Massachusetts · MA
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CPA firms in Boston
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in Boston
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in Boston
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in Boston
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in Boston
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in Boston
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
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Find a CPA in Boston
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Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Boston
The work Boston residents and small businesses most often hire a CPA to handle.
- Annual business and individual tax preparation
- Tax planning and quarterly estimates
- Bookkeeping and monthly close
- Entity selection and formation (LLC, S-corp, C-corp)
- Payroll setup and filings
- IRS notice response and audit representation
- Financial statement preparation (compilation / review)
Industries
Small-business industries shaping Boston
The local economy your Boston CPA should already know how to serve.
Life sciences & biotech
Higher education & nonprofits
Asset management & hedge funds
Tech & robotics startups
Healthcare & medical groups
Decision guide
When to hire a CPA vs. a bookkeeper
A bookkeeper records the past. A CPA shapes the future — taxes, structure, strategy.
Hire a bookkeeper when…
- •You need day-to-day transaction categorization and bank reconciliations
- •You want monthly financials but no tax filings or planning
- •Revenue is under ~$500K and your structure is simple (sole prop / single-member LLC)
- •You already have a CPA for taxes and just need clean books
Hire a CPA when…
- •You're filing business taxes (S-corp, C-corp, partnership)
- •You need tax planning, entity restructuring, or multi-state filings
- •You received an IRS or state tax notice or are facing an audit
- •You're raising capital, selling a business, or doing equity comp planning
- •Your books are a mess and you need cleanup plus a long-term advisor
Before you sign
Questions to ask any Boston CPA before hiring
Use this checklist on your first call. Strong CPAs welcome these questions.
- Are you a licensed CPA in this state? What's your license number?
- What industries do you specialize in, and how many clients like me do you serve?
- Who actually does the work — you, a staff accountant, or an offshore team?
- How do you bill — hourly, fixed-fee, or monthly retainer? What's typical for my size?
- What software do you use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite), and do I get access to my files?
- How do you handle IRS notices or audits if they come up later?
- What's your response-time expectation during and outside of tax season?
- Can you provide references from clients in my industry?
Stay compliant
Tax deadlines and Massachusetts notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
Massachusetts partnership and S-corp returns; PTE election made on the return.
Massachusetts individual (Form 1) and corporate excise (Form 355) returns due.
W-2s and 1099-NEC due to recipients and the IRS.
S-corp (1120-S) and partnership (1065) returns or 6-month extension.
Individual (1040) and C-corp (1120) returns; Q1 estimated taxes due.
Q2 estimated taxes due.
Q3 estimates; extended S-corp and partnership returns due.
Extended individual and C-corp returns due.
MA 4% surtax on personal income above $1M ('Millionaires Tax') affects equity comp planning for biotech and tech employees.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in Boston
Certified Public Accountants
Licensed Certified Public Accountants for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance services across the United States.
ExploreSmall Business CPAs
Licensed CPAs specialized in small business taxes, S-Corp and LLC structuring, quarterly estimates, and year-round advisory for owner-operated companies.
ExploreFractional CFO Services
Part-time CFOs for growing companies. Strategic finance, board reporting, fundraising support, cash forecasting, and KPI dashboards — without a full-time executive hire.
ExploreNonprofit Accountants
CPAs and accountants for 501(c)(3) organizations, foundations, and nonprofits. Form 990 preparation, fund accounting, grant compliance, and audit-ready financials.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to Boston
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Boston
How much does a CPA cost in Boston?
Boston pricing is close to NYC's: $300–$600/hour, $500–$2,000 for individual returns, and $2,000–$8,000+ for business returns. Biotech and asset-management specialists charge more for QSBS, R&D credits, and fund accounting work.
Does the MA Millionaires Tax apply to a one-time equity event?
Yes. The 4% surtax stacks on top of the 5% flat rate for any MA taxable income above $1M in a given year — including IPO RSU vesting, secondary sales, or business sales. Boston CPAs commonly plan multi-year exercise / sale schedules to manage threshold crossings.
What's the MA pass-through entity (PTE) excise election?
MA partnerships and S-corps can elect to pay a 5% entity-level excise on qualified income, which is federally deductible and refunded to owners as a credit — preserving the federal SALT-cap workaround. The election is annual and made on the entity return.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified Boston CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified Boston CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | Boston state + local filings | Federal only |
| Audit defense | Represents you to the IRS | You handle correspondence |
| Year-round planning | ||
| Typical fee | $200–$3,500 / engagement | $0 software + your hours |
| Specialty match | Industry-experienced | General-purpose |
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2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
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