In a business environment as competitive as Kenya’s sound financial management is not a nice-to-have, but a strategic necessity. From startups to large enterprises, every organization needs expert guidance to stay compliant, profitable, and financially healthy.
This is where having the right accounting consultant by your side becomes a key asset.
Accounting consultation goes beyond bookkeeping. It’s about helping businesses make informed decisions through expert financial advice, tax planning, audit preparation, and compliance management. A skilled accountant provides insights that safeguard your business against costly errors and missed opportunities.
In Kenya, professional accounting fees are not arbitrary. The Accountants (Remuneration) Order, 2021—enacted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)—sets the official benchmark for how much accountants can charge for services such as audit, assurance, taxation, and management consulting. The Order creates a transparent pricing structure for accounting services in Kenya, allowing clients to understand the cost drivers behind professional fees and giving accountants a standard benchmark when pricing their engagements.
What Services to Accounting Firms Provide?
Accounting consultation refers to the professional guidance offered by certified accountants to help businesses manage finances more effectively. It encompasses a wide range of services that go far beyond traditional bookkeeping.
In Kenya, accounting firms like Alphacap provide comprehensive financial support across several key areas:
- Taxation and Compliance: Advising on tax strategy, preparing returns, and ensuring businesses remain compliant with KRA requirements.
- Management Consulting and Advisory: Offering insights into cost control, budgeting, financial planning, and operational efficiency.
- Bookkeeping and Payroll: Managing day-to-day financial records, payroll processing, and statutory deductions.
- Financial Reporting and Risk Management: Preparing financial statements, analyzing trends, and assessing financial risks for strategic decision-making.
- Audit and Assurance: Independent examination of financial statements to ensure accuracy, compliance, and credibility for investors and regulators. Alphacap provides this service through our partner network.
Essentially, accounting consultation bridges the gap between financial data and business decisions—turning numbers into strategies that drive growth and sustainability.
Factors Affect Accounting Consultation Fees
Accounting consultation fees in Kenya vary widely depending on several key factors. It’s important to understand these factors as it can help you budget appropriately and give you a leg up when engaging accountants who fit your specific needs.
- Business Size and Complexity: Larger organizations with high transaction volumes, multiple revenue streams, or complex structures require more time and expertise—resulting in higher fees.
- Type of Service: Fees differ depending on whether the service involves tax filing, payroll management, financial audits, or strategic advisory. Specialized services like transfer pricing or financial restructuring also attract higher rates.
- Consultant’s Experience and Credentials: Certified accountants (CPAs) or professionals with advanced qualifications such as ACCA or MBA typically charge more due to their expertise and regulatory compliance.
- Location: Accountants based in Nairobi often charge slightly higher rates compared to those in smaller towns, reflecting the cost of doing business and market demand.
Every accounting firm uses its own pricing model, and some may offer bulk pricing discounts or bundled services depending on the scope of work.
While ICPAK’s guidelines set the minimum benchmarks, pricing can be tailored to suit a business’s specific needs, especially for long-term or bundled engagements.
READ ON: 6 Crucial Things Every Business Leader Should Know About SME Taxation in Kenya
How Much Do Audit & Accounting Consultation Fees Cost in Kenya?
Because Kenya has a formal pricing framework for accountants, you don’t have to guess what a legitimate firm should charge. The Accountants (Remuneration) Order, 2021 (issued by ICPAKand effective 1 July 2021) sets minimum fees for accountants in audit & assurance, taxation, and advisory/consultancy. An accountant is not allowed to charge below these minimums — doing so is professional misconduct under the Accountants Act.
When comparing quotes from different firms, keep four things in mind from the Order:
- Billing is time-based first — the schedule is pegged on chargeable hours by staff level.
- There are minimums per assignment — especially for audits.
- Out-of-pocket costs are extra — travel, accommodation, stationery, outsourced experts.
- Statutory taxes (VAT, Withholding Tax) are added on top of professional fees.
Let’s break it down by service line.
Audit and Assurance Fees in Kenya
Audit is the most tightly priced service in the Order.
a) Hourly scale (exclusive of VAT):
- Partner: Ksh 14,500/hr
- Director / Senior Manager: Ksh 3,500/hr
- Audit Manager: Ksh 2,000/hr
- Audit Senior: Ksh 1,000/hr
- Audit Assistant: Ksh 500/hr
These rates reflect the responsibility level — partners sign the opinion and carry the risk, so they’re highest.
b) Minimum audit fees by size (exclusive of VAT):
- Small company (revenue < Ksh 5 million): Ksh 50,000
- Medium company (Ksh 5 million – < Ksh 100 million): Ksh 200,000
- Large company (Ksh 100 million+): Ksh 1,000,000
- Regulated entities (banks, insurers, SACCOs, etc.): follow specific guidance — often higher than the above.
