.

   Large or Small Company. If you are working with a small CPA firm or a single     general accountant, you will probably pay less than if you are working with a large firm.     A small CPA firm might not have experience working with large businesses, however.

   Time of Year. Many accountants give discounts for people who are filing taxes in     the off-season. 

Try to avoid asking your accountant or CPA firm to do work that you could handle. Make your own copies and fax your own documents to reduce your accounting costs. Track down any missing documentation yourself. Filing taxes yourself, after having your CPA firm review them, can save you money.

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