Texas · TX
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Houston CPAs serve energy, healthcare, and the city's vast small-business community.
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Service providers in Houston
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Match the right kind of help to the work — CPA firms, tax preparers, bookkeepers, payroll providers, fractional CFOs, and industry specialists serving Houston.
CPA firms in Houston
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in Houston
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in Houston
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in Houston
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in Houston
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in Houston
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
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Find a CPA in Houston
Filter by service, industry, language, and free consultation.
Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Houston
The work Houston 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 Houston
Typical fee ranges across common engagement types. Final pricing depends on complexity, deadlines, and any cleanup work required.
Hourly rate
Advisory, IRS notices, and one-off planning conversations
$200 – $450 / hr
Individual return
W-2 households with K-1s, rentals, or oil & gas royalties
$400 – $1,200
Small business return
LLC, S-corp, partnership, or Series LLC filings + TX Franchise
$1,200 – $5,000+
Monthly bookkeeping + tax
SMBs needing monthly close, payroll, sales tax, and franchise compliance
$750 – $3,500 / mo
Illustrative ranges only — request quotes from listed CPAs for exact pricing.
Local business requirements
What Houston businesses need to file and renew
State and local filings most often missed by out-of-state or newly formed businesses.
Texas Franchise (Margin) Tax
All Texas entities file a Franchise Tax Report and Public Information Report by May 15 — required even at $0 due below the $2.47M threshold.
Harris County HCAD rendition
Business personal property rendition due to HCAD by April 15 (extension to May 15) — penalties for late or omitted filings.
City of Houston business tax
Houston has no general business income tax, but hotel occupancy tax (6%) applies to STR operators and industry licenses apply to alcohol, food, and construction.
Industries
Small-business industries shaping Houston
The local economy your Houston CPA should already know how to serve.
Energy & oil/gas services
Healthcare & medical practices
Logistics & port operations
Real estate & construction
Restaurants & hospitality
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 Houston 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 Texas notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
Texas Franchise (Margin) Tax Report and Public Information Report due — required even at $0 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.
Harris County business personal property renditions due to HCAD.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in Houston
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.
ExploreBookkeepers
Professional bookkeepers for startups, small businesses, and growing companies. Day-to-day books, reconciliations, and clean financial records.
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.
ExploreReal Estate Accountants
CPAs and accountants for real estate investors, syndicators, developers, and agents. Cost segregation, 1031 exchanges, REPS, depreciation strategy, and partnership returns.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to Houston
Major metros our directory also serves.
Statewide
Also in Texas · TX
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Houston
How much does a CPA cost in Houston?
Most Houston CPAs charge $200–$450/hour or $400–$1,200 for an individual return and $1,200–$5,000+ for a small-business return. Monthly retainers for combined bookkeeping + tax planning typically run $750–$3,500 depending on transaction volume.
Do I owe Texas state income tax if I work in Houston?
No. Texas has no personal income tax. Businesses above the $2.47M no-tax threshold owe Texas Franchise (Margin) Tax filed by May 15 each year — most Houston CPAs handle this alongside the federal return.
Can a Houston CPA help with property tax protests?
Many do, but property tax protests at HCAD are usually handled by specialized property tax consultants. A Houston CPA can coordinate the protest strategy with your overall tax picture and represent you on the income tax side.
What's the difference between an oilfield-services CPA and a general CPA?
Energy-focused Houston CPAs understand intangible drilling costs (IDC), depletion, working-interest vs. royalty-interest treatment, and Section 199A pass-through deductions — areas where mistakes are expensive. Ask any candidate how many oilfield or E&P clients they serve.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified Houston CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified Houston CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | Houston 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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