CostGuide

Legal & Financial, District of Columbia

CPA cost in Washington, DC

A typical CPA figure in Washington is about $315 per hour, about 26% above the national figure of $250.

Typical cost

Typical in Washington

$315

per hour

Fair price range: $189 to $567

On the low end
$189
On the high end
$567

Estimated from national price data, adjusted for the cost of living in Washington. Insurance, coverage, and the details of your situation can change the real number a lot. Not a quote.

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An estimate for planning, not a quote. A local pro prices your actual job.

How prices have moved

Up 3.9%past year

Up 39.0%over five years

How prices for tax return preparation and accounting fees have moved nationally, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Tax return preparation and other accounting fees, CUUR0000SS68023), through August 2026. It tracks price change, not the dollar prices on this page.

What moves the price

  1. Firm size
  2. Specialty
  3. Business returns
  4. Advisory
  5. Location

Ways to pay less

  1. Use a local small firm
  2. Separate bookkeeping
  3. Ask for a monthly advisory retainer only if needed
  4. Prepare a P&L first
  5. Clarify what the rate includes

CPA in similar cities

PlaceTypicalRange
Washington, DC$315
$189 to $567
National typical$250
$150 to $450
Irvine, CA$304
$182 to $547
Arlington, VA$313
$188 to $563
Bellevue, WA$314
$188 to $565
Berkeley, CA$330
$198 to $594
Boston, MA$315
$189 to $567

Other Legal & Financial costs in Washington

CPA in every cityEverything in WashingtonAll Legal & Financial services

Questions people ask

CPA in Washington: what does it cost?

In Washington, DC, CPA typically costs about $315 per hour, with most prices between $189 and $567.

Why is Washington higher than the national price?

This estimate moves the national figure halfway with what the workers behind CPA earn in Washington, from federal wage data, and halfway with the local cost of living. Together they put Washington about 26% above the national figure.

Is this a quote?

No. It is an estimate built from national price data and local cost of living. A local pro will price your actual job.