Introduction
Finding a reliable Accountant / CA in Lagos is rarely just about “doing the books.” People typically need accurate tax compliance, clean financial reporting for investors or banks, payroll that won’t trigger penalties, and experienced guidance for growing a business in a fast-moving market.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for in a Lagos-based Accountant / CA, what services you can expect, realistic cost ranges, and how to shortlist the right professional for your exact needs (startup, SME, multinational, or personal finance).
This list is evaluated using experience signals, public reputation indicators, service breadth, and transparency. Where key details (like pricing, years, or review summaries) are not clearly published, they are marked as Not publicly stated to avoid guesswork. While the title references “Top 10,” only firms with strong, verifiable public presence were included—so this guide focuses on the Top 5.
About Accountant / CA
An Accountant / CA (Chartered Accountant) helps individuals and organisations record, organise, report, and interpret financial information. In practice, this can range from monthly bookkeeping and management accounts to tax planning, statutory filings, audit support, and advisory for business decisions.
You typically need an Accountant / CA in Lagos when you’re registering a company, setting up accounting systems, filing taxes (FIRS/LIRS), preparing for an audit, applying for financing, bidding for contracts, or trying to understand whether your business is truly profitable.
Average cost in Lagos (what to expect)
Pricing varies widely by complexity, urgency, and whether you’re hiring a sole practitioner or a large firm. Typical market ranges (often quoted as estimates, not fixed fees) may look like:
- Basic bookkeeping for small businesses: roughly ₦50,000–₦300,000/month (varies / depends)
- Tax compliance / returns support: roughly ₦50,000–₦500,000+ per filing cycle (varies / depends)
- Audit / assurance engagements: can run into seven figures for larger entities (varies / depends)
- CFO/advisory support: often quoted as a monthly retainer or project fee (varies / depends)
Licensing and certifications in Nigeria
“CA” usually refers to a Chartered Accountant. In Nigeria, professional credentials commonly include:
- ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)
- ANAN (Association of National Accountants of Nigeria)
Many reputable firms also have staff with international certifications (varies by firm and role), but you should verify the specific personnel assigned to your work—especially for statutory reporting, audits, or specialist tax advisory.
Key takeaways
- An Accountant / CA is most valuable when you need compliance + decision support, not just bookkeeping.
- Costs in Lagos can be affordable for basic needs but scale quickly for audits, restructurings, and complex tax work.
- Always verify professional membership (ICAN/ANAN) and confirm who will sign off on deliverables.
How We Selected the Best Accountant / CA in Lagos
We used a practical, buyer-focused checklist to shortlist firms that are widely known, established, and have verifiable public presence:
- Years of experience (where clearly stated; otherwise marked Not publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (publicly available only, where confidently known)
- Service range (tax, audit, accounting, advisory, payroll, compliance)
- Pricing transparency (published guidance or clear “quote-based” disclosure)
- Local reputation in Lagos (recognition, visibility, and corporate footprint)
Only publicly available information was considered when known. If a detail (like a phone number, pricing sheet, or review summary) could not be confidently confirmed, it is shown as Not publicly stated rather than assumed.
About Lagos
Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial hub, with high demand for accounting and compliance services driven by startups, SMEs, multinationals, logistics operators, professional services firms, and high-volume retail and trading businesses.
Because businesses often operate across the Mainland and Island—and may interact with banks, regulators, and tax authorities—many clients look for an Accountant / CA who can handle both day-to-day finance operations and formal reporting requirements.
Key neighborhoods commonly served
- Victoria Island
- Ikoyi
- Lekki
- Ikeja
- Surulere
- Yaba
- Apapa
- Ajah
- Gbagada
- Festac and surrounding Mainland areas
(Exact coverage varies by firm and engagement model.)
Top 5 Best Accountant / CA in Lagos
#1 — PwC Nigeria
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Audit & assurance, tax services, deals/advisory, risk assurance, business consulting (service scope varies by engagement)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (typically premium corporate pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.pwc.com/ng/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium; large companies, multinationals, regulated industries, complex reporting and advisory needs
#2 — KPMG Nigeria
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Audit, tax, advisory/consulting, risk & compliance support (varies by engagement and team)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (typically premium corporate pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): Not publicly stated
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium; corporate accounting, audit support, governance, and tax advisory for growing and established businesses
#3 — Deloitte Nigeria
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Audit & assurance, tax, consulting, financial advisory (offerings vary by office and engagement)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (typically premium corporate pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.deloitte.com/ng/en.html
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium; complex finance transformation, advisory-led engagements, and larger organisations
#4 — EY Nigeria
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Assurance, tax, consulting, strategy and transactions (varies by engagement)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (typically premium corporate pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.ey.com/en_ng
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium; companies needing structured assurance/tax support and transaction-oriented advisory
#5 — BDO Nigeria
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Audit & assurance, tax, advisory, accounting support (service menu varies by engagement)
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): Not publicly stated
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Mid-to-premium; businesses seeking structured professional services beyond a sole practitioner
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PwC Nigeria | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends (premium) | Large companies; complex audit/tax/advisory |
| KPMG Nigeria | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends (premium) | Corporate governance, audit and tax support |
| Deloitte Nigeria | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends (premium) | Advisory-led and complex finance needs |
| EY Nigeria | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends (premium) | Assurance, tax, and transaction support |
| BDO Nigeria | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Mid-to-premium structured accounting services |
Cost of Hiring a Accountant / CA in Lagos
In Lagos, the cost of hiring an Accountant / CA depends more on scope and risk than on hours alone. A simple bookkeeping retainer for a small business can be relatively affordable, while audit, statutory reporting, and complex tax advisory can quickly scale into higher budgets.
