Accountants Labour Cost Calculator
Estimate the fully loaded labour cost of accounting staff using pay rates, working hours, employer costs, benefits and overheads.
Overview
This Accountants Labour Cost Calculator estimates the all-in cost of employing an accounting team. Enter the number of accountants, their average hourly pay, paid hours, employer on-costs, benefits and allocated overhead to see annual, monthly and hourly costs.
How it works
The calculator first estimates annual gross pay by multiplying the hourly pay rate by paid hours per week and paid weeks per year. It then adds employer on-costs, annual benefits and allocated overhead to calculate a fully loaded annual cost per accountant. Multiplying that figure by the team size gives the total annual labour cost. The monthly figure divides the annual total by 12, while the loaded hourly cost divides the all-in annual cost by annual paid hours.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the number of accountants you want to cost.
- 2Add the average gross hourly pay rate.
- 3Enter paid hours per week and paid weeks per year.
- 4Add employer on-costs as a percentage of gross pay.
- 5Include annual benefits and overhead allocated to each accountant.
- 6Review the estimated team cost and fully loaded hourly rate.
Example Calculation
Number of accountants
3
Average hourly pay rate
$30
Hours worked per week
37.5
Paid weeks per year
52
Employer on-costs
15%
Annual benefits per accountant
$1,500
Annual overhead per accountant
$4,000
Total annual labour cost
$218,325
For three accountants paid an average of 30 per hour, the estimated fully loaded team cost is 214,987.50 per year, or about 17,916 per month. The all-in cost is approximately 36.75 per paid hour for each accountant.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in an accountant's labour cost?
Labour cost can include gross pay, employer payroll costs, pension or benefit costs, training, equipment, software, office space and other allocated overhead.
What are employer on-costs?
Employer on-costs are costs paid in addition to gross wages, such as employer payroll taxes, social contributions, pension contributions and employment insurance where applicable.
How do I calculate the fully loaded hourly cost of an accountant?
Add annual gross pay, employer on-costs, benefits and allocated overhead, then divide the result by the accountant's paid annual working hours.
Should I include accounting software and office costs?
If you want an all-in staffing estimate, include a reasonable annual share of software, equipment, office space and support costs in the overhead field.
Does this calculator include recruitment or temporary cover costs?
No. Those costs are not included unless you add them to the annual overhead amount. You may want to estimate them separately for workforce planning.
Can I use this calculator for outsourced accountants?
It is designed for employee costs. For outsourced staff, use the supplier's hourly or contract rate and add only internal oversight costs that are relevant.
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Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- All accountants have the same average hourly pay rate, working hours, benefits and allocated overhead.
- Employer on-costs are calculated as a percentage of gross pay.
- Annual costs are spread evenly across 12 months for the monthly estimate.
- The calculation includes only the cost categories entered and is an estimate, not an exact payroll forecast.
Warnings
- This calculator provides an estimate only and is not financial, tax or employment advice.
- Actual employment costs can vary with payroll rules, contracts, leave, bonuses, recruitment costs and local requirements.