South Carolina · SC
Find CPAs & accounting professionals in Charleston
Charleston CPAs serve ports, aerospace, automotive, hospitality, and a growing tech economy.
Charleston directory
Verified professionals serving Charleston
As verified CPAs, accountants, and firms claim profiles, they will appear here. Be among the first listed in Charleston.
Service providers in Charleston
Browse Charleston accounting professionals by service
Match the right kind of help to the work — CPA firms, tax preparers, bookkeepers, payroll providers, fractional CFOs, and industry specialists serving Charleston.
CPA firms in Charleston
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in Charleston
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in Charleston
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in Charleston
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in Charleston
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in Charleston
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
BrowseReady to hire?
Find a CPA in Charleston
Filter by service, industry, language, and free consultation.
Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Charleston
The work Charleston 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)
Average CPA pricing
What CPAs typically cost in Charleston
Typical fee ranges across common engagement types. Final pricing depends on complexity, deadlines, and any cleanup work required.
Individual return
W-2 households, second-home owners, retirees
$300 – $900
Small business return
Hospitality LLCs, professional S-corps
$1,100 – $3,600
Monthly bookkeeping + tax
Restaurants, lodging, and growing service businesses
$700 – $2,700 / mo
Fractional CFO
Aerospace and logistics scaleups
$2,500 – $7,500 / mo
Illustrative ranges only — request quotes from listed CPAs for exact pricing.
Local business requirements
What Charleston businesses need to file and renew
State and local filings most often missed by out-of-state or newly formed businesses.
South Carolina annual report
LLCs taxed as corporations and all corporations file the annual SC1120 with $25 license fee. Single-member LLCs (disregarded entities) are exempt.
Charleston accommodations tax
Short-term rentals and hotels collect 14% combined (state 7% sales + local 2% + 2% county accommodations + 3% city beach preservation). Monthly filings with SC DOR and the City of Charleston.
SC SUTA
South Carolina state unemployment insurance is based on a $14,000 wage base — among the lowest. Initial-year rates start at 0.55% for most employers.
Industries
Small-business industries shaping Charleston
The local economy your Charleston CPA should already know how to serve.
Ports & logistics
Aerospace (Boeing)
Automotive (Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volvo)
Hospitality & tourism
Tech & cybersecurity
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 Charleston 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 South Carolina notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
South Carolina individual income tax due — graduated to 6.2% top rate.
South Carolina corporate income tax due — flat 5%.
South Carolina Annual Report (Form CL-1 for corporations) due.
Charleston County personal property tax 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.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in Charleston
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.
ExploreTax Preparers
Find tax preparers for individual returns, small business returns, multi-state filings, and amended returns.
ExploreBookkeepers
Professional bookkeepers for startups, small businesses, and growing companies. Day-to-day books, reconciliations, and clean financial records.
ExplorePayroll Services
Payroll specialists and providers covering payroll runs, tax filings, multi-state compliance, and contractor payments.
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.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to Charleston
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Charleston
How much does a CPA cost in Charleston, SC?
Charleston CPAs typically charge $200–$425/hour, individual returns $300–$900, and small-business returns $1,100–$3,600. Hospitality, short-term-rental, and second-home specialists charge a premium for accommodations-tax compliance and dual-state filings.
How are short-term rentals taxed in Charleston?
Short-term rentals (under 90 days) owe ~14% combined tax: 7% state sales tax, 2% local option sales tax, 2% county accommodations tax, and 3% City of Charleston beach preservation fee. The city also requires STR permits (residential STRs are heavily restricted).
Does South Carolina tax retirement income?
South Carolina is retirement-friendly: Social Security is exempt, and retirees 65+ get a $15,000 retirement-income deduction ($10,000 if under 65). Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k) distributions all qualify.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified Charleston CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified Charleston CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | Charleston 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 |
Get matched
Get matched with a CPA in Charleston
Free, no obligation. We'll route your request to up to 3 vetted CPAs serving Charleston.
Take the next step
Hire a CPA in your city
Free matching
Get 3 free CPA quotes
Tell us what you need. Up to 3 verified CPAs reply within 1 business day. No fees, no pressure.
Request 3 quotesSide-by-side
Compare CPAs
Stack verified pros next to each other on pricing, specialties, and experience before you reach out.
Compare CPAsFree PDF
2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
Download free guideInternal links