This means even if the audit took “little time”, the auditor still bills at least the minimum for that revenue band.
Please Note: The revenue scale above refers to the total annual turnover (revenue) a business generates -- not its asset size or profit level.
c) Why audits cost what they cost:
- Audits must follow International Standards of Audit (ISAs), require planning, fieldwork, review, and reporting.
- Firms must keep time records for all staff on the job.
- If more senior people touch the file (e.g. complex revenue, related parties, IFRS judgments), the rate applied is the higher one.
- If the client is outside Nairobi, travel + per diem are billed separately.
Taxation and Compliance Fees in Kenya
Tax is more varied because work ranges from simple KRA Tax Compliance Certificates to high-value tax dispute. ICPAK therefore gave minimum figures per task and a value-based formula for disputes.
a) Typical minimums (illustrative from the Order):
| Service | Individual / Sole Proprietor (Ksh) | Partnership / Local Ltd Co. (Ksh) | Foreign Co. / NGO (Ksh) |
| Tax Compliance Certificate | 2,000 | 7,500–10,000 | 10,000 |
| Income Tax Return Filing | 2,000–7,500 | 7,500–10,000 | 10,000 |
| Rental Income Tax | 2,000–7,500 | 7,500 | 10,000 |
| Tax Health Check / Audit | 20,000–50,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| Transfer Pricing Policy | — | 40,000–50,000 | 60,000 |
| General Tax Consultancy | 20,000–50,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
The actual rate charged depends on the complexity, urgency, and size of the assignment.
b) Tax Disputes (Value-based Minimums)
When the dispute has a clear value (say, Ksh 2,000,000 of tax in contention), the Order gives a sliding scale. Sample from the schedule:
- 0 – 50,000: Ksh 17,640
- 50,000 – 100,000: Ksh 23,520
- 100,000 – 200,000: Ksh 35,280
- 200,000 – 500,000: Ksh 58,800
- 500,000 – 1,000,000: Ksh 100,000
- Above Ksh 1,000,000: fee for 1,000,000 + 1% of value up to 20M, then 0.5% up to 250M, then 0.1% above that.
There’s also a lower scale (50% of the above) when the matter is disposed of quickly or ex parte. This gives tax firms flexibility while keeping a floor.
c) Attendance and representation
If the accountant must attend the Tax Appeals Tribunal / KRA meetings:
- Other attendances: Ksh 2,500 per hour
- Hearing days: Ksh 3,000 per hour after the first day
- Adjournment costs (when awarded): Ksh 1,200 per hour
So “tax consultancy” is not just the return — it includes representation time.
Advisory, Consultancy, and Outsourced Finance
This part of the Order covers what firms typically package as CFO-for-hire, financial reporting, payroll, restructurings, PFM assignments, corporate finance, and special investigations.
ICPAK gives both time-billing rates and percentage-of-contract approaches.
a) Time-billing (exclusive of VAT)
- Partner: Ksh 14,500/hr
- Manager / Qualified staff: Ksh 3,500/hr
- Accounts assistant: Ksh 2,500/hr
- Accounts technician: Ksh 1,500/hr
- Other staff: Ksh 500/hr
Firms choose the mix of staff depending on complexity, deadlines, and location.
b) Percentage-based consulting
For assignments like partnership deeds, PFM projects, project financing, investigations, valuations, or liquidation support, the Order allows billing at 2.5% – 5% of contract / gross value (e.g. 2.5% of the value of a PFM consultancy, or 5% of the value in an account-balance dispute). This is useful where the hours are hard to estimate up front.
Extras You Can Expect to See on the Invoice
The Order is very explicit that the following may be added to the professional fee:
- Out-of-pocket expenses (travel, accommodation, communication, special stationery, outsourced experts).
- Disbursements backed by vouchers.
- Statutory taxes and levies: VAT (currently 16%) & Withholding Tax where applicable.
- Interest on late payment — accountants may charge interest from 30 days after invoice, if agreed.
- Additional remuneration if the assignment was unusually complex, urgent, or risky.
So… What Should a Business in Nairobi Actually Budget when Engaging an Accounting/Audit Firm?
