Virginia · VA
Find CPAs & accounting professionals in Richmond
Richmond CPAs serve Fortune 500 headquarters, banking and insurance, tobacco-to-tech manufacturers, and Virginia's state-capital legal and government economy.
Richmond directory
Verified professionals serving Richmond
As verified CPAs, accountants, and firms claim profiles, they will appear here. Be among the first listed in Richmond.
Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Richmond
The work Richmond 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 Richmond
The local economy your Richmond CPA should already know how to serve.
Banking, insurance & financial services
Manufacturing & advanced materials
Healthcare & life sciences
Government & legal services
Real estate & development
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 Richmond 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 Virginia notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
Virginia individual income tax return (Form 760) due — Virginia's filing deadline is later than the federal April 15 date.
Virginia corporate income tax return (Form 500) and federal individual / C-corp returns due.
City of Richmond BPOL (business license) tax return and renewal due to the Department of Finance.
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 Richmond
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.
ExploreBookkeepers
Professional bookkeepers for startups, small businesses, and growing companies. Day-to-day books, reconciliations, and clean financial records.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to Richmond
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Richmond
How much does a CPA cost in Richmond?
Richmond CPAs typically charge $200–$425/hour, $350–$1,300 for individual returns, and $1,300–$5,500+ for business returns. Banking, insurance, and manufacturing specialists charge a premium for ASC 740 provisions, cost segregation, and multi-state nexus work.
Why does Virginia have a May 1 filing deadline?
Virginia statutorily sets the individual income tax return due date at May 1 (not the federal April 15). Most Richmond CPAs still target April 15 to align with the federal return, but the extra two weeks gives breathing room for late K-1s without filing an extension.
What is the Richmond BPOL tax?
The Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) tax is a gross-receipts license fee levied by the City of Richmond and most Virginia localities. Rates vary by business classification (typically $0.20–$0.58 per $100 of gross receipts) and the return is due March 1 each year.
Does Virginia have a pass-through entity tax election?
Yes — Virginia's elective PTET allows partnerships and S-corps to pay a 5.75% entity-level tax on Virginia-source income, which is federally deductible and credited back to owners, preserving the federal SALT-cap workaround.