The Bankeo Fee Barometer

How much does an accountant really cost in Quebec?

On average, about $3,000 per year, ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on your industry and circumstances. This applies to all types of clients, from self-employed individuals to incorporated companies. This is a general guideline, not your specific rate: your rate is determined in consultation with your accountant, based on your individual circumstances.

Find my accountant

Free, with no obligation.

~$3,000

per year, median for SMEs

$500 to $6,000

by sector

15,000+

Requests received since 2023

1,248

records analyzed (2024-2026 sample)

Fee rankings by industry

Median annual fee for an SME, excluding taxes, from highest to most affordable.

Construction

$3,540

Retail

$2,700

IT and Technology

$2,445

Food Service and Lodging

$2,250

E-commerce

$1,990

Professional Services

$1,500

Real Estate

$1,500

Events and Culture

$1,500

Healthcare Professionals

$1,125

Median based on requests received by Bankeo, 2024-2026, across all profiles, from self-employed individuals to incorporated companies. This is a guideline, not your specific price: it depends on your workload, your situation, and the services you choose.

The cost of accountants by industry

These medians are derived from an analysis of a deduplicated sample of 1,248 real-world cases via Bankeo (2024-2026). The “real-world cases” column indicates the sample size by sector: the larger the sample, the more reliable the median. The median reflects a typical engagement: in practice, most business owners combine two services, most often consulting and tax services. It is not significantly affected by very large cases. Sectors with small sample sizes (transportation, agriculture, finance, wholesale, startups, manufacturing) are not listed: their median would remain indicative; we therefore refer to the overall benchmark of approximately $3,000 per year, ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on complexity.

Sector

Real-Life Cases

Annual Median

Professional Services (Consulting, Legal, Communications)

562

$1,500

Construction

$3,540

Real Estate

$1,500

Events and Culture

$1,500

Healthcare Professionals

$1,125

IT and Technology

$2,445

E-commerce

$1,990

Retail

$2,700

Food Service and Lodging

$2,250

Factors affecting price

Two businesses in the same industry can pay anywhere from half to double the amount. Five factors explain the difference.

Transaction Volume

The more invoices, pay stubs, and bank transactions you have, the more time bookkeeping takes.

Tax Complexity

Incorporation, management companies, operations in multiple provinces, dividends: the more complex the structure, the more work is involved.

Level of Service

Basic bookkeeping doesn’t cost as much as comprehensive support. In practice, most business owners combine two services, most often consulting and tax services.

Your Industry

Every profession has its own deductions, obligations, and pitfalls. That’s exactly what the table above illustrates.

The Status of Your Files

Keeping your books up to date costs less than having to do catch-up accounting for several months or years of backlog.

Real numbers, the same rigor

These price ranges are based on actual requests received by Bankeo since 2023, not generic estimates. We apply the same standards as always: before we introduce you to an accountant, we evaluate them based on more than 20 criteria.

Discover the Bankeo Trust Index

Methodology: Estimated annual fees, excluding taxes, ranging from self-employed professionals to incorporated firms, based on requests received by Bankeo (data from 2024-2026). For informational purposes only: your actual rate is negotiated directly with the accountant you choose. Bankeo is a matching service, not an accounting firm, and remains free for you.

Frequently asked questions about accountant fees

How much does an accountant cost for an SME in Quebec?

On average, about $3,000 per year, ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on your industry, business volume, and the services you choose. Bankeo will connect you, for free, with an accountant who fits your needs and budget.

Why do prices vary so much from one accountant to another?

Because the cost depends on your transaction volume, the complexity of your case, the level of service, and your industry. The cost for the same service can therefore vary by as much as 100 percent.

Do the prices include taxes (GST and QST)?

No. The ranges in the Barometer are listed exclusive of taxes. GST and QST are added to the fees, as with any professional service.

Does Bankeo take a commission on the price?

No. Bankeo is completely free for business owners. You pay the accountant directly, at the rate agreed upon with them. Bankeo is compensated by the accountants in its network, never at your expense.

Is a cheaper accountant a bad choice?

Not necessarily. The right price is the one that matches your actual needs. An accountant who specializes in your industry may cost less and help you save more on taxes.

How can I get an accurate quote for my situation?

Describe your business to Bankeo: we’ll connect you for free with an accountant who specializes in your industry and fits your budget, and you can negotiate the price directly with them.

Find my accountant

Find the right accountant at the right price

Get a free match tailored to your situation, and we’ll be there for you every step of the way.

Find my accountant

How much does an accountant really cost in Quebec?

Fee rankings by industry

The cost of accountants by industry

Factors affecting price

Real numbers, the same rigor

Frequently asked questions about accountant fees

See also: Everything you need to know about accountant fees

Find the right accountant at the right price