Accountants in New Zealand: what they do, credentials and costs
Accountants prepare annual accounts and tax returns, file GST and provisional tax, set up companies and trusts, and advise on structure and cash flow. Most small-business accountants now quote a fixed annual fee, often bundled with accounting software such as Xero.
Best accountants by city
- Best accountants in Auckland Ranking in progress
We publish city by city, and only once every business on a list is verified. More cities follow Auckland.
Browse accountants by city
- Accountants in Auckland 534 listed
- Accountants in Wellington 142 listed
What accountants do
- Annual accounts and tax returns
- Financial statements and income tax returns for sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts.
- GST and provisional tax
- Filing GST returns and planning provisional tax so there are no surprises.
- Bookkeeping and payroll
- Keeping Xero or similar software up to date, and running payroll and PAYE.
- Rental property tax
- Rental income, interest deductibility, ring-fencing and the bright-line test.
- Company and trust setup
- Choosing a structure and setting up companies, look-through companies and trusts.
- Business advice
- Cash flow forecasts, pricing, buying or selling a business, and lender reports.
Does an accountant need to be qualified?
Anyone in New Zealand can call themselves an accountant and prepare tax returns. The title Chartered Accountant (CA) is protected: it means the person is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, which sets education, ongoing training and ethics rules, and members who offer services to the public need a certificate of public practice. Many accountants are also registered with Inland Revenue as tax agents, which usually gives their clients more time to file.
How much does an accountant cost?
A business-sale guide estimates $1,500 to $4,000 or more a year for a small company's accounts and tax return. Public Trust lists tax-return preparation from $313.95 including GST; the cited one-off advice examples run from $150 to $600 per hour across different firms and scopes. Check each source or quote for GST.
| Job or rate | Typical price (NZD) | Unit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual accounts and tax return, small company | $1,500–$4,000 | per year | [1] |
| Bookkeeping or Xero management | $100–$400 | per month | [1] |
| One-off advice | $150–$350 | per hour | [1] |
| Accounts and tax return preparation, Public Trust | $313.95 incl. GST | per return, from | [2] |
| Chartered Accountant, Public Trust | $313.95–$440.45 incl. GST | per hour | [2] |
How to choose an accountant
- Ask for a fixed annual fee in writing, and what it covers: annual accounts, tax returns, GST returns, software and phone or email questions.
- Check whether they are a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ member) and a registered tax agent with Inland Revenue.
- Ask who will actually do your work, and how quickly they reply.
- If you own rentals, a trust or a company, ask how many similar clients they look after.
- Ask how extra work is billed, such as an Inland Revenue review, and at what hourly rate.
Red flags
- Hourly billing with no estimate.
- Asking for your myIR password instead of linking to you as your tax agent.
- Cannot explain what the fixed fee leaves out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost in NZ?
For a small company, annual accounts and a tax return typically cost $1,500 to $4,000 or more a year. Simple tax returns cost less: Public Trust charges from $313.95 including GST. One-off advice is usually billed at about $150 to $350 or more an hour.
How much does a rental property accountant cost?
Basic property accountants charge about $500 to $1,000 a year plus GST, mid-size specialists $1,000 to $2,000, and full-service firms $2,000 or more. Trusts and companies each add cost.
Do I need an accountant as a sole trader?
Not legally. Many sole traders file their own IR3 in myIR. An accountant is usually worth it once you are registered for GST, pay provisional tax, employ staff, own rentals, or want advice on structure.
What is a tax agent?
A tax agent is registered with Inland Revenue to file returns for clients. Clients of a tax agent usually get extra time to file their income tax return.