What does practice management software cost a small accounting firm? Per-user vs per-firm pricing
The listed price is per user for most tools. Multiply before you compare.
| Prices checked | October 2026, from public listings (sources below) |
|---|---|
| Pricing model of most vendors | Per user |
| BytesHood pricing model | Per firm: Single (1 seat) or Firm (3 seats included, extra seats $100/year or $15/month) |
| Not included in these figures | Sales tax, payment processing fees, paid add-ons, multi-year discounts |
First-year cost by firm size
The table multiplies each entry plan’s published price by the number of staff and by 12 months where the price is monthly. BytesHood figures use the current First-Year Introductory Pricing on the annual plans: Single for one person, Firm for three or more. Financial Cents also lists a Solo plan for one user at $19 a month ($228 a year), not shown in the table.
First-year savings with BytesHood vs the next-lowest plan in this table
| Product (entry plan) | Listed price | 1 staff | 3 staff | 5 staff | 10 staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BytesHoodSingle or Firm, annual | Single $500/year, 1 seat; Firm $800/year, 3 seats incl. | $500 | $800Lowest | $1,000Lowest | $1,500Lowest |
| Financial Cents (Team) | $49/user/month | $588 | $1,764 | $2,940 | $5,880 |
| Karbon (Team) | $59/user/month, billed annually | $708 | $2,124 | $3,540 | $7,080 |
| TaxDome (Essentials) | $800/user/year | $800 | $2,400 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Canopy (Standard) | $74/user/month, billed annually | $888 | $2,664 | $4,440 | $8,880 |
After the first year BytesHood’s Single plan is $600 per year and the Firm plan $1,000 per year with the same 3 seats, so a solo practitioner pays $600, a 3-person firm $1,000, a 5-person firm $1,200 and a 10-person firm $1,700. For a solo practitioner who only needs workflow and billing, a low single-user plan such as Financial Cents Solo ($19 a month) costs less; BytesHood Single also includes sales tax, payroll tax and notice tracking.
Why per-user pricing adds up
Per-user pricing is simple, but every hire and every seasonal preparer adds a full seat. Firms that bring on extra staff in tax season should check whether the vendor offers monthly or seasonal seats, and whether annual prepayment is required.
Compare what the price includes, not just the price
These products are not identical. Some include e-signature, payments or tax resolution only on higher plans or as add-ons. BytesHood includes client sales tax tracking, payroll tax deposit tracking and tax notice tracking in every subscription; the per-user tools above focus on workflow, client portals and billing. Make a list of the work you need covered, then price the plan that covers it.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is the price per user or per firm, and how many seats are included?
- Is annual prepayment required? Is there a monthly option?
- Which features cost extra?
- What does the price become after any introductory period?
- Can we export our data if we leave?
Frequently asked questions
Is per-firm pricing always cheaper?
No. For one person, a low-priced per-user plan can cost less. Per-firm pricing with included seats tends to cost less as the team grows.
Does BytesHood have a plan for one person?
Yes. The Single plan includes all six systems for one staff seat: $45 a month or $500 for the first year, then $50 a month or $600 a year.
Do these prices include sales tax?
No. Sales tax, where it applies, and payment processing fees are extra for every vendor.
Where do these prices come from?
From the public listings linked below, checked in October 2026. Vendors change prices; confirm with each vendor before deciding.