Chartered accountant rates: complete 2026 pricing guide

Updated April 4, 2026 - The chartered accountant rate is one of the first questions that business creators and SME leaders ask themselves in France. In 2026, the fees of a chartered accountant vary considerably according to the legal form, the volume of activity, the desired level of support and the type of firm chosen. Understanding how an accountant price is constructed is essential to make an informed choice and avoid unpleasant surprises.

On average, the cost of a chartered accountant in France ranges between €1,500 and €5,000 per year for a small structure. But this range hides very different realities depending on your situation. A micro-enterprise with modest turnover will not pay the same accounting rate as a rapidly growing SAS with employees and complex tax obligations.

Quick answer: for a micro-enterprise, expect between €250 and €600 per year (€20 to €50/month). For a SAS or SARL without employees, the chartered accountant rate is around €1,800 to €3,600 per year (€150 to €300/month). With employees and turnover exceeding €200,000, fees can reach €4,000 to €8,000 annually, or even more.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no official scale of chartered accountant fees. Article 18 of the profession's code of ethics, derived from Decree No. 2007-1387, stipulates that fees are freely agreed between the client and the professional. This pricing freedom means that each firm builds its own scale based on several criteria.

Chartered accountants generally use three billing methods:

• monthly or annual flat rate: the most common, it covers a defined scope of services (bookkeeping, tax déclarations, preparation of annual accounts);
• time spent: hourly billing for one-off missions (tax advice, audit, exceptional support);
• success fees: rarer, they are linked to the achievement of a specific objective (obtaining financing, tax optimisation).

In practice, the vast majority of firms offer a monthly package for day-to-day management, to which additional billing is added for services outside the scope.

For more information, see Chartered accountant price list, Chartered accountant rate simulator and Online accountant comparison 2026.

The legal status of your company is the first factor determining your accountant's price. Each form of business implies different accounting and tax obligations, which is directly reflected in the bill.

Micro-enterprise (sole trader)#

The micro-enterprise is the simplest régime from an accounting perspective. The sole trader has no obligation to keep double-entry accounts or file a tax return. The role of the chartered accountant is generally limited to advice, help with turnover déclarations and preparation of the income tax return.

• Average rate: €20 to €50 per month (€250 to €600/year)
• Services included: advice, help with URSSAF déclarations, preparation of income tax return
• Online firm: some offer free or nominal plans for sole traders

Sole traders rarely call on a chartered accountant for day-to-day bookkeeping. However, occasional advice on tax régime choice or threshold exceedance is increasingly in demand.

SAS and SASU#

The SAS is subject to full accounting obligations: double-entry bookkeeping, preparation of annual accounts (balance sheet, income statement, notes), filing with the court registry, tax return, VAT. If the SASU has a salaried director, payroll management and social déclarations must also be handled.

• Average rate without employees: €150 to €300 per month (€1,800 to €3,600/year)
• Average rate with employee(s): €250 to €500 per month (€3,000 to €6,000/year)
• Services included: bookkeeping, tax déclarations, annual accounts, VAT, payroll (if applicable)

A SASU without employees with modest turnover will sit at the lower end of the range. A SAS with 10 employees and turnover of €1 million will easily exceed €4,000 annually.

SARL and EURL#

The SARL has similar accounting obligations to the SAS, with some specificities related to the manager's social régime (self-employed or salaried equivalent). The EURL, the one-person version of the SARL, follows the same scheme with a single contact.

• Average rate: €150 to €350 per month (€1,800 to €4,200/year)
• Specificities: management of manager's remuneration, social déclarations for self-employed or salaried equivalent status

SCI (Real Estate Civil Company)#

The SCI has variable accounting obligations depending on whether it is subject to income tax (IR) or corporate tax (IS). An IR SCI uses simplified cash accounting, while an IS SCI must maintain full accrual accounting.

• IR SCI: €50 to €150 per month (€600 to €1,800/year)
• IS SCI: €100 to €250 per month (€1,200 to €3,000/year)

Beyond legal status, several elements directly influence your accountant's cost. Understanding them allows you to anticipate the budget and negotiate with full knowledge.

