Short answer. Accountant fees depend on how much work your records need, not on your company’s size alone. Fixed monthly fees, per-transaction pricing and hourly rates are the common models. The best way to compare is to ask each firm for a written scope that lists exactly what is included, then compare like with like.
Axecta provides outsourced accounting and bookkeeping for companies across Malaysia. Talk to our team.
In this article
Pricing models
- Fixed monthly fee. A set fee for an agreed volume and scope. Predictable, good for stable businesses.
- Per-transaction or tiered. The fee follows the number of transactions or documents. Works for variable volume.
- Hourly. Suits one-off projects or advice, but is hard to budget for ongoing bookkeeping.
- Annual package. A bundle of year-end accounts and tax for low-activity companies.
What affects the fee
- Number of transactions and bank accounts.
- Quality and timeliness of the records you provide.
- Whether you have staff and need payroll.
- SST registration or e-invoice requirements.
- Foreign currency, group or related-party transactions.
- Audit requirement and who supports it.
- Reporting depth: basic accounts or detailed management reports.
- Whether the books need catching up.
What is and is not included
Need this done for you? Axecta’s outsourced accounting and bookkeeping team can handle this for your company. See the outsourced accounting and bookkeeping service.
Check each of these:
| Item | Ask |
|---|---|
| Monthly bookkeeping | How many transactions are covered? |
| Management reports | What reports and how often? |
| Year-end financial statements | Included or separate? |
| Tax computation and Form C | Included? |
| CP204 | Included? |
| SST and payroll | Separate? |
| Audit liaison | Included? |
| Catch-up work | Charged separately? |
| Queries from LHDN | Included or hourly? |
Questions to ask before you sign
- What happens if my volume grows?
- Who will be my contact, and how fast do you respond?
- What software will you use, and who owns the data?
- How do you handle tax queries and audits?
- Are there charges to hand over records if I leave?
- How often can the fee change?
Cost of not outsourcing
Doing it yourself costs time, and mistakes cost money: late filings, missed deductions, penalties and poor decisions from numbers that arrive late. Hiring an employee is another option, but it brings salary, statutory costs, training and cover for leave. Outsourcing converts a fixed cost into a service scaled to your needs. See the signs that you need an outsourced accountant.
Axecta’s approach to pricing
Axecta quotes a written scope and fee after reviewing your volume and records. We separate the recurring monthly service from one-off items such as catch-up work, so you can see what drives the price. Many clients combine accounting with company secretarial and payroll for simpler administration. See what outsourced accounting includes.
Build a fair comparison
Use one scope document for every quote. The more precise it is, the easier the comparison.
| Scope item | Describe your need |
|---|---|
| Transactions per month (sales, purchases, bank lines) | |
| Bank accounts and payment platforms | |
| Employees | |
| SST registered? | |
| E-invoice in scope? | |
| Audit required? | |
| Reports wanted | |
| Year-end filings: financial statements, Form C, CP204 |
Two regulatory items drive work every year: lodging financial statements through SSM’s MBRS and filing Form C within 7 months after the accounting period closes (LHDN). If a quote does not state who handles those, ask.
Signs a quote is too good to be true
- No statement of how many transactions are included.
- No mention of tax filings or MBRS lodgement.
- No named reviewer.
- A very low first-year price with large add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for accounting?
It depends on volume, scope and record quality. Get written quotes for the same scope and compare.
Fixed fee or hourly?
Fixed fees suit ongoing bookkeeping; hourly suits one-off advice or projects.
What affects the price?
Transaction volume, staff, tax registrations, reporting needs and the state of your records.
Is bookkeeping separate from tax?
Sometimes. Confirm whether tax computation and filing are included. Axecta can bundle them.
Is a cheaper accountant a false saving?
Not always, but check scope, review and who lodges filings.
Should I pay extra for catch-up work?
Usually yes. Catch-up is separate from the monthly service. Ask for a fixed price.
What does Axecta need to quote?
Your transaction volume, employees, tax registrations and the state of your records.
Want a fixed-fee quote for your business?
Axecta Management Services is a full-suite accounting, company secretarial and consulting firm in Kuala Lumpur, serving companies from SMEs to MNCs.
Get a fixed-fee quote
Keep reading
Official sources to check
- Axecta pricing
- Provider scope documents for comparison
This article is general information and not legal, tax or accounting advice for your company. Rates, thresholds, deadlines and procedures change, so confirm current requirements with the sources above or with Axecta.