Accounting Cost in Amsterdam (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Amsterdam, small-business accounting is commonly charged either as a monthly package or by the hour. A realistic estimated range is about €75–€150 per hour for ad hoc work, or roughly €100–€400+ per month for basic bookkeeping and annual compliance for a small sole trader or micro-business, with higher fees for BV companies, payroll, VAT complexity and advisory work. Exact prices vary widely by transaction volume and legal structure, and many Dutch firms quote only after reviewing the business.
Overview
Accounting costs in Amsterdam depend mainly on whether you need simple bookkeeping for a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak), or a broader package for a Dutch private limited company (BV). In the Netherlands, accountancy and tax-administration firms often use monthly fixed-fee packages covering bookkeeping, VAT returns and year-end accounts, while one-off advice, clean-up work and specialist tax support are frequently billed hourly. For a very small business with low transaction volume, monthly fees are often at the lower end of the market; businesses with payroll, cross-border VAT, management reporting or corporation tax needs typically pay more. Amsterdam tends to sit towards the higher end of Dutch pricing because of labour costs and the concentration of international businesses, startups and English-speaking service demand. A practical rule of thumb is that bookkeeping-only support is cheaper than full compliance plus advisory support, and a BV usually costs more than an eenmanszaak because annual accounts and corporation tax filings are more involved. If you want a registered accountant rather than a general bookkeeping firm, fees may rise further. In the Dutch market, it is sensible to compare what is included: VAT filings, annual accounts, income or corporation tax returns, payroll runs, software subscriptions and Companies House-equivalent Chamber of Commerce support can all affect the total. Always ask whether prices exclude VAT, as many business-service quotes in the Netherlands are shown before BTW.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ad hoc accounting or bookkeeping support(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Dutch SME accounting and bookkeeping market rates in Amsterdam and other major cities; exact public rate cards are often not published and firms usually quote after intake. | ~€75 – €150 | Estimated range |
| Monthly bookkeeping package for a sole trader or freelancer(per month) Estimated range for low-to-moderate transaction volume, typically covering bookkeeping and periodic VAT returns; excludes complex advice and often excludes VAT. | ~€100 – €250 | Estimated range |
| Monthly accounting package for a small BV(per month) Estimated range for a small Amsterdam BV needing routine bookkeeping, VAT and year-end compliance support; higher for payroll, multiple shareholders, or international transactions. | ~€200 – €400 | Estimated range |
| Annual accounts and tax compliance for a micro-business(per year) Estimated all-in annual compliance range for simple Dutch micro-businesses; actual scope varies sharply by legal form, bookkeeping quality and whether monthly work is already included. | ~€800 – €2,500 | Estimated range |
| Payroll administration add-on(per employee per month) Estimated range for routine payroll processing as an add-on to accounting services; setup fees and annual payroll reporting may be extra. | ~€15 – €40 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Bookkeeping
- VAT returns (BTW-aangifte)
- Annual accounts or year-end statements
- Income tax or corporation tax filing support
- Sometimes payroll and management reporting as add-ons
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (NBA)
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Ongoing monthly service for most businesses; one-off advisory work is often billed by the hour.
How Fees Work
Most Amsterdam accounting providers use either a monthly package or hourly billing. Fixed monthly fees usually depend on transaction volume and company type, while specialist advice, corrections and urgent work are often charged separately.
Factors Affecting Price
- Business legal structure, especially eenmanszaak versus BV
- Volume of transactions, invoices, bank feeds and VAT complexity
- Whether fees include VAT returns, annual accounts, tax filings and payroll
- Need for English-language support, advisory work or international tax input
- Quality of records provided and whether bookkeeping needs catch-up or correction
Local Context
Amsterdam is one of the more expensive Dutch markets for professional services, especially for English-speaking and internationally focused firms. Many providers quote ex. BTW, and business clients usually reclaim VAT where eligible. Prices also tend to be higher for startups with investors, e-commerce sellers, and businesses with EU or non-EU VAT obligations.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in euros (EUR). In the Netherlands, accounting quotes are often shown excluding VAT unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (NBA) · industry
Professional body for accountants in the Netherlands; supports the regulatory context for registered accountants.
- Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) · official
Official Dutch Chamber of Commerce context for business forms such as eenmanszaak and BV relevant to accounting scope and pricing.
- Belastingdienst · government
Official Dutch tax authority context for VAT, income tax and corporation tax obligations that drive accounting workload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is accounting in Amsterdam usually charged monthly or hourly?+
Both are common. Routine bookkeeping and tax compliance are often sold as monthly packages, while advice, restructuring, clean-up work and complex tax questions are commonly billed by the hour.
Does a BV cost more than a sole trader to account for?+
Yes. A BV generally costs more because year-end reporting, corporation tax and governance requirements are more involved than for an eenmanszaak or freelancer.
Are quoted accounting prices usually inclusive of VAT?+
Not always. Dutch business-service pricing is frequently quoted excluding BTW, so you should confirm whether VAT is included before comparing offers.
What should be included in a basic accounting package?+
For most small businesses, the essentials are bookkeeping, VAT returns, year-end accounts and the relevant tax return. Payroll, annual minutes, software subscriptions and advisory calls may be extra.
Do I need a registered accountant in the Netherlands?+
Not every small business needs a Dutch registered accountant for routine bookkeeping. However, if you want work performed or reviewed by a professionally regulated accountant, look for an accountant associated with the NBA.
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Check current prices at the official source
Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (NBA)
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