Hiring an accountant is often one of the first things a new entrepreneur outsources. It feels safe. Someone else handles the numbers, and you can focus on the actual work.
But what does it really cost? And is it always the right move?
Accountant fees in Finland (2026)
Accounting service prices vary depending on the size of your business, the volume of transactions, and the firm you work with. As a rough guide:
- Sole trader, low turnover: €50–150 per month
- Limited company, normal activity: €100–300 per month
- Growing business or complex needs: €300–600 or more
Hourly rates typically run €60–120. If you contact your accountant with a one-off question, expect to see it on the next invoice.
These are ballpark figures. Always ask for a quote based on your specific situation.
What does an accountant actually do for you?
A standard bookkeeping service usually covers:
- Day-to-day bookkeeping — recording income and expenses
- VAT return submissions (monthly, quarterly, or annually)
- Annual financial statements
- Tax filing
Many firms also offer payroll management, invoicing, and financial reporting as add-ons, usually billed separately.
What's still on you?
Even with a full-service accountant, you're still responsible for:
- Supplying receipts and documents on time
- Sending over your sales and purchase invoices
- Monitoring your bank account and flagging anything unusual
- Reporting changes to the business (new contracts, major purchases)
The accountant needs information from you. If you're slow or disorganised with it, that tends to show up in the bill.
Three options for small business owners
1. Let an accounting firm handle everything
This makes sense when your finances are complex — multiple entities, lots of transactions, international activity. Or simply when you have no interest in touching the numbers yourself.
Cost: €100–300 per month or more.
2. Do it yourself with accounting software
Works well for sole traders and freelancers with relatively straightforward finances. Modern bookkeeping software like NoCFO connects directly to your bank account, pulls in transactions automatically, and uses AI to suggest how to categorise them. No accountant needed for day-to-day management.
Cost: €0–40 per month.
3. Software for the day-to-day, an expert when you need one
A lot of small business owners handle their own books and bring in an accountant for the annual financial statements or when something genuinely tricky comes up. Often the most cost-effective approach.
Cost: software at €20–40 per month, plus an accountant a few times a year.
NoCFO makes this easy — you can invite your own accountant directly into the software so both sides have full visibility into the same data. If you don't have an accountant yet, NoCFO's partner network includes a number of Finnish accounting firms that already work in NoCFO and can take over your books if you need them to.
If you'd rather keep the books in your own hands but want expert support available when questions come up, NoCFO also has a Support add-on for €24 per month. It gives you unlimited help via Google Meet on top of the chat support, and you can cancel it any time.
When does hiring an accountant clearly make sense?
- You have employees on payroll
- Your business operates internationally or VAT gets complicated
- You're setting up a limited company and aren't familiar with bookkeeping requirements
- You're preparing for investment or a potential sale
In these situations, professional support pays for itself.
When can you manage with accounting software alone?
- You're a sole trader or a small limited company
- You have a manageable number of transactions each month
- Your income comes from services, not product sales
- You have no employees, or just one or two
In this situation, modern bookkeeping software is more than enough. There's no reason to be paying hundreds of euros a month to an accounting firm.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost for a sole trader in Finland? For a sole trader, accounting services typically cost €50–150 per month depending on transaction volume and the firm. For straightforward finances, bookkeeping software is usually sufficient at a fraction of the cost.
Can a small business owner do their own bookkeeping in Finland? Yes. Freelancers and sole traders can manage their own books using modern accounting software without any accounting background. Bringing in a professional makes sense when finances grow more complex.
What does an accountant do for a small business? An accountant handles day-to-day bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual financial statements, and tax filings. Many firms also offer payroll and financial reporting as additional services.
How much does bookkeeping cost per month in Finland? Through an accounting firm, small business bookkeeping typically costs €100–300 per month. With accounting software like NoCFO, the cost is €0–40 per month. See the full breakdown on the NoCFO pricing page.
Does a sole trader need an accountant in Finland? Not necessarily. Finnish law doesn't require sole traders to use an accountant. Good bookkeeping software covers the day-to-day needs of most sole traders, with professional support available when needed.
The bottom line
An accountant is genuinely valuable when your finances are complex. But for freelancers and small business owners, it's not automatically necessary. The right tool saves thousands of euros a year, without cutting any corners on accuracy.
NoCFO is bookkeeping software built for entrepreneurs, not accountants. Try it free at nocfo.io.