1. Volume of accounting documents#

The number of invoices, bank statements, expense reports and supporting documents to process is the number one criterion. A firm that receives 20 documents per month will not charge the same rate as one that processes 200.

2. Number of employees#

Each employee generates additional work: pay slips, social déclarations (DSN), leave management, employer certificates. Count on an average of €5 to €15 additional per pay slip per month.

3. Level of automation#

A manager who transmits their accounting documents via a scanning application and a connected bank saves their chartered accountant considerable time. This efficiency often translates into a more compétitive rate. Conversely, a manager who brings boxes of paper invoices every month increases processing time.

4. Frequency of monitoring#

Monthly monitoring with regular check-ins costs more than quarterly monitoring, as it mobilises more of the firm's time. Some companies prefer quarterly monitoring to reduce their accounting fees, at the cost of less frequent visibility on their financial situation.

5. Additional services#

Some missions are not included in the basic package and are billed separately:

• business creation (€300 to €800 depending on complexity);
• statutory amendment (change of registered office, legal form, corporate purpose);
• support during a tax audit;
• forecast study or business plan;
• tax or wealth optimisation advice;
• file recovery in a degraded state (surcharge of €500 to €2,000 depending on the extent).

6. Geographical location of the firm#

A Parisian or Lyon-based chartered accounting firm generally charges fees 20 to 40% higher than a provincial firm. This difference is explained by overhead costs (rent, salaries) and less intense competition in some geographical areas. This gap is narrowing with the development of online firms.

The chartered accounting market has undergone a major transformation with the arrival of online firms. These players offer rates generally 30 to 50% lower than traditional firms, thanks to extensive automation and the absence of physical premises.

However, the lowest rate is not always the most economical in the long term. An online firm can perfectly suit a simple structure with an autonomous manager. But a growing company with complex tax issues or a need for strategic advice will often get more value from a traditional firm offering personalised support.

Hayot Expertise Advice: a good chartered accountant rate is not the lowest. It is the one that corresponds to a clear scope, a reliable process and a level of service consistent with your expectations as a manager. Don't hesitate to ask for the details of included services before comparing prices.

Many managers compare chartered accountant rates by looking only at the monthly amount. This approach is misleading and can be costly. Here are the pitfalls to avoid:

• comparing a monthly price without reading the exclusions: some offers display an attractive rate but exclude VAT, annual accounts or social déclarations;
• forgetting file recovery costs: changing accountant generates transition costs that can reach €500 to €2,000;
• not looking at the level of management: a low rate may mean minimal monitoring, without regular appointments or strategic advice;
• not checking who is actually handling the file: some firms outsource bookkeeping to offshore providers, which can raise questions of quality and confidentiality;
• confusing basic package and complete mission: some services considered essential (tax advice, cash flow monitoring) may be billed additionally.

Negotiating your accounting fees is perfectly legitimate and common. Here are some ways to get a more advantageous rate without sacrificing quality:

• group your needs: entrusting accounting, payroll, taxation and legal to the same firm often allows a more interesting overall rate;
• automate document transmission: use the scanning tools offered by your firm to reduce data entry time;
• compare several quotes: request proposals from at least three firms specifying the same specifications;
• negotiate file recovery costs: some firms waive transition fees to win a new client;
• consider an annual commitment: paying annually rather than monthly can earn you a 5 to 10% discount.

We can help you compare offers based on volume, scope and actual service value. Our firm supports you in choosing an accounting support adapted to your situation.

Quick link: Assess the right level of accounting support

In 2026, the chartered accountant rate must be read as a reflection of a mission, not as a simple subscription. Fees vary from €250 per year for a micro-enterprise to more than €8,000 for an SME with complex needs. The real issue remains the coherence between the price, the scope of services and the quality of execution.

A chartered accountant is not an expense: it is an investment that saves you time, avoids costly errors and helps you steer your business with peace of mind. With fees that are tax-déductible, good support is partly financed by the tax reduction it generates.

(Official sources: article 18 of the code of ethics, Order of Chartered Accountants, INSEE)