How to Start an Accounting Firm

Accounting services keep track of income, expenses, taxes, and other financial-related information for organizations and individuals of all types. Accounting services are in-demand for good reason. Professional accountants provide business owners and individuals with a clear picture of their finances, implementation of tax mitigation strategies, and all sorts of other financial benefits for clients.

Learn how to start your own Accounting Firm and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services.

Start an accounting firm by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Accounting Firm
  2. Form your Accounting Firm into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Accounting Firm for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Accounting Firm
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Accounting Firm
  7. Get Accounting Firm Insurance
  8. Define your Accounting Firm Brand
  9. Create your Accounting Firm Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your accounting firm. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Accounting Firm Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your accounting firm?

Business Name Generator

What are the costs involved in opening an accounting firm?

An accounting service requires an office, computers, accounting software, high-speed Internet, desks, filing cabinets, printers, insurance, and money for advertising. It is also necessary to become a certified public accountant (CPA). CPA exam fees typically cost around $1,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for an accounting firm?

An accounting service must pay monthly office rent, utilities, high-speed Internet, employee salaries, marketing costs, insurance, computer/software upgrades and general office expenses. The cost of monthly office rent for an accounting service depends on the size of the space as well as the location. In general, you can expect to pay between $600 and $1,500 each month to rent an office. It is also possible to operate out of your home or another property you own. Budget at least $150 to $200 per month for utilities including high-speed Internet.

A receptionist will require a salary of $25,000 to $35,000. A marketing professional will demand an annual salary in the range of $35,000 to $60,000 or more. If you do not want to handle the accounting work on your own, it will be necessary to hire one or several accountants. These professionals typically command a salary of $40,000 to $80,000 per year.

Budget in at least a couple hundred dollars per month for marketing. You will eventually have to replace and upgrade computer hardware and software. It is prudent to put $100 to $200 aside each month for these inevitable expenses. This way, you will have money available for replacements/upgrades when the time comes to implement them. Budget between $100 and $200 each month for office sundries like coffee, pizza parties, bottled water, staples, paper, ink toner etc.

Who is the target market?

The ideal client is a large business. Other ideal clients include wealthy individuals and business owners with myriad sources of income.

How does an accounting firm make money?

An accounting service makes money by charging clients fees. Some work on an hourly basis while others accept a flat rate for project work. Other accounting services are paid an annual sum of money that covers the entire year's worth of accounting work.

How much can you charge customers?

The amount of money charged to clients differs on the size of their enterprise, the scope of the work, the region in which you are located and a number of other factors. If you secure a high-profile business with substantial revenue, you can likely charge $125 to $350 per hour. If you are handling a single project such as year-of-end taxes for an individual, you can likely charge a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the project.

How much profit can an accounting firm make?

If you are a one-man operation, you will likely make between $30,000 and $75,000 in the first year or two. Continue to grow your business and your profits will eventually reach six figures. If you secure a steady roster of clients and expand throughout the region, it is possible to make millions of dollars.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Ask clients to recommend your services to colleagues and friends. Jump at the opportunity to tackle side projects such as a wealthy client's personal taxes. It is also possible to make extra money by teaching accounting classes and training others on accounting software programs.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your accounting firm is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

In most states, it is necessary to obtain an accounting license. Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an accounting business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

An accounting business is generally run out of an office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to an accounting business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your accounting business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

CPA Certification

In order to provide accounting services, you may need to be certified (a Certified Public Accountant). This certification allows you to perform services that would otherwise be illegal to provide without certification.

Services Contract

Be sure to create a services contract. The contract should make it clear exactly which services you offer, how much you will charge, and what will happen in case of any contingencies--for example, if your client is audited, will you be responsible?

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Accounting Firm needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Accounting Firm.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an accounting firm

The best way to promote an accounting business is by establishing relationships with local business owners and professionals. Attend networking events and conferences. Join the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) and/or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) so you can learn as much as possible about the industry and stay up to date on trends. Advertise throughout the community with flyers, brochures, press releases, ads on radio stations, commercials on local TV, regional magazine ads, town newspaper ads, etc. Make sure your website looks professional and has an intuitive user experience design. All website content should be optimized for search engines (SEO), so locals find your accounting service when conducting online searches for accountants within the community.

How to keep customers coming back

Start out by obtaining a license to operate your business in your home state. This credential is necessary to attract and retain customers. Spread out your marketing budget across an array of mediums. Press the flesh at networking events. Seize every opportunity to introduce yourself to business owners, investors, and anyone who you suspect might need accounting services or have the authority to make decisions related to hiring accounting services. Be sure to ramp up your marketing efforts during tax season when accounting services are in high demand. Match or beat competitors' prices, develop strategies to reduce client expenses, and explain accounting details in layman's terms clients can understand.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

If you are good with numbers, computers, spreadsheets, and have a passion for business, an accounting service is right up your alley.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an accounting firm?

The typical day for an accounting service business owner involves everything from searching for new clients to creating and modifying accounting spreadsheets, explaining financial information to clients, delegating duties to employees and handling marketing efforts.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful accounting firm?

It is important to differentiate your accounting service from competitors. Find a niche, master it, and the clients will trickle in. Furthermore, a mastering of financial concepts, tax laws, accounting principles and mathematics will help. It is also prudent to familiarize oneself with the nuances of accounting software programs such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Peachtree.

What is the growth potential for an accounting firm?

Accounting is a hot field. As long as businesses and complex finance/tax laws exist, accounting services will play an important role. Prove your worth as an accountant and you will gradually add clients to your roster. It is even possible to expand throughout your region, across the state and beyond. The optimal result is growing your accounting service to the point that it provides services for clients throughout the nation and even the world.

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Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an accounting firm?

Recruiting new clients is the lifeblood of an accounting service business. Advertise across an array of mediums to make a name for your accounting service within the community. Master your selected accounting software program. Beat competitors' prices and find creative ways to save clients’ money.

How and when to build a team

You might not need much of a team right away. Once the phone starts ringing, you will benefit from having a receptionist on staff. A marketing professional and junior accountants will eventually be necessary as the business grows. Wait until you have at least a couple clients before adding a full-time employee to the team. You will likely be able to handle reception duties, marketing and the accounting workload in the initial months before bringing a salaried employee on board.

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