As a rule of thumb, for a Nairobi-based SME working with an accounting firm:
- Basic annual audit (turnover under Ksh 5M): plan for Ksh 50,000 + VAT + disbursements
- Routine company tax filings + occasional advisory: Ksh 10,000 – 30,000 per year depending on complexity
- Tax health check before KRA comes calling: Ksh 40,000 – 60,000
- Monthly bookkeeping + payroll + compliance (outsourced): often time-based using the Ksh 2,500 – 3,500/hr bands above
- One-off consulting / restructuring / valuation: billed at the consulting time rates or 2.5% of contract value
Anything significantly cheaper than this — especially from a “firm” — is likely not aligned with the ICPAK Remuneration Order. That should be a red flag for a business that wants defensible, audit-ready numbers.
How to Choose the Right Accounting/Audit Firm in Kenya
Selecting the right accounting professional can make the difference between financial clarity and costly missteps. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, the process should go beyond comparing quotes — it’s about finding a trusted financial partner.
Here’s what to consider:
- Verify Adherence to ICPAK Regulations : Always ensure your accountant or firm operates in line with ICPAK’s professional standards. This guarantees professionalism and compliance with the Accountants Act.
- Review Experience and Industry Expertise: Choose a consultant who understands your business sector — whether it’s logistics, retail, NGOs, or real estate.
- Request a Written Engagement Letter: A formal contract outlining the scope of work, timelines, and fee structure ensures transparency and accountability.
- Check References and Reputation: Reliable accountants will have verifiable testimonials and case studies from satisfied clients.
- Evaluate Communication and Responsiveness: Financial advice should be timely, clear, and practical. You need an advisor who can translate complex data into actionable insights.
For most professional accounting firms, every client engagement begins with a needs assessment — ensuring that your accounting solution is not only compliant but also tailored to your business goals.
Should I hire an Independent Accounting Consultant or Engage an Audit Firm?
When it comes to hiring an accountant in Kenya, businesses typically have two choices: work with an independent CPA or partner with an accounting firm. Both have advantages, but the right choice depends on your scale, budget, and service expectations.
| Criteria | Independent Accountant | Accounting Firm (e.g., Alphacap) |
| Cost | Often lower for small, one-time tasks | Standardized pricing aligned with ICPAK Order |
| Scope of Services | Limited to individual expertise | Multi-disciplinary team offering audit, tax, consulting, and advisory |
| Quality Assurance | Depends on individual skill | Reviewed work, structured quality control, and peer oversight |
| Scalability | Best for startups and freelancers | Ideal for SMEs and corporates needing comprehensive financial solutions |
| Reliability | May depend on individual availability | Teams ensure continuity and timely delivery |
In short, independent accountants may suit smaller businesses seeking affordability, while registered firms are better equipped for complex engagements, offering depth, compliance assurance, and long-term support.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Accounting Firm
While the Accountants (Remuneration) Order, 2021 sets minimum professional fees, there’s still room for clients to maximize value through smart engagement. The goal isn’t just to pay less — it’s to gain more from every consultation.
Here are practical ways to do that:
- Build a Long-Term Relationship: Retainer-based partnerships often deliver better insights than one-off projects. Your accountant learns your business inside out, improving efficiency and accuracy.
- Leverage Technology: Work with firms that use modern accounting software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, or Sage for real-time reporting and reduced manual errors.
- Bundle Services: Combining audit, tax, and advisory services under one firm often results in better coordination and cost efficiency.
- Negotiate Within Scope: While minimum fees are legally binding, firms can adjust pricing based on duration, complexity, or ongoing retainer agreements.
- Focus on Strategic Outcomes: The most valuable consultations are those that help improve cash flow, compliance, and decision-making — not just balance books.
Conclusion: Investing in the Right Accounting Expertise
Accounting consultation is more than a regulatory necessity — it’s a cornerstone of smart business management. With Kenya’s Accountants (Remuneration) Order, 2021 setting clear standards for professional fees, businesses now have transparency and consistency in what they pay for quality financial services.
Partnering with a certified accounting firm like Alphacap ensures your business not only complies with ICPAK and KRA regulations but also benefits from strategic financial insights that support growth, efficiency, and long-term stability.
If you’re seeking reliable accounting consultation in Nairobi, Alphacap’s team of experienced CPAs can help you navigate audits, taxation, compliance, and advisory services with precision and integrity.
At Alphacap, we customize our pricing to match your business’s unique scope, size, and financial goals.
So talk to Alphacap today — download our rate card and take the first step toward financial clarity and confident business decision-making.