Why prices vary
Two companies can both say they need accounting, but the work can be completely different. A dormant company with a few expenses is not the same as a startup with revenue, payroll, card spend, payment gateways, and investor reporting.
The right budget is based on operational complexity, not company age.
- Number of bank accounts, cards, and payment platforms
- Monthly transaction volume
- Whether bookkeeping is monthly or annual catch-up
- GST registration and GST return support
- Payroll, CPF, IR8A, and contractor complexity
- Management reporting, burn, runway, and investor updates
- Prior-period cleanup or migration work
Common pricing models
The cheapest option is not always the lowest-cost option for a founder. A low monthly fee can become expensive if it creates cleanup work, unclear reports, or delays during tax season.
| Model | Best fit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Annual compliance-only | Dormant or very low-activity companies | Little monthly visibility and possible year-end document gaps |
| Monthly bookkeeping | Active startups that need clean records and recurring reports | Scope may exclude tax filing, GST, payroll, or advisory questions |
| Startup accounting package | Teams with revenue, hiring, fundraising, GST, or reporting needs | Needs clear scope around reports, response times, and transaction limits |
What startups should budget for
A useful accounting budget should cover the finance rhythm the company actually needs, not just the minimum work required to file something at year end.
- Monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliation
- Revenue, invoice, and payment platform review
- Expense categorisation and source document checks
- Founder reimbursements and director/shareholder loan review
- Monthly P&L, balance sheet, cash, burn, and runway reporting
- Annual accounts and corporate tax preparation support
- Email support for practical accounting questions
When cheap accounting becomes expensive
Cheap accounting can be fine for a simple, dormant company. It becomes expensive when the founder has to spend time fixing categories, chasing records, or explaining numbers that should have been ready.
- The books are only updated once a year
- Bank reconciliation is incomplete
- Reports do not show cash, burn, runway, AR, or AP
- Questions sit unanswered during tax or fundraising work
- Investors ask for numbers the company cannot produce quickly
This article is general information only and is not tax, legal, pricing, investment, or accounting advice. Check current official guidance and get professional advice for your company facts.