Quick answer: Outsourced accounting in Malaysia has no standard price. Firms usually charge a fixed monthly fee that depends on your transaction volume, the condition of your records, payroll headcount, and the filings and reports you need. Fees can also be per transaction, hourly or per project. Compare quotes on the same written scope, and check what is excluded, such as audit, tax filing and software subscriptions.
Key takeaways
- There is no standard fee. It depends on volume, record quality, payroll and scope.
- Common models: fixed monthly, per transaction, hourly, per project and per employee for payroll.
- Audit is a separate engagement and may not be needed if your company is audit-exempt.
- Compare quotes on the same scope, including filings, reports and extra-work pricing.
- Directors remain responsible for accounting records under section 245.
How Do Accounting Firms Charge?
Five common fee models.
| Fee model | How it works | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed monthly fee | One agreed fee for an agreed scope each month. | Steady transaction volume. | Check what happens if volume grows. |
| Per transaction or document | The fee rises or falls with the number of entries or documents processed. | Low or seasonal volume. | Cost can jump in busy months. Ask for a cap. |
| Hourly rate | You pay for the time spent. | Ad hoc advice and one-off questions. | Hard to budget. Ask for an estimate. |
| One-off project fee | A fixed fee for a task, such as catch-up bookkeeping or year-end accounts. | Backlogs and clean-ups. | Agree the period covered and the records needed. |
| Per employee (payroll) | A fee for each employee on the monthly payroll. | Payroll outsourcing. | Confirm EPF, PERKESO and tax submissions are included. |
What Makes the Fee Go Up or Down?
What tends to raise the fee
Volume and complexity
- Many transactions, invoices or bank accounts.
- Foreign currency, inventory or multiple entities.
Condition of your records
- Missing documents or a backlog to catch up.
- Records that need cleaning before the books can be relied on.
What tends to keep it down
Good habits on your side
- Documents sent on time and in one place.
- Bank feeds and cloud accounting set up.
A clear scope
- Agreed reports and deadlines.
- Fewer last-minute requests.
Want a fee based on your own numbers? Tell us your volume and we will quote a clear scope.
What Should a Quote Spell Out?
Eight items to ask about.
- What is included each month, and what is not.
- Who files the company tax return, CP204 and SSM annual return, and who pays the filing fees.
- Whether payroll, EPF, PERKESO and monthly tax deduction submissions are included.
- Which reports you receive and by what date each month.
- Who owns the accounting software subscription and the data.
- How extra work is priced and how you approve it.
- How a change in transaction volume changes the fee.
- Notice period and what you receive if you leave.
Where Do Owners Go Wrong?
Comparing price without scope
Two quotes can look different because they cover different work. Match the scope first.
Assuming audit is included
An audit is a separate engagement. Check whether your company needs one at all.
Leaving the subscription in the provider's name
Keep accounting software in your company's name so the data stays with you.
Not telling the firm about backlog
Catch-up work is usually priced separately. Tell them early so the quote is accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on the cost of outsourced accounting.
How much does outsourced accounting cost in Malaysia?
There is no standard price. Firms usually quote a fixed monthly fee after reviewing your transaction volume, the state of your records, whether you need payroll and tax work, and what reports you want. Ask for the fee and the scope in writing.
What affects the monthly fee?
The number of transactions and bank accounts, the quality of your records, the number of employees on payroll, whether you are registered for other taxes, the reports you need and how fast you need them.
What are the usual fee models?
A fixed monthly fee, a fee per transaction or document, an hourly rate, a one-off fee for projects such as catch-up work or year-end accounts, and a per-employee fee for payroll.
Is audit included in the monthly fee?
Normally not. An audit is a separate engagement by a licensed auditor, who must be independent. A private company that qualifies for audit exemption does not need one. See our audit exemption guide.
Is payroll included?
Often priced separately, commonly by the number of employees. Confirm whether EPF, PERKESO and monthly tax deduction submissions are included.
Are tax return and SSM filing included?
Not always. Ask whether the company tax return, CP204 estimate and instalments, and SSM annual return and financial statements lodgement are in the monthly fee or quoted separately.
Is the accounting software subscription included?
Often separate. Ask who owns the subscription. If it is in your company's name, you keep the data if you change firms.
Can there be extra charges?
Yes, for work outside the agreed scope, such as catching up a backlog, a sudden rise in transactions, special reports or responding to a tax audit. Ask what is covered and how extra work is priced.
How do I compare two quotes?
Compare the same scope. List what each firm does monthly, quarterly and yearly, who is responsible for each deadline, what reports you receive and what is excluded.
Is outsourcing cheaper than hiring an accountant?
It depends on your volume and needs. See our guide comparing an in-house accountant with outsourced accounting.
Are directors still responsible if we outsource?
Yes. Under section 245 of the Companies Act 2016, directors are responsible for keeping accounting records. A provider helps, but the responsibility stays with the directors.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Not on price alone. A low fee with a narrow scope can cost more once extra work is billed. Compare scope, deadlines and who answers your questions.
Sources
Official sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Agencies change their requirements, so confirm the current rules with SSM and LHDN, or with us, before you act. Checked November 2026.
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