Free Accountant Quote Template
Accountants quote annually because the scope varies significantly between a simple sole trader tax return and a limited company with multiple directors and complex transactions. A clear engagement letter and upfront quote prevent billing disputes when the workload turns out to be heavier than expected.
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What should an accountant put on a quote?
An accounting quote sets out the services and the price before the work begins, such as annual accounts, a tax return, or bookkeeping. List each service and whether it is a fixed fee or an estimate, and note what could change the price. A clear quote helps the client compare and approve the scope.
Typical line items
- Annual accounts preparation
- Tax return filing
- Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping
- Payroll processing
- VAT or sales tax returns
- Business advisory or consultation
- Company formation or registration
- Estimated hours for variable work
How the work is charged
Accountants often quote a fixed fee for defined work like a tax return or annual accounts, and a monthly fee for ongoing bookkeeping or payroll. Advisory work may be quoted at an hourly or day rate.
Payment terms and deposits
A quote usually states whether payment falls due on completion, monthly for recurring services, or in stages. It is an estimate until accepted, so note how long the price holds and what could change it.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Quote the tax treatment of each service clearly, and confirm the rules that apply where you practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant charge for annual accounts?
Sole trader annual accounts and tax return preparation costs €350 to €900. Limited company accounts with a corporation tax return cost €800 to €2,500 depending on turnover and complexity. VAT returns cost €150 to €400 per quarter. Payroll processing for up to 5 employees costs €80 to €200 per month.
What should an accountancy quote include?
Specify each service separately: bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, management accounts, annual accounts, tax return, and any one-off advisory work. Include the turnaround time for each service and the method of working (cloud software, shared drive, paper records). Clients often don't know which services they need.
Do accountants charge for phone calls and emails?
Some do, some don't. Fixed-fee accountants include a reasonable level of correspondence in their annual fee. Time-based accountants charge for every communication. Quote your model explicitly to avoid clients feeling overcharged when they receive a bill for a 10-minute phone call.
Related quote templates
Read the complete quoting guide to see how to price a job and turn an accepted quote into an invoice.
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