The CPA Compass Fee Benchmark is an independent, annually updated reference for what certified public accountants charge across the United States. It exists because the most common question every prospective client asks ("what does this cost?") deserves a quotable, transparent answer instead of "it depends." Each range below is consolidated from current market data, sized to the typical case rather than the outliers, and refreshed each calendar year as fees move.
2026 fee ranges
All ranges are US-wide medians of the typical engagement. Larger metro areas (NYC, San Francisco, LA, Boston, DC) tend to fall in the upper third; secondary metros and rural areas tend to fall in the lower third. Specialized practice areas (crypto, cannabis, multinational) carry a premium above the high end.
| Service | Typical 2026 range | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|
| CPA hourly rate | $150 to $450 / hour | Hourly |
| Schedule C (sole proprietor) | $190 to $800 | Flat per return |
| Single-member LLC return | $300 to $1,500 | Flat per return |
| S-corporation return (1120-S) | $1,200 to $3,500 | Flat per return |
| Partnership return (1065) | $1,000 to $5,000+ | Flat per return |
| C-corporation return (1120) | $1,500 to $4,000+ | Flat per return |
| Monthly bookkeeping (small business) | $190 to $800 / month | Monthly |
| Monthly advisory retainer Complex engagements range $1,000 to $6,000+ per month. | $250 to $900 / month | Monthly |
- Disorganized records ("shoebox" engagements) typically increase fees by 1.5x to 2.0x.
- Each additional K-1 partner usually adds roughly $300 to $500.
- Ranges reflect entity type, bookkeeping state, and complexity. Quotes vary by region and CPA experience.
Methodology
The benchmark is constructed each year from three inputs:
- Published firm pricing. Fees disclosed publicly by CPA firms on websites and engagement letters across all 50 states, weighted by firm size.
- Industry survey data. Consolidated reporting from accounting industry surveys (NSA, AICPA PCPS) on average and median fees by service.
- Client-reported invoices. Actual invoices shared by prospective clients during the matching intake on this site, which over time builds an independent data set that no other public source has.
Ranges are reported as the central spread (roughly 25th to 75th percentile of typical engagements), not the absolute minimum or maximum. The intent is a number you can cite without caveats.
How to use this benchmark
When you receive a CPA quote, check it against the relevant range here. A quote within the range is normal. A quote materially below the low end usually signals either inexperience, a loss-leader pricing strategy that will reset on the second invoice, or that the CPA has misread the complexity of your situation. A quote above the high end is justified when the work is specialized (crypto, multistate apportionment, IRS controversy) or your records are unusually disorganized. Otherwise, ask what's driving the difference before you sign the engagement letter.
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Citation: please credit "TaxProMatch 2026 CPA Fee Benchmark" with a link to this page. The benchmark is licensed for reuse under CC BY 4.0.