"How much should I pay for accounting?" is the question every Sandton and Johannesburg business owner asks — and the one most accounting firms are strangely reluctant to answer. So here's a realistic breakdown of what accounting actually costs in the Johannesburg market, what drives the price up or down, and how to tell whether you're getting value or just paying for a brand name.
Typical Accounting Fees in Johannesburg
Market rates vary widely by firm size and service level, but for SMEs these are the ranges you'll typically encounter:
| Service | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic monthly bookkeeping | R1,500 – R5,000/m | Driven by transaction volume |
| Full-service accounting (SME) | R3,000 – R12,000/m | Bookkeeping + VAT + management accounts |
| Payroll | R150 – R500/employee/m | Includes EMP201, IRP5s, UIF |
| Annual financial statements | R5,000 – R25,000 | Complexity and entity type dependent |
| VAT201 submission (standalone) | R500 – R1,500/return | Usually bundled in monthly plans |
| Individual tax return | R850 – R3,500 | Higher for provisional taxpayers |
Large audit-firm brands typically sit at the top of these ranges or well above them; boutique firms and dedicated SME practices sit lower — often with better response times, because your account isn't handed to a junior.
What Actually Drives Your Fee
- Transaction volume. 40 bank transactions a month is a different job to 900. This is the biggest single price driver.
- VAT registration. VAT-registered entities carry bi-monthly submission work and stricter invoice record-keeping.
- Payroll headcount. Each employee adds statutory work — payslips, PAYE, UIF, IRP5s.
- State of your books. Clean, current books cost less to maintain. Months of backlog means a once-off catch-up fee before normal rates apply.
- Entity structure. Multiple companies, trusts or property portfolios multiply the compliance calendar.
Want a fee that matches your business, not a rate card?
Tell us your transaction volume and headcount — PayStream scopes a fixed monthly plan and quotes free within 48 hours.
Get A Free Quote — 48hr ResponseSigns You're Overpaying (or Underserved)
- You're billed hourly and the invoice is a surprise every month.
- You only hear from your accountant at year-end — no monthly reporting, no deadline reminders.
- Junior staff handle your account and every query gets "escalated."
- SARS penalties keep appearing even though you're paying a professional to prevent exactly that.
A good SME accounting relationship looks different: a fixed monthly fee agreed upfront, one senior person who knows your business, submissions filed before deadline (not on it), and management accounts you actually understand.
The PayStream Approach
PayStream was built around that model. We scope a scalable fixed monthly plan around your transaction volume, VAT status and headcount — covering bookkeeping, VAT, CIPC and annual financials, plus payroll if you need it. Director-level accountability, WhatsApp access to your accountant, and a quote within 48 hours. No hourly billing. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an accountant cost per month in South Africa?
Small businesses typically pay R1,500 to R5,000 per month for bookkeeping, or R3,000 to R12,000 per month for full-service accounting including VAT and management accounts, depending on transaction volume and complexity.
Is a fixed monthly fee better than hourly billing?
For most SMEs, yes. Fixed fees make costs predictable and align the accountant's incentive with efficiency. Hourly billing frequently produces surprise invoices and discourages you from asking questions.
Why do accounting fees vary so much between firms?
Brand overheads, staffing models and service depth. Large firms carry higher overheads and often assign juniors to SME accounts. Boutique firms typically charge less while giving senior-level attention.
What does PayStream charge?
PayStream builds scalable fixed monthly plans scoped to your business size, structured to be highly competitive within typical market ranges. Quotes are free and delivered within 48 hours.