How much does accountant cost in Ireland?
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Key takeaways
- Most accountant jobs in Ireland land between €150–€3,500 — known locally as accountant / chartered accountant.
- 'Accountant' is not a protected term in Ireland — verify Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA or CPA Ireland membership. Registered agents hold a Revenue TAIN and file through ROS. Accountants are also subject to anti-money-laundering supervision.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Accountant prices by job size in Ireland
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole-trader Form 11 Annual income tax return for a sole trader | €300 | €500 | €900 |
| Ltd company accounts + CT1 Statutory accounts, Corporation Tax and CRO return | €1,000 | €1,800 | €3,500 |
| Monthly bookkeeping + payroll (per month) Books, VAT and payroll retainer | €150 | €350 | €700 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | €60 | €120 | €200 |
| monthly bookkeeping | €150 | €350 | €700 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Ireland typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a accountant pro in Ireland
- Look for Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA), ACCA or CPA Ireland membership
- Confirm they are Revenue-registered agents (hold a TAIN)
- Agree scope: Form 11/CT1, VAT, PAYE payroll
- Get a written engagement letter and fixed fee
- Confirm ROS (Revenue Online Service) agent access
- Ask about company-secretarial and CRO filing
Red flags
- No professional-body membership
- No engagement letter
- Fee tied to refund
- Encourages cash-in-hand underreporting
- Won't confirm Revenue agent registration
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to EUR, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Extrapolated from UK chartered-firm fee data adjusted to Irish market.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost for a small business?
Most accountants now price by fixed monthly package rather than the hour. A sole trader's annual return is a modest one-off fee; a small limited company's year-end accounts plus tax filing is a mid three- to four-figure annual cost; ongoing bookkeeping and payroll add a monthly retainer on top.
What should an accountant's engagement letter cover?
Scope (exactly which filings and services are included), fees and how they're billed, deadlines and your responsibilities for providing records, and what falls outside the fee. A one-line quote with no engagement letter is a red flag.
Can an accountant help me pay less tax legally?
Yes — legitimate planning around business structure, allowable expenses, pension contributions, timing of income, and available reliefs is core work. Be wary of anyone promoting aggressive 'schemes'; if it sounds too good, it usually attracts penalties later.
When should I hire an accountant?
Common triggers: incorporating a company, hitting the VAT/GST registration threshold, taking on employees, or spending too many hours on the books yourself. Engaging one before year-end (not the week the return is due) gets you planning value, not just compliance.
What qualifications should my accountant have?
Look for membership of a recognised professional body (see the country notes below), which brings training standards, regulation, and anti-money-laundering supervision. Anyone can call themselves an 'accountant' in most countries — a chartered/certified designation is the real filter.
What does an accountant cost in Ireland?
A sole trader's Form 11 runs €300-900; a limited company's annual accounts and CT1 typically €1,000-3,500, plus CRO annual return. Dublin firms sit at the upper end of these ranges.
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