What does an accountant cost in 2026, and are you better off with a fixed monthly fee or an hourly rate? These are questions virtually every business owner asks sooner or later. The answer depends on your business structure, the size of your administration, and how much you want to handle yourself. In this article we set out the two models clearly side by side, so you can make a well-informed choice.
What are the going rates in 2026
The market for accountancy services varies considerably. For sole traders and self-employed individuals, the fixed monthly fee typically ranges between €50 and €150 per month. If you have a limited company, an accountant will generally charge €150 to €350 per month for standard bookkeeping, partly because a limited company must prepare and file official annual accounts with the Chamber of Commerce each year, submit a corporation tax return, and correctly process the director-shareholder salary.
If you work on an hourly rate basis, in 2026 you can expect to pay an average of between €60 and €110 per hour excluding VAT. The exact figure depends on the accountant’s experience, the complexity of your work, and the size of the firm. Bear in mind that all these amounts are exclusive of 21% VAT, which you can, however, reclaim as input tax if you are VAT-registered.
Fixed monthly fee – the advantage of predictability
A fixed monthly fee gives you peace of mind. You know at the start of every month exactly what you will pay, and there are no nasty surprises on the invoice when your accountant goes through a busy period. This is particularly reassuring around the time of the income tax or corporation tax return, when the workload inevitably increases.
That said, the devil is in the detail: not every package includes the same services. Always ask explicitly whether VAT returns, annual accounts, and the income tax return are included as standard, or whether these are invoiced separately. A low entry price sounds attractive, but if every contact or additional query is charged as extra work, the final bill can still disappoint.
Hourly rate – when can this be more advantageous
Paying by the hour is flexible and can work out cheaper if you already keep on top of most of the bookkeeping yourself and only need occasional help – for example for the annual tax return or a specific tax query. For business owners who largely handle their own Administration Eindhoven using accounting software and only use the accountant as a final reviewer, an hourly rate can certainly be competitive.
The downside is the uncertainty. Particularly during busy periods, or if your records are not kept in the best order, the hours can mount up quickly. An accountant who needs more time because invoices have not been correctly categorised or remedial work is required will simply charge those hours on. That risk rests with you as the client.
Factors that influence the price most
Whether you opt for a fixed price or an hourly rate, the following points largely determine what you ultimately pay:
- Business structure – a sole trader or self-employed individual has fewer administrative obligations than a limited company with shareholders and annual accounts.
- Number of transactions – a high volume of invoices and bank entries each month means more processing time.
- Staff – payroll administration adds a separate cost; allow approximately €15 per payslip.
- Quality of your submissions – if you submit records neatly and on time, your accountant has less detective work to do and your costs will be lower.
- Automation – bank feeds, scan-and-recognise technology, and automatic invoice processing significantly reduce the manual hours required.
- Accountant’s experience – a specialist with tax expertise or a tax adviser will charge a higher rate than a junior bookkeeper.
- Type of firm – an online accountant has lower overheads and can therefore offer sharper pricing than a traditional firm with a physical office.
The cost of an accountant for a limited company in perspective
As a director-shareholder with a limited company, you face obligations that make the administration noticeably more complex: the corporation tax return, filing the annual accounts with Companies House, and correctly processing the deemed salary. In 2026 the statutory minimum deemed director-shareholder salary is €58,000. An accountant who keeps a close eye on this and proactively informs you about tax planning opportunities will quickly pay for themselves.
Plan een vrijblijvend gesprek en ontdek wat we voor je kunnen betekenen.
Plan een gesprekIf you also want to set up a holding company or convert your sole tradership into a limited company, the tax complexity increases further. In that case it is wise to engage not only an accountant but also a tax adviser who can think through and manage the structure on your behalf.
How to compare quotes intelligently
Received several quotes? Keep the following in mind before you make a decision:
- Ask for a detailed breakdown of what is included in the package: which returns are covered and which are not?
- Check whether the annual accounts and the income tax or corporation tax return are included as standard or invoiced separately.
- Enquire about additional charges for urgent queries, remedial work, or consultations outside office hours.
- Ask how communication works: can you call or email with questions in between without the clock starting immediately?
- Compare not only on price, but also on availability, specialisation, and knowledge of your sector.
Why Belastingadviseur Eindhoven
At Belastingadviseur Eindhoven you get more than just an accountant who processes invoices. We combine administration with tailored tax advice, so you are never caught off guard. Whether you are a self-employed professional weighing up a fixed monthly fee, a director-shareholder with a limited company who wants to keep a firm grip on costs, or a start-up looking to set up a solid administration from day one: we are happy to think things through with you.
We work from Eindhoven for business owners across the entire Brabant region and are part of Adviesgroep Eindhoven, the one-stop shop for entrepreneurs. Get in touch with us for a no-obligation conversation via our contact page and discover which rate and which model best suits your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a realistic monthly amount for an accountant as a sole trader in 2026?
For a sole trader or self-employed individual with a straightforward administration, in 2026 you will typically pay between €50 and €150 per month on a fixed monthly fee. If you have few transactions and submit your records neatly, you will often be at the lower end of this range. Multiple income streams or international invoices will push the price up. Always check exactly which services are included in the package.
Is a fixed monthly fee always cheaper than an hourly rate?
Not necessarily, but for most business owners who make ongoing use of bookkeeping support, a fixed monthly fee is more transparent and financially predictable. An hourly rate can be more cost-effective if you handle most of the bookkeeping yourself and only need occasional assistance, such as for the annual tax return. However, if your records are in disarray or your queries are complex, the hours can quickly add up.
What does an accountant for a limited company cost on average per month?
For standard limited company bookkeeping, costs in 2026 typically fall between €150 and €350 per month. This is higher than for a sole tradership because a limited company has more obligations: preparing and filing annual accounts with Companies House, submitting a corporation tax return, and correctly processing the director-shareholder salary. For more complex structures involving a holding company or employees, costs can rise further.
Are accountancy costs tax-deductible?
Yes, accountancy costs are business expenses and fully deductible from your profit. As a result, the net cost to you is lower than the invoiced amount. In addition, if you are VAT-registered, you can reclaim the 21% VAT shown on the invoice as input tax.
What factors lead to additional costs outside the fixed package?
Common causes of extra charges include: remedial work on overdue or disorganised records, additional consultations, urgent requests, corrections to previously submitted returns, and work carried out outside office hours. When signing a contract, always ask explicitly what falls outside the package, so you are never faced with unexpected bills.
We are happy to think along with you. For advice tailored to your situation we would gladly sit down with you. No rights can be derived from the content of this page and it may contain inaccuracies.
