From Receipts to Reports—What You Need to Know Before You Hire

In Kenya, finance and accounting services are the backbone of sustainable growth. Whether you’re managing a short-stay listing in Syokimau, running a SACCO in Machakos, or scaling a digital startup in Nairobi, verified accountants and finance pros ensure your books are clean, your taxes are filed, and your business is ready to grow. This guide breaks down real costs, service types, regional trends, and how to hire trusted professionals through Balozy.

đź’° National Snapshot: Finance & Accounting Costs in Kenya (2025)

Service Type Cost Range (KES) Notes
Bookkeeping (monthly) 3,000–15,000 Based on volume and complexity
Payroll Processing (per employee) 300–1,000/month Includes NHIF, NSSF, PAYE filing
Tax Filing (individual) 1,000–5,000 KRA returns, iTax support
Tax Filing (business) 5,000–30,000+ Includes VAT, PAYE, income tax
Audit & Assurance 30,000–200,000+ Required for NGOs, SACCOs, Ltd.
Financial Statements Preparation 10,000–50,000 Includes P&L, balance sheet, cash flow
Business Registration 3,000–15,000 Includes name search, eCitizen filing
Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) 2,000–10,000 Includes KRA portal support
Budgeting & Forecasting 5,000–30,000 Includes cash flow projections
Financial Advisory & Strategy 10,000–100,000+ Includes fundraising, valuation
Outsourced CFO Services 30,000–200,000/month Ideal for startups, SMEs
QuickBooks/Xero Setup & Training 5,000–25,000 Includes software, chart of accounts
SACCO Accounting & Compliance 20,000–100,000+ Includes audit, member statements
NGO Financial Reporting 30,000–150,000+ Donor-ready reports, compliance
Estate/Property Accounting 5,000–30,000/month Includes rent tracking, expenses

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🏙️ City-by-City Breakdown

1. Nairobi

Kenya’s financial capital—home to startups, NGOs, and high-volume bookkeeping needs.

  • Bookkeeping (e.g., Westlands, CBD):
    • KSh 5,000–15,000/month
    • Includes reconciliations, ledgers, reports
  • Tax Filing (business):
    • KSh 10,000–30,000+
    • Includes VAT, PAYE, income tax, iTax support
  • Outsourced CFO Services:
    • KSh 50,000–200,000/month
    • Includes board reporting, fundraising support

Balozy Tip: Nairobi accountants often offer WhatsApp-based reporting—perfect for busy founders and estate managers.

2. Machakos

Affordable and responsive—Machakos finance pros serve estates, SACCOs, and short-stay hosts.

  • Payroll Processing (e.g., Syokimau, Mlolongo):
    • KSh 300–800/employee/month
    • Includes NHIF, NSSF, PAYE filing
  • SACCO Accounting & Audit:
    • KSh 20,000–80,000
    • Includes member statements, compliance
  • Business Registration:
    • KSh 3,000–10,000
    • Includes name search, KRA PIN, eCitizen

Balozy Tip: Many Machakos accountants offer estate-wide packages—great for gated communities and SACCOs.

3. Mombasa

Coastal finance blends tourism, real estate, and hospitality-focused accounting.

  • Property Accounting (e.g., Nyali, Bamburi):
    • KSh 5,000–25,000/month
    • Includes rent tracking, expenses, reports
  • NGO Financial Reporting:
    • KSh 30,000–100,000+
    • Includes donor-ready formats and audits
  • QuickBooks/Xero Setup:
    • KSh 5,000–20,000
    • Includes training and cloud setup

Balozy Tip: Ask for coastal-experienced accountants—tourism and real estate have unique tax and cash flow needs.

4. Kisumu

Lake-side finance focuses on SACCOs, cultural events, and guest-ready compliance.

  • Bookkeeping (e.g., Milimani, Manyatta):
    • KSh 3,000–10,000/month
    • Includes reconciliations and reports
  • Tax Filing (individual):
    • KSh 1,000–3,000
    • Includes KRA returns and iTax support
  • Audit & Assurance:
    • KSh 30,000–100,000+
    • Ideal for SACCOs, NGOs, and schools

Balozy Tip: Ask for Luo-speaking finance pros—perfect for SACCOs, churches, and cultural organizations.

5. Eldoret

Known for agribusiness, schools, and farm-friendly financial setups.

  • Budgeting & Forecasting:
    • KSh 5,000–20,000
    • Includes seasonal cash flow planning
  • Payroll Processing:
    • KSh 300–700/employee/month
    • Includes NHIF, NSSF, PAYE
  • Audit & Compliance:
    • KSh 30,000–80,000
    • Ideal for schools, cooperatives, and NGOs

Balozy Tip: Eldoret accountants often offer generator-friendly setups—ask for rural packages and travel rates.

📊 What’s Included in Finance & Accounting Services?

Service Element Included? Notes
Monthly Bookkeeping âś… Ledgers, reconciliations, reports
Payroll & Statutory Filing âś… NHIF, NSSF, PAYE, returns
Tax Filing & Compliance âś… iTax, VAT, income tax
Financial Statements âś… P&L, balance sheet, cash flow
Audit & Assurance ✅/❌ Optional or required by law
Business Registration âś… eCitizen, KRA PIN, name search
Software Setup ✅/❌ QuickBooks, Xero, Wave
WhatsApp Reporting âś… Available for verified pros
Advisory & Strategy ✅/❌ Optional for growth-stage businesses
Safety & Compliance âś… Verified accountants only

Balozy Tip: Always confirm scope, deliverables, and tax deadlines before booking.

🧠 What Affects Finance & Accounting Costs?

âś… Business Size & Volume

  • More transactions = higher bookkeeping fees
  • Payroll costs scale with employee count

âś… Location

  • Nairobi and Mombasa rates are higher
  • Transport to rural areas adds KSh 500–2,000

âś… Compliance Needs

  • NGOs, SACCOs, and Ltd. companies require audits
  • Short-stay hosts may need property tax support

âś… Software & Tools

  • Cloud-based tools (QuickBooks, Xero) may add setup fees
  • Manual systems are cheaper but slower

âś… Advisory Scope

  • Strategy, fundraising, and CFO services cost more than basic bookkeeping

đź’ˇ Smart Ways to Save on Finance & Accounting

  1. Use Verified Balozy Professionals: Compare ratings, portfolios, and tax experience
  2. Bundle Services: Combine bookkeeping, payroll, and tax filing for discounts
  3. Choose Local Talent: Hiring within your county reduces transport fees
  4. Use Cloud Tools: QuickBooks and Xero reduce manual errors and speed up reporting
  5. Ask for WhatsApp Estimates: Avoid surprises with clear scope and pricing