Cost guide · Updated July 2026

Accountant cost for a small business in NZ

Accounting fees depend on the size and complexity of the business. Published 2026 guides put a sole-trader tax return at roughly $800 to $1,500 a year, small-business packages between $2,000 and $6,000 a year, hourly work around $120 to $195, and monthly payroll and GST compliance from $100 to $500.

Written by The Contractor Hub.

Indicative ranges

Sole trader tax return, per year	$800 to $1,500
Small business package, per year	$2,000 to $6,000
Hourly rate	$120 to $195 / hr
Monthly payroll / GST compliance	$100 to $500 / mo

Indicative only, compiled July 2026 from the published New Zealand guides listed below. Treat these as a sanity check, then get written quotes.

What moves the price

Complexity moves the fee most: number of entities, GST, payroll, and how tidy the records arrive. Clean books cost less to work with.
A fixed monthly package spreads the cost and keeps accounts current; ad-hoc hourly work suits one-off jobs.
City-centre firms typically price above suburban ones for comparable work.

Common questions

Fixed fee or hourly?

A fixed annual or monthly fee gives certainty and usually includes agreed work; hourly suits one-offs. Agree the scope up front either way. On TCH the engagement scope sits on the record.

Should my accountant be a Chartered Accountant?

For most businesses, CA ANZ or CPA membership signals qualification and professional standards. It's shown on the accountant's TCH profile, with a Verified badge and the date where we've checked it.

Sources

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