It is the first thing most people want to know, and the hardest thing to get a straight answer on. So let us be clear about it. Below are the real 2026 ranges for the services people ask for most, what pushes the price up or down, and how to get the best value for your money. Prices in London tend to sit below what you would pay in Toronto or the GTA, which is good news if you are shopping locally.
Bookkeeper Or Accountant? They Cost Different Amounts
Before you look at prices, it helps to know who you actually need, because people often shop for an accountant when a bookkeeper would do. A bookkeeper records and reconciles your day-to-day transactions, and usually charges $30 to $90 an hour. An accountant prepares your financial statements, files your returns, and gives you advice, and charges more, often $150 to $400 an hour. Many businesses need both: a bookkeeper through the year and an accountant at tax time. Sorting out which role you need first can save you a fair bit.
What Common Services Cost In 2026
Every file is different, but fees usually follow a predictable pattern based on how complex your situation is. Here are the going ranges.
| Service | Typical 2026 Range |
| Simple personal return (T1 with a T4 and RRSP) | $150 to $400 |
| Personal return with self-employment, rental, or foreign income | $400 to $900 |
| Self-employed return with a T2125 | $500 to $1,200 |
| Corporate return (T2) for a small business | $1,200 to $3,500 |
| Bookkeeping, hourly | $30 to $90 (bookkeeper), $150+ (CPA) |
| Bookkeeping, monthly | $300 to $2,000 |
| Payroll | $20 to $50 per employee, per month |
Many firms also bundle bookkeeping, sales tax, and year-end work into a monthly package, which often runs $450 to $800 a month for a small business.
What Moves The Price Up Or Down
Two people can walk into the same office and pay very different amounts. Here is what makes the difference.
- The state of your records: This is the big one. Tidy, organized books can cut your bill sharply, while a shoebox of receipts can double or triple the time your accountant spends.
- How complex your situation is: Rental properties, investments, multiple income sources, and a corporation all add work.
- Whether you are incorporated: A corporate return and financial statements cost more than a personal one.
- How early you come in: Last-minute filings near the deadline often cost more than files handed over early.
What You Actually Get For The Fee
It is easy to see an accountant as just someone who fills in forms, but the real value sits underneath that. A good accountant finds the deductions and credits you would have missed, and those often add up to more than the fee itself. They keep you clear of penalties and interest, which the CRA does not go easy on. They hand you back hours you would have spent wrestling with tax software. And when your situation gets more involved, they plan ahead so next year’s bill is lower, and they stand in your corner if the CRA ever comes asking questions. For a lot of people, that is money well spent rather than money out the door.
Hourly Or Flat Fee?
Accountants usually charge one of two ways. A flat fee means you know the price before any work starts, which suits clear jobs like a personal return, a self-employed filing, or a straightforward corporate return. Hourly billing, often $150 to $400 an hour, tends to come up for tax planning, CRA reviews, or cleaning up messy books, where the time needed is harder to predict. Either way, ask for the price in writing before the work begins.
How To Keep Your Bill Down
You have more control over the cost than you might think. A few simple habits make a real difference.
- Keep organized records: This is the single biggest lever. Clean books mean less time on your file and a smaller bill.
- Use cloud software like QuickBooks or Wave: so your numbers are ready to go instead of scattered across statements.
- File early: Many firms are calmer and cheaper before the March and April rush.
- Keep business and personal accounts separate: so no one has to untangle them later.
- Bundle your services: Combining bookkeeping and tax filing with one firm often costs less than paying for each on its own.
Is It Actually Worth It?
For a lot of people, yes. If you are self-employed, own a business, or have rental income, your accounting fees are a deductible business expense, so part of the cost comes back to you. Simple employment-only returns do not get that deduction, but they are also the cheapest to file. The rule of thumb is straightforward: if your taxes are simple and you are confident with the deadlines, software may be all you need. Once things get more involved, professional help usually pays for itself in saved tax, saved time, and avoided mistakes.
How We Price It
We do not believe in surprise bills. We give you a clear, custom quote based on what you actually need, and your first consultation is free. Whether it is a personal return, your books, or a corporate filing, you will know the cost before we start. If you would like a number for your situation, reach out and we will put one together.
