How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Accountant?
What You Need to Know Before You Hire an Accountant
Whether you're a startup founder trying to bootstrap operations or a growing business owner getting ready for tax season, you've probably asked yourself: How much does it cost to hire an accountant?
It’s a fair—and crucial—question. Your accountant isn’t just a number cruncher. The right financial partner can save you thousands in taxes, streamline your operations, and free up your time so you can focus on building your business.
But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost varies depending on multiple factors, including the type of accountant you need, their location, experience level, and the complexity of your business needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know—from comparing onshore and offshore rates, to understanding what influences cost, and how you can hire smarter while spending less.
What Drives the Cost of Hiring an Accountant?
Before we get to the numbers, it helps to understand what exactly affects how much you’ll pay. Think of hiring an accountant like hiring any other professional: the scope of work, their credentials, your location, and even the tools they use all play a role.
Let’s break these down.
1. Type of Accounting Services
There’s a big difference between someone who reconciles your bank statements and someone who provides strategic financial forecasting. Here are the most common roles:
Bookkeepers: Handle transaction entries, bank reconciliations, and basic reporting.
General Accountants: Manage full-cycle accounting, reporting, and ensure compliance.
Tax Accountants: Handle tax preparation, filing, deductions, and audits.
Finance Managers: Offer CFO-level insights, financial modeling, and decision support.
As the responsibilities grow, so does the cost. Hiring a junior bookkeeper costs significantly less than bringing on a seasoned tax advisor or finance strategist.
2. Experience and Certifications
A junior accountant with one to three years of experience and no certifications will charge differently than a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) with 10 years under their belt.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
3. Onshore vs Offshore Hiring
Your location—and the accountant’s—can make or break your budget. Hiring an accountant in the U.S., UK, or Australia usually comes with a premium. Offshore professionals offer a more cost-effective, flexible alternative.
Let’s compare average costs for local vs offshore hiring.
What It Costs to Hire an Accountant Locally vs Offshore
Local (U.S.) In-House Accountant Costs
Junior Bookkeeper: $35–$45/hour
Senior Accountant or CPA: $60–$100/hour
Finance Manager/CFO-level: $120–$200/hour
Annual salary range:
$60,000 – $180,000+ depending on experience, location, and company size.
And that’s not counting benefits, training, and taxes.
Offshore Accounting Costs (Dev Partners Rate Card)
Hiring through Dev Partners provides reliable offshore accounting solutions tailored to both U.S. and Australian businesses. Here’s the breakdown:
🇺🇸 U.S.-Focused Roles (Hourly USD)
AU-Focused Roles (Hourly USD)
Compare those rates to local hires and you’ll see potential savings of 60–70%, with access to globally trained professionals.
4. Engagement Model
Hiring models influence the cost too:
Full-time In-House: Fixed salary + overhead + benefits.
Freelance/Contract: Hourly or per-project rate, no benefits.
Offshore (Through Agencies like Dev Partners): Lower hourly rates, vetted professionals, flexible contracts.
If you want flexibility and savings, offshore hiring wins—especially with a reputable partner that ensures accountability and skill fit.
Is Hiring Offshore Really Worth It?
Absolutely—if done right.
Here are a few reasons why businesses increasingly choose offshore accounting:
Cost savings (often up to $50,000 annually)
No long-term commitment
Scalable teams
Round-the-clock productivity
Certified talent familiar with US/AU compliance
According to Forbes, outsourcing financial services allows small and medium-sized businesses to focus on core growth while leveraging global talent.
Dev Partners: Trusted Offshore Accounting Specialists
At Dev Partners, we don’t just help you find an accountant—we help you build a remote financial strategy.
Our clients get:
Carefully matched professionals with industry-specific expertise.
Complete transparency on hourly rates (as listed above).
Flexibility—hire part-time, full-time, or per-project.
Seamless integration with your existing tools and systems.
We also offer IT Staff Augmentation to ensure your finance and tech teams scale together.
Real-World Example
A U.S.-based eCommerce brand needed a senior tax accountant and finance manager. Local hiring would have cost them over $150,000 annually. Through Dev Partners, they built a two-person offshore team for under $55,000—saving nearly $100,000 annually without losing performance.
When Should You Hire an Accountant?
Not sure if it’s time to bring in professional help? Look for these signs:
You’re spending more than 5–10 hours a week on financial admin.
Tax filing is becoming overwhelming.
You're expanding internationally or selling across borders.
You’re not confident in your current compliance processes.
You want better cash flow insights and forecasting.
If any of these apply, hiring an accountant isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment.
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Final Thoughts: Hire Smart, Spend Wisely
So, how much does it cost to hire an accountant? The answer depends on your needs—but with offshore options like Dev Partners, you can access world-class finance talent starting from just $8/hour.
It’s no longer about how much an accountant costs—it’s about what that investment can do for your business.
Ready to build your dream finance team? Contact us today and we’ll help you hire smarter.