Average price range
- Entry-level bookkeeping/account support: often quoted from tens of thousands monthly (varies / depends)
- SME monthly retainers (bookkeeping + tax support): commonly quoted from low-to-mid hundreds of thousands monthly (varies / depends)
- Audit/assurance and high-stakes reporting: can range from mid six figures to several million naira depending on entity size and complexity (varies / depends)
Emergency pricing (if applicable)
True “24/7” accounting is uncommon, but urgent deliverables (e.g., last-minute tax filings, bank request turnarounds, investor due diligence deadlines) may attract:
- Express fees
- Weekend/public holiday work charges
- Higher senior-staff involvement (increasing cost)
What affects cost
Key pricing factors typically include:
- Business size (transaction volume, staff count, number of bank accounts)
- Quality of existing records (clean books vs. backlog cleanup)
- Scope (bookkeeping only vs. tax, payroll, audit support, advisory)
- Reporting standards required (management accounts vs. formal/statutory reporting)
- Industry risk and compliance needs (regulated sectors often cost more)
- Turnaround time and deadline pressure
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Accountant / CA cost in Lagos?
It varies by scope. Basic monthly bookkeeping can be priced as a retainer, while audit and complex tax advisory can cost significantly more. Ask for a written quote based on your transaction volume and reporting needs.
How to choose the best Accountant / CA in Lagos?
Start with credential verification (ICAN/ANAN), then assess relevant experience in your industry. Request a clear scope, timelines, deliverables, and who will review/sign off on the work.
Are licenses required in Lagos?
For “CA” work, professional qualification is typically through ICAN or ANAN, depending on the role and engagement. For regulated work (like statutory audits), confirm the firm’s eligibility and who will sign the report.
What documents should I prepare before meeting an Accountant / CA?
Commonly requested items include bank statements, invoices/receipts, expense records, payroll details, existing financial statements, and tax history. If you have accounting software access, prepare user access and exports.
Can an Accountant / CA help with Lagos State taxes and FIRS taxes?
Many firms support compliance across multiple tax touchpoints, including federal and state requirements. Confirm upfront whether they handle filings, correspondence, and any follow-up queries.
Do I need a big firm or a smaller practice?
Choose a big firm for complex audits, investor reporting, cross-border structures, and large-company governance. Smaller practices can be a better fit for straightforward bookkeeping, routine tax filing, and hands-on support—pricing may also be more flexible.
Who offers 24/7 service in Lagos?
Most accounting services operate during business hours, with extended availability during deadlines. If you need urgent turnaround, ask whether they offer weekend support and whether express fees apply.
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and a Chartered Accountant service?
Bookkeeping focuses on recording transactions and keeping ledgers tidy. A Chartered Accountant service typically includes higher-level reporting, compliance, tax planning, controls, and advisory—especially where sign-off and professional accountability matter.
How do I verify an Accountant / CA’s credentials?
Ask for ICAN/ANAN membership details and confirm who will be responsible for review/sign-off. You can also request references from similar businesses (where appropriate and available).
Should I pay monthly retainer or per project?
Retainers work best for ongoing bookkeeping, payroll, and recurring tax tasks. Project pricing is better for one-off needs like backlog clean-up, due diligence, audit preparation, or system setup—choose what matches your workflow.
Final Recommendation
If you’re a large business, multinational, regulated company, or you need complex audit/tax/advisory, start with PwC Nigeria, KPMG Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria, or EY Nigeria. These firms are typically best suited for structured engagements, higher compliance stakes, and multi-team delivery—pricing usually reflects that.
If you want a mid-to-premium alternative with structured professional services, BDO Nigeria can be worth considering. For cost-sensitive microbusiness needs (basic bookkeeping and routine filings), you may also consider a qualified local Accountant / CA—just ensure credentials, scope clarity, and deliverable timelines are documented.
Get Your Business Listed
Are you an Accountant / CA in Lagos and want your details added or updated in this guide? Email contact@professnow.com with your verified business information and official website. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/