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Payroll Advisory Pricing Calculator

Find the right price for payroll advisory services — with market rate data from AICPA and Thomson Reuters by client size.

Why This Matters

Underpricing is the #1 mistake accountants make when moving into advisory.

Most accountants who start offering payroll advisory services price it like a compliance task — by the hour, conservatively, afraid to charge "too much." The result is advisory work priced at bookkeeping rates, which burns out the accountant and undervalues the service to the client.

Here's the truth: a client who pays $400/month for payroll advisory isn't paying for your hours. They're paying to not have to think about workforce costs, compliance risk, and compensation strategy. That's worth a multiple of whatever your hourly rate is.

💡 Your moment: This calculator anchors your price to the market — not to your anxiety about what the client will pay. When you know the mid-market rate for this client type is $380–$520/month, you stop discounting out of habit and start pricing with confidence. Price signals competence. Low prices signal the opposite.

Step 1 — Client Profile

Market context (Thomson Reuters, AICPA 2023): Payroll advisory retainers for SMB clients range from $125–$1,500/month depending on complexity and scope. Most CPA firms bill $200–$600/month for standard advisory engagements. Hourly equivalent rates average $125–$250/hr for payroll-specific work.
Market Rate for This Client Type
Low end—
Mid-market—
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Step 2 — Services Included

Select every service included in this engagement. Hours auto-add to your estimate.

Step 3 — Your Practice

AICPA median for payroll advisory: $145–$200/hr. Big 4 equivalent: $250+

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