Chartered accountant price list 2026: how to read it and compare prices?

Updated April 4, 2026 - Are you looking for a reliable chartered accountant price list to budget your accounting in 2026? You're not alone: every year, thousands of business leaders try to understand how accounting firm fees are structured. The reality is that there is no official mandatory scale. Each firm sets its prices freely based on the scope of the mission, the complexity of your activity and its market positioning.

This guide explains how to decode a chartered accountant fee schedule, what price ranges to observe according to your legal status, and above all how to compare offers without overlooking a hidden cost item.

Direct answer: a chartered accountant price list is a commercial document presented by a firm to detail its services and their prices. It has no regulatory value: fees are freely agreed between the client and the professional, in accordance with Article 18 of the profession's code of ethics. This schedule serves as a reference for comparing offers, but it must always be read in conjunction with the engagement letter.

For more information, see Chartered accountant rate, Chartered accountant rate simulator and Accounting support.

The French legal framework is clear: Article 18 of Decree No. 2007-1387, which contains the code of ethics for the chartered accountant profession, states that fees are determined based on several criteria:

• ▸the work performed by the professional;
• ▸the difficulty of the mission;
• ▸the overhead costs of the firm;
• ▸the reputation and experience of the practitioner;
• ▸any urgency of the request.

This freedom to set prices is a fundamental principle of the profession, confirmed by the Order of Chartered Accountants. It means that a price list published on a firm's website reflects its own commercial policy, not a uniform national rate.

Market observations in 2026 allow us to identify average fee ranges for the most common statuses. These amounts are in euros excluding tax (HT) and correspond to annual packages for bookkeeping, review and preparation of accounts.

Micro-enterprise and sole trader

The micro-enterprise is not required to keep full accounts, but monitoring turnover and tax declarations remains necessary.

• ▸annual monitoring and declarations: €300 to €800 HT/year;
• ▸creation assistance: €150 to €400 HT (one-off);
• ▸tax optimisation advice: €100 to €250 HT/h.

Sole traders rarely use a chartered accountant for day-to-day bookkeeping. On the other hand, occasional advice on tax regime choice or threshold exceedance is increasingly in demand.

Sole proprietorship (EI) and EURL

A sole proprietorship subject to income tax (IR) or corporate tax (IS) requires full accrual accounting.

• ▸bookkeeping + review + declarations: €900 to €2,500 HT/year;
• ▸preparation of annual accounts: €500 to €1,200 HT;
• ▸income tax return (2035, 2065): €300 to €700 HT.

The rate varies greatly depending on the volume of accounting entries and the presence or absence of employees.

SAS and SASU

The SAS is one of the most common legal forms among startups and SMEs. Its accounting obligations are substantial: full bookkeeping, preparation of annual accounts, tax return, social declarations.

• ▸complete annual package: €1,800 to €5,000 HT/year;
• ▸bookkeeping only: €800 to €2,000 HT/year;
• ▸preparation of annual accounts: €1,000 to €2,500 HT;
• ▸payroll management: €30 to €60 HT/slip per month.

A SASU without employees and with turnover below €200,000 will be in the lower range. A SAS with 10 employees and turnover of €1 million will easily exceed €4,000 annually.

SARL

The SARL has obligations similar to the SAS, with some tax specificities (capital gains regime, manager's remuneration).

• ▸complete annual package: €1,500 to €4,500 HT/year;
• ▸bookkeeping + review: €1,000 to €2,500 HT/year;
• ▸payroll management: €30 to €55 HT/slip per month.

SCI (Real Estate Civil Company)

SCIs have lighter accounting, but still require rigorous monitoring.

• ▸annual package: €600 to €1,800 HT/year;
• ▸property income declaration (2044): €200 to €500 HT;
• ▸tax return (2065): €400 to €900 HT.

These ranges are averages observed on the French market in 2026. Actual rates depend on numerous factors detailed below.

Understanding the variables that influence accounting firm fees is essential for negotiating and comparing offers with full knowledge.

Volume of accounting entries

This is the first pricing criterion. A firm charges based on the number of supplier invoices, expense reports, and banking transactions to process. The higher the volume, the more processing time is required.

Degree of client preparation

A manager who sends their accounting documents in bulk once a year will require more work than a client who uses a digital deposit tool and organises their documents throughout the year. Electronic invoicing, mandatory from 2026, should also reduce this cost item for equipped businesses.

Geographical location of the firm

Fees vary significantly by region. A Parisian firm charges on average 20 to 40% more than a provincial firm, due to higher overhead costs. This difference is narrowing with the development of online firms.

Level of advice and support

A basic bookkeeping package generally does not include management meetings, interim accounts or advanced tax advice. These additional services are billed separately or as higher packages.

Digital tools of the firm

Firms that offer an online client portal, a mobile app for scanning expense reports, or integration with your invoicing software often include the cost of these tools in their fees. This digital added value justifies a higher rate but generates real time savings for the manager.

