Most accounting firms will not tell you what they charge until you have booked a consultation. We do not think it should work that way. Here is what accountants actually cost in Ontario in 2026, based on publicly available pricing across the industry.
What You Can Expect to Pay
Basic personal tax return (T1): $250 to $350
Personal tax return with rental, investments, or self-employment: $350 to $1,000
Monthly bookkeeping for a small business: $200 to $800 per month
Corporate year-end and T2 return: $2,000 to $4,000+
Full-service monthly accounting (bookkeeping, HST, payroll, advisory): $1,000 to $2,500+ per month
CPA hourly rate: $500
The number you actually pay depends on the complexity of your situation, the level of service you want, and the firm you choose.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Complexity. Multiple income sources, rental properties, investments, self-employment, foreign assets, and corporate structures all add time.
Record quality. Organized digital records reduce billable hours. A shoebox of receipts in April does the opposite.
Service model. Year-end-only compliance costs less per engagement than ongoing monthly advisory. But the ongoing model usually saves money overall because problems get caught throughout the year, not at tax time.
Firm type. A CPA-led firm typically charges more than a seasonal tax preparer. The difference reflects the depth of expertise, the regulatory oversight CPAs operate under, and the work they can take on, compilation engagements, complex tax planning, and CRA dispute resolution.
Why the Cheapest Option Often Costs More
A $99 storefront tax return sounds great in April. But if you are self-employed, incorporated, or have any complexity, the savings tend to disappear quickly. Missed deductions, incorrect HST filings, and overlooked planning opportunities can cost thousands, often more than the fee difference.
Our founder, Matthew Cassar, puts it this way to clients: a good accountant should pay for themselves. Either through the tax they save you, the time they free up, or the costly mistakes they help you avoid.
How Cassar CPA Approaches Pricing
We offer three solution models. Essential is for owners who handle their own bookkeeping and need a CPA for year-end and tax planning. Premier is for owners who want us as their de facto accounting department, including monthly bookkeeping and ongoing advisory. Elite is CFO-level strategic support, monthly meetings, forecasting, and long-term planning.
Every engagement starts with a complimentary discovery meeting so we can understand your situation and propose a service model that fits. We do not quote a price before we understand what you need.
Talk to Us
We work with individuals, small business owners, and incorporated professionals from our offices in Toronto and Oakville, serving the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario more broadly.
Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery meeting to get a transparent quote for your situation.