How much does accountant cost in Singapore?
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Key takeaways
- Most accountant jobs in Singapore land between SGD 200–SGD 4,000 — known locally as accountant / accounting firm.
- Accounting firms should be ACRA-registered; statutory audit is required only for companies exceeding small-company thresholds, so many SMEs need only compilation plus tax. Corporate filings run through IRAS (tax) and ACRA (accounts, in XBRL). ISCA membership signals professional standards.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Accountant prices by job size in Singapore
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole-proprietor / individual tax Personal or sole-prop income tax filing | SGD 300 | SGD 600 | SGD 1,200 |
| Pte Ltd unaudited accounts + tax Compilation, ECI and Form C-S filing | SGD 800 | SGD 1,800 | SGD 4,000 |
| Monthly bookkeeping + GST (per month) Books, GST and payroll retainer | SGD 200 | SGD 400 | SGD 1,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | SGD 60 | SGD 120 | SGD 250 |
| monthly bookkeeping | SGD 200 | SGD 400 | SGD 1,000 |
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 Singapore 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 Singapore
- Check the firm is ACRA-registered and, for tax, an Accredited Tax Practitioner (SCTP)
- Confirm scope: annual financial statements, ECI and Form C-S/C, GST
- Ask whether XBRL filing to ACRA is included
- Get a written engagement letter and fixed fee
- Confirm IRAS Corppass agent access
- Ask about company-secretarial and annual-return filing
Red flags
- No ACRA registration
- Vague on XBRL and ACRA annual-return duties
- No engagement letter
- Encourages under-declaring revenue
- Won't confirm GST filing responsibility
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 SGD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Singapore accounting-firm published package rates 2025; ACRA/IRAS filing requirements.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do I need an accountant or can I just use software?
Software (Xero, QuickBooks) handles day-to-day bookkeeping well, but an accountant adds value at year-end for tax filing, compliance and planning. Many businesses run software themselves and pay an accountant only for the annual accounts and tax return.
Does my Singapore company need an audit?
Only if it exceeds the 'small company' thresholds (two of: revenue >S$10m, assets >S$10m, >50 employees). Most SMEs qualify for audit exemption and need only unaudited compilation plus tax filing, which is far cheaper.
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