A chartered accountant price list is not read like a restaurant menu. Here are the essential points of vigilance:

• ▸exact scope of the mission: what does the package cover? Bookkeeping only, or bookkeeping + review + preparation of accounts?
• ▸excluded services: are payroll, VAT declarations, interim accounts included or billed separately?
• ▸number of meetings or exchanges: how many appointments are included in the package?
• ▸billing terms: monthly billing, quarterly billing, cash settlement?
• ▸fee revision conditions: is the rate indexed? Can it change during the mission?
• ▸included tools: is access to a client portal, invoicing software or mobile app included?

Hayot Expertise Advice: a price list only has value if it is read with the engagement letter. The real issue is not the headline figure, but the actual scope of the work covered. A low rate may hide excluded services that will cause the final bill to explode.

The development of online chartered accounting firms has introduced significant competition on rates. In 2026, we observe a 30 to 50% gap between online offers and traditional firms for comparable services.

Advantages of the online firm

• ▸rates generally 30 to 50% lower;
• ▸intuitive digital interface;
• ▸standardised and fast processes;
• ▸ideal for simple structures (micro, SASU, sole proprietorship).

Limitations of all-online

• ▸limited personalised advice;
• ▸difficulty managing complex situations (merger, acquisition, advanced tax optimisation);
• ▸variable responsiveness depending on the firm's workload;
• ▸less suited to medium-sized enterprises.

The traditional firm: still relevant

• ▸local advice and knowledge of the local economic fabric;
• ▸ability to handle complex files;
• ▸human relationship and direct responsiveness;
• ▸essential for high-growth or restructuring companies.

Our recommendation: for a simple structure with few entries, an online firm can be a relevant economic solution. As complexity increases (employees, investments, complex tax issues), a traditional or hybrid firm offers a better quality-price ratio in the long term.

Several pitfalls recur frequently when comparing accounting firm offers:

• ▸comparing price without comparing scope: a €1,000 package that excludes VAT and payroll is not comparable to a €1,500 all-inclusive package;
• ▸confusing basic package and complete mission: some schedules display an attractive headline price for bookkeeping only, omitting to mention the cost of review and preparation of accounts;
• ▸forgetting exceptional services: a tax audit, statutory amendment or asset sale will be billed separately, often at the firm's hourly rate (€80 to €150 HT/h);
• ▸neglecting the quality of the relationship: a low rate does not compensate for an unreachable contact or unacceptable response times;
• ▸not anticipating the evolution of needs: today's rate will not be tomorrow's if your company grows. Provide a clear revision clause in the engagement letter.

<details> <summary>Is there an official price list for chartered accountants in 2026?</summary> <p>No. There is no official price list or national scale for chartered accountant fees. In accordance with Article 18 of the code of ethics (Decree No. 2007-1387), fees are freely agreed between the client and the professional. Each firm establishes its own commercial schedule based on its costs, positioning and scope of services offered.</p> </details> <details> <summary>What is the average price of a chartered accountant for a SAS in 2026?</summary> <p>For a SAS, the complete annual package (bookkeeping + review + preparation of accounts) is generally between €1,800 and €5,000 HT. A SASU without employees with modest turnover will be in the lower range (€1,800 to €2,500). A SAS with 10 to 20 employees and turnover exceeding €1 million will exceed €4,000 annually. Payroll management is added, at €30 to €60 HT per slip per month.</p> </details> <details> <summary>Can you negotiate a chartered accountant's fees?</summary> <p>Yes, fees are negotiable. Freedom to set prices implies freedom to negotiate. To get better conditions, compare several price lists, specify your volume of entries, ask for monthly billing and check what is included in the package. A reputable firm will agree to detail its schedule and adapt its offer to your situation.</p> </details> <details> <summary>How much does an online chartered accountant cost compared to a traditional firm?</summary> <p>Online chartered accounting firms generally offer rates 30 to 50% lower than traditional firms. For a SASU, expect €800 to €1,500 HT/year online compared to €1,800 to €3,000 HT/year in a physical firm. This difference is explained by reduced overhead costs and standardised processes. In return, personalised advice is often more limited.</p> </details> <details> <summary>What must an accounting engagement letter contain?</summary> <p>The engagement letter has been mandatory since 2008 (professional standard of the Order of Chartered Accountants). It must specify: the scope and limits of the mission, the reciprocal obligations of the firm and the client, the terms of remuneration and billing, the conditions for fee revision, and the terms of contract termination. It is this document, not the price list, that is legally binding in the event of a dispute.</p> </details>

We can help you read firm offers with a logic of scope, quality of service and level of management. Our firm supports you in choosing a formula adapted to your situation and ambitions.

Quick link: Compare suitable accounting support

In 2026, there is no single or official chartered accountant price list. Fees vary from one to three depending on your legal status, the volume of your activity, the location of your firm and the level of advice required. The right method for comparing offers is based on three principles: verify the exact scope of each package, identify excluded services that will generate additional costs, and assess the quality of the client relationship beyond the price alone.

A low rate is never a saving if the service doesn't follow. Conversely, a higher rate can prove profitable if it saves you time, avoids tax errors and provides genuine financial management.

Contact: Do you want to know if a price list is really competitive within a comparable scope? Our firm can help you compare offers without blind spots and choose the formula best suited to your business. Make an appointment with Hayot Expertise

(Official sources: Article 18 of the code of ethics - Decree No. 2007-1387, Order of Chartered Accountants, INSEE - 2025 Data)