Cost of Accounting Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2026 Price Guide)
From 100 BAM for a sole trader to 1,500 BAM for larger companies: what drives accounting fees in Bosnia, what must be included and how to compare offers.
"How much will accounting cost me in Bosnia?" is usually the second question foreign founders ask, right after "how do I register the company?". The honest answer: the cost of accounting services in Bosnia and Herzegovina ranges from about 100 BAM (roughly 50 EUR) per month for a simple sole trader to 1,500 BAM and more for larger companies. This guide breaks down what drives the price, what is typically included, and how to compare offers without unpleasant surprises.
Typical Prices for Accounting Services in Bosnia
Indicative monthly fees charged by accounting companies in Sarajevo and across Bosnia and Herzegovina:
| Business size | Indicative monthly fee |
|---|---|
| Sole trader (obrt) | 100 to 200 BAM (50 to 100 EUR) |
| Small d.o.o. (up to 5 employees) | 200 to 500 BAM (100 to 255 EUR) |
| Medium d.o.o. (5 to 20 employees) | 500 to 1,500 BAM (255 to 770 EUR) |
| Larger companies and groups | By agreement |
By regional and EU standards these fees are low: full-service bookkeeping, payroll and tax compliance in Bosnia typically costs a fraction of what the same scope costs in Austria, Germany or Croatia.
What Drives the Price
Four factors decide where in the range your company lands:
- Transaction volume. The number of incoming and outgoing invoices is the single biggest cost driver. A consulting firm with ten invoices a month is not the same workload as a retailer with a thousand fiscal receipts.
- Headcount. Every employee means monthly payroll, contributions and the MIP-1023 filing in FBiH. Payroll is often priced per employee.
- VAT status. VAT-registered companies file monthly returns and keep KUF and KIF records, which adds recurring monthly work. Registration is mandatory above 100,000 BAM of annual turnover.
- Industry specifics. Retail, hospitality, construction and import-export require more records (inventory, project accounting, customs documents) than simple service businesses.
What Should Be Included in the Fee
A serious offer for monthly accounting services should include:
- bookkeeping of all documents (invoices, bank statements, cash)
- VAT calculation and electronic filing with the ITA
- payroll with payslips and MIP-1023 filings
- annual financial statements and corporate income tax return
- basic tax advisory and deadline monitoring
Ask explicitly what costs extra. Common add-ons are company formation support, audit preparation, business plans and representation during tax inspections. A transparent agency will tell you upfront; a cheap headline price with everything "extra" usually ends up more expensive.
In-House Accountant vs. Accounting Company
For most small and medium businesses in Bosnia, outsourcing wins on cost alone. An in-house accountant's gross salary plus employer contributions quickly exceeds 2,000 BAM per month, several times the typical agency fee, and you get one person instead of a team. An in-house hire starts making sense at roughly 50+ employees or with unusually complex operations.
There is a second, less obvious argument: continuity. An agency does not take sick leave or resign in the middle of the reporting season.
Tips for Foreign Companies
If you are a foreign founder comparing offers for accounting services in Bosnia:
- Ask for reporting in English. Not every agency provides it; for foreign-owned companies it is essential for the HQ, banks and auditors.
- Check licences. Work with agencies whose staff include certified accountants; a licensed auditor on the team is a plus, because your books are then kept audit-ready.
- Confirm digital document exchange. You should be able to run a Bosnian company entirely remotely: documents by e-mail or cloud, filings done electronically.
- Agree the price in writing with a defined scope, so growth in volume is repriced predictably instead of surprising you.
More about how we support foreign clients: accounting services in Bosnia for foreign companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get accounting in Bosnia? A simple non-VAT sole trader with no employees can get full service from about 100 BAM per month. The price rises with VAT registration and the first employees.
Are there hidden costs? With a good agency, no. Clarify in advance what counts as extra work: annual statements, audit support, additional filings and inspections are the usual candidates.
Can the fee change during the year? It should change only when your volume changes, for example when you hire staff or enter the VAT system. A written scope protects both sides.
How do I start? Send an outline of your business: activity, expected invoices per month, number of employees and VAT status. Any serious agency, ENS included, will return a firm quote within a day or two.
Accounting in Bosnia is affordable, but the cheapest offer is rarely the best one. Pick a partner who is licensed, responsive and transparent about scope. Contact ENS for a free consultation and a concrete quote for your company.
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