What does an accountant (revisor) cost for a small business?

Typical accountant prices

• Hourly rate, registered or state-authorised accountant: typically DKK 1,000–2,000
• Annual report for a small ApS without audit: often DKK 8,000–25,000
• Extended review or audit: substantially more — typically from DKK 25,000 and up
• Ongoing bookkeeping at an accountancy firm: often the same hourly rate — expensive for routine work

Do you even need an audit?

Most small companies don't. An ApS can opt out of audit if it stays below two of three thresholds for two consecutive years: DKK 8 million net revenue, DKK 4 million balance sheet and 12 full-time employees. Sole proprietorships are never audit-obliged.

Without an audit obligation, the real question is: who keeps your books during the year, and who prepares the annual report? That doesn't have to be an accountant.

Accountant or bookkeeper — the difference

The bookkeeper does the ongoing work: bookkeeping, bank reconciliation and VAT filing. The accountant audits and signs off accounts — small businesses typically only need one for the annual report or specific advice. A bookkeeper charges around DKK 400–700 per hour against the accountant's 1,000–2,000.

If you're paying accountant rates to get receipts posted, you're overpaying.

What you pay at Numina

At Numina, ongoing bookkeeping, VAT filing and the accounting software are bundled into one fixed monthly price from DKK 399 — and the annual report is a fixed-price add-on, including filing with the Business Authority and the Tax Agency. See all prices on the homepage and calculate your savings in 2 minutes.

The terms behind it, briefly explained

Finally a quick glossary of the terms from this article — brief and concrete, the way we explain them to our customers.

What is a revisor (auditor)?

A revisor is an accountant/auditor who audits and signs off financial statements and advises on tax. Auditors typically charge DKK 1,000–2,000 per hour, and only larger companies are required to use one.

Small ApS companies can usually opt out of audit, and sole proprietorships never have an audit duty — so for many, a bookkeeper covers the day-to-day.

What is revision (audit)?

Revision is an auditor's independent check of an annual report, ending in an audit opinion. It's only mandatory for companies above certain thresholds — two of three, two years running: DKK 8 million revenue, DKK 4 million balance sheet and 12 employees.

Below the thresholds you can opt out of audit in the articles of association and simply have the annual report prepared — significantly cheaper.

What is revisionspligt (audit requirement)?

Revisionspligt is the duty to have the annual report audited by an approved auditor. Small companies can opt out if they stay under two of three limits for two consecutive years: DKK 8 million in revenue, DKK 4 million in balance sheet total and 12 employees.

Opting out is decided at a general meeting and must be stated in the annual report. Sole proprietorships are never subject to audit. Remember that audit only concerns the annual report — bookkeeping, VAT and tax still need to be in order for every business.