Rhode Island · RI
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Providence CPAs serve financial services, healthcare, defense manufacturing, and tourism.
Providence directory
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Service providers in Providence
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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 Providence.
CPA firms in Providence
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in Providence
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in Providence
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in Providence
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in Providence
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in Providence
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
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Find a CPA in Providence
Filter by service, industry, language, and free consultation.
Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Providence
The work Providence 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 Providence
Typical fee ranges across common engagement types. Final pricing depends on complexity, deadlines, and any cleanup work required.
Individual return
W-2 households, multi-state commuters, rental owners
$325 – $950
Small business return
LLCs, S-corps, and partnerships under $2M revenue
$1,100 – $3,800
Monthly bookkeeping + tax
Restaurants, healthcare practices, professional services
$700 – $2,800 / mo
Fractional CFO
Mid-market manufacturers and healthcare groups
$2,500 – $7,500 / mo
Illustrative ranges only — request quotes from listed CPAs for exact pricing.
Local business requirements
What Providence businesses need to file and renew
State and local filings most often missed by out-of-state or newly formed businesses.
Rhode Island annual report
LLCs and corporations file an annual report with the Secretary of State between February 1 and May 1; $50 for LLCs, $50 for corporations.
Minimum corporate tax
RI imposes a $400 minimum corporate tax on all corporations and LLCs taxed as corporations — owed even at $0 net income.
Providence business license
City of Providence requires industry-specific licenses (food service, retail, contractors) via the Department of Inspection and Standards.
Industries
Small-business industries shaping Providence
The local economy your Providence CPA should already know how to serve.
Financial services & insurance
Healthcare systems
Defense manufacturing
Tourism & hospitality
Higher education
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 Providence 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 Rhode Island notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
Rhode Island individual income tax due — graduated to 5.99% top rate.
Rhode Island business corporation tax due — 7% with $400 minimum.
Rhode Island Tangible Property Tax return due to local assessors.
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 Providence
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 Providence
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Providence
How much does a CPA cost in Providence?
Providence CPAs typically charge $200–$425/hour, individual returns $325–$950, and small-business returns $1,100–$3,800. Healthcare, manufacturing, and multi-state commuter specialists charge a premium.
What is Rhode Island's $400 minimum tax?
Every Rhode Island corporation and LLC taxed as a corporation owes a $400 minimum corporate tax annually — even with $0 income. Single-member LLCs taxed as disregarded entities are exempt.
How do I handle Rhode Island and Massachusetts taxes if I commute?
RI residents working in MA get a credit for taxes paid to MA. MA residents working in RI similarly get a credit. Your Providence CPA prepares both returns and reconciles the credit on the resident return.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified Providence CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified Providence CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | Providence 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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