Understand your books and taxes. Then get matched, free, with an accountant you can trust.
Honest fee ranges by service, how bookkeeping, taxes, and payroll really work, how to spot a licensed CPA or Enrolled Agent, and a free way to find one near you — in your language.
BalancedRow is a free matching service, not an accounting firm. You compare quotes and choose who to hire.
What accounting help costs, by service
Typical ranges depend on the work involved, your situation, and your area. These are estimates, not quotes.
| Service | Typical fee | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Individual tax return | $180 – $500 | A typical 1040 with common forms |
| Small-business return | $500 – $1,800 | Schedule C, partnership, or S-corp |
| Monthly bookkeeping | $150 – $600/mo | Per month, by volume |
| Payroll service | $40 – $120/mo+ | Per month, plus per employee |
Ranges are typical estimates, not quotes. Your real fee depends on the work involved, your situation, the records you bring, and your area.
What the accountants we match handle
From a single tax return to year-round books, payroll, and advisory — find the right kind of help for you or your business.
Tax preparation & filing
Individual and business tax return preparation and e-filing, what a preparer needs from you, what it typically costs, and how to make sure your return is done right.
Learn more ServicesBookkeeping & monthly accounting
Recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and monthly financial statements — what bookkeeping really involves, what it costs, and how it keeps your taxes clean.
Learn more ServicesPayroll & contractor payments
Running payroll, withholding, payroll-tax filings, and 1099s for contractors — the basics for a small employer and what payroll services typically cost.
Learn more ServicesSmall-business accounting
Entity setup, sales tax, quarterly estimates, and year-round accounting for a small business or self-employed owner, including new immigrant entrepreneurs.
Learn more ServicesTax planning & advisory
Forward-looking tax planning, entity choice, and financial advisory — how a good accountant saves you more than the fee, and what advisory work typically costs.
Learn more ServicesITIN & immigrant tax help
Applying for an ITIN, filing without an SSN, foreign-income and treaty basics, and finding an accountant who works with immigrant and ITIN filers.
Learn moreAre you filing for yourself, or running a business?
The right help looks different for an individual than for a small business. Start in the column that fits you.
For individuals & families
- One or more W-2 jobs, or 1099 income
- ITIN filing or filing without an SSN
- Deductions, credits, and a bigger refund without overpaying
- An IRS notice or a past mistake to fix
For small businesses & self-employed
- Bookkeeping and monthly statements
- Quarterly estimates and entity choice
- Payroll and 1099 contractor payments
- Sales tax and year-round advisory
How BalancedRow works
Four clear steps — and you stay in control the whole way.
Tell us what you need
Whether it's a tax return, monthly books, payroll, or ITIN help, plus your area and how to reach you. Contact details only — never your SSN, ITIN number, bank login, or tax documents.
Get matched, free
We connect you with licensed accountants (CPAs and Enrolled Agents) near you, at no cost to you. You'll usually hear from more than one so you can compare.
Compare fees in writing
Ask each accountant for the fee and scope in writing. The lowest number on the phone is rarely the real bill — read what's included and compare like for like.
You choose & hire
You decide who to hire. Verify the credential and PTIN, get the engagement in writing, and only share sensitive documents after you've confirmed who they are.
Accounting & tax guides
Plain-language guides to fees, choosing an accountant, taxes for immigrants, and keeping clean books.
How we are paid
BalancedRow is free for you. The licensed accountants we match you with pay a flat fee to receive your request. We never take a percentage of a refund, we never take a cut of any fee, and we never charge you to be matched.
Protect your information
Always hire a licensed accountant (a CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent), verify the credential and PTIN yourself, confirm the fee and scope in writing before any work, and never share your Social Security Number, ITIN, bank login, or tax documents with anyone you have not verified.
Get matched with a licensed accountant — free
Tell us what you need and your area. We connect you, at no cost, with licensed accountants (CPAs and Enrolled Agents) near you. You compare and choose who to hire.