Accounting Cost in Florence (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Florence, accounting for a small business is usually charged either as a monthly package or as ad hoc hourly work. A realistic working estimate is roughly €80-€150 per hour for one-off professional accounting/tax advice, or about €100-€400+ per month for routine bookkeeping, VAT filings and basic compliance for a small sole trader or micro-company; more complex company accounts and payroll usually cost more.
Overview
In Florence, accounting costs are shaped more by the Italian tax/compliance system than by the city alone. Most businesses use a commercialista (chartered accountant/tax adviser) for VAT, bookkeeping, annual tax returns, social-security filings and company accounts. For very small businesses and sole traders, fees are often sold as a fixed monthly package covering ordinary bookkeeping and periodic tax filings, while advisory work, incorporations, year-end closings and complex tax matters are commonly billed separately. Florence tends to sit within the normal pricing band for larger Tuscan business centres: not usually the cheapest in Italy, but often below Milan-level specialist fees. Publicly standardised retail price lists for local accounting firms are uncommon, so exact Florence-specific published tariffs are limited. The most reliable official context comes from the Italian professional body for accountants, which confirms the regulated profession and the kinds of assignments commonly handled. In practice, the total bill depends heavily on legal form (sole trader vs SRL), accounting regime, transaction volume, payroll headcount, whether you need English-speaking support, and whether filings are straightforward or involve cross-border VAT, property, or employment issues. For budgeting, a freelancer under a simplified regime may spend low hundreds of euros per year or modest monthly retainers, while an operating company with payroll and full accounts should expect materially higher annual spend.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| One-off accountant / commercialista advice(per hour) Estimated range based on typical market rates for Italian commercialisti serving SMEs and sole traders in cities comparable to Florence; exact public Florence tariffs are rarely published by firms. Estimated range | ~€80 – €150 | Estimated range |
| Monthly bookkeeping and tax compliance for sole trader / micro-business(per month) Estimated range for routine bookkeeping, VAT/quarterly obligations and annual tax support for a small business with low transaction volume in Italy. Estimated range | ~€100 – €250 | Estimated range |
| Monthly accounting for small limited company (e.g. SRL), excluding complex advisory(per month) Estimated range based on typical Italian SME accounting packages where double-entry bookkeeping, statutory filings and year-end work are more involved than for sole traders. Estimated range | ~€250 – €600 | Estimated range |
| Payroll processing(per employee per payslip/month) Estimated range for routine monthly payroll administration in Italy; actual fees vary with contract type, sector rules and HR complexity. Estimated range | ~€15 – €35 | Estimated range |
| Annual accounts / tax return add-on or year-end closing for small company(per year) Estimated range for year-end accounts, corporate tax return preparation and filing support for a small Italian company, excluding audits or exceptional transactions. Estimated range | ~€500 – €1,500 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Bookkeeping
- VAT returns and routine tax filings
- Annual tax return support
- Payroll administration if agreed separately
- Chamber/registry and statutory compliance support where relevant
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti e degli Esperti Contabili (CNDCEC)
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Ongoing monthly service is most common; one-off advisory appointments are often billed by the hour.
How Fees Work
Usually a monthly retainer for ordinary bookkeeping and tax compliance, with separate fees for company formation, year-end accounts, payroll, extraordinary tax advice and representation in tax matters.
Factors Affecting Price
- Business structure: sole trader, partnership and SRL/company work are priced very differently
- Accounting regime and filing frequency, especially VAT obligations and whether simplified or ordinary bookkeeping applies
- Transaction volume, number of invoices, bank reconciliations and payroll headcount
- Need for specialist tax advice such as cross-border VAT, expatriate issues, property income or restructuring
- Language and service level, including English-speaking support and digital/cloud bookkeeping
Local Context
In Florence, as elsewhere in Italy, business accounting is strongly influenced by the national tax system rather than municipal fees. Prices are usually quoted before any applicable VAT on the accountant's invoice. Many very small businesses use the forfettario or other simplified arrangements, which can reduce bookkeeping effort, while companies under ordinary accounting rules face higher ongoing costs. Tipping is not relevant. International clients in Florence often pay a premium for English-language support and help with cross-border tax issues.
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). Estimated ranges are for budgeting only and should be confirmed with a Florence-based commercialista.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti e degli Esperti Contabili (CNDCEC) · official
Official national professional body for Italian chartered accountants/commercial experts; supports the regulator/industry-body identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do accountants in Florence charge by the hour or by package?+
Both are common. Routine bookkeeping and tax compliance are usually sold as a monthly package, while planning, problem-solving, incorporations and complex tax advice are often billed hourly or as a separate fixed fee.
Is a sole trader cheaper to manage than an SRL in Italy?+
Yes. A sole trader or freelancer in a simpler tax regime usually costs materially less than an SRL because bookkeeping, statutory compliance and year-end company obligations are lighter.
Does payroll normally cost extra?+
Usually yes. Payroll is commonly priced separately, often per employee per month, because employment contracts and reporting add recurring work.
Are Florence accounting fees fixed by law?+
Professional fees are not normally published as a single standard retail tariff for all firms. The profession is regulated, but firms usually quote based on scope, risk and workload.
What should I ask for in a quote?+
Ask whether the fee includes bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual returns, year-end accounts, payroll, F24 preparation, registry filings, software access and support in English. Also confirm what counts as extra work.
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