The 10 Best Accounting Franchises of 2024 in the USA
If you’re considering entering the accounting industry, investing in an accounting franchise can be a highly rewarding option. However, with so many accounting franchises available, it can be challenging to decide which one best aligns with your goals and expertise.
Each franchise offers unique benefits, including specialized services, varying levels of support and training, and diverse market reach, making them suitable for both experienced professionals and newcomers to the industry.
For each franchise, we’ll provide essential financial details, such as the average initial investment cost and the number of franchises today.
The Best Accounting Franchises of 2024
Franchise | Franchising Since | Locations* | Initial Investment |
---|---|---|---|
H&R Block | 1956 | 2,339 | $32,000 – $158,000 |
Liberty Tax Service | 1973 | 1,813 | $42,000 – $61,000 |
Padgett Business Services | 1975 | 166 | $60,000 – $101,000 |
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service | 1986 | 3,092 | $96,000 – $128,000 |
Toro Taxes | 2015 | 181 | $18,000 – $79,000 |
Supporting Strategies | 2013 | 98 | $75,000 – $98,000 |
ATAX | 2007 | 111 | $59,000 – $79,000 |
Paramount Tax & Accounting | 2018 | 54 | $72,000 – $157,000 |
Payroll Vault | 2012 | 54 | $77,000 – $112,000 |
H&R Block
Franchising Since: 1956
Franchised Units: 2,339
Initial Investment: $32,000 - $158,000
Franchise Fee: $2,500
Royalty Fee: 60% of the first $5,000
H&R Block is a prominent tax services franchise founded in 1955 by Henry and Richard Bloch. The company began franchising in 1956, with its first locations in New York.
Today, it is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has grown into a global brand, serving millions of clients with tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and financial advisory services.
H&R Block stands out for combining human expertise with advanced technology, such as its integration of IBM Watson, to offer personalized and efficient tax solutions. This innovation, along with its decades of experience, has helped H&R Block maintain its position as a leader in the tax industry.
Liberty Tax Service
Franchising Since: 1973
Franchised Units: 1,813
Initial Investment: $42,000 - $61,000
Franchise Fee: $15,000
Royalty Fee: 9% - 14%
Liberty Tax Service was founded in 1997 by John Hewitt after acquiring a Canadian tax preparation company, U&R Tax Depot. The following year, it expanded into the United States and rapidly grew, becoming one of the largest tax preparation franchises in North America.
Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Liberty Tax has since developed a strong presence with over 2,200 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Liberty Tax provides personal and small business tax preparation services, while also offering additional financial products like bookkeeping and tax debt resolution. It has transitioned from a seasonal tax-only model to a year-round service provider, helping clients manage their finances throughout the year.
Padgett Business Services
Franchising Since: 1975
Franchised Units: 166
Initial Investment: $60,000 - $101,000
Franchise Fee: $37,000
Royalty Fee: 9.00%
Padgett Business Services was founded in 1965 and began franchising in 1975. Headquartered in Athens, Georgia, the company specializes in tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll, and business consulting for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
With over 300 offices across the U.S. and Canada, Padgett provides franchisees with robust support, including training, marketing, and continuous education.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Franchising Since: 1986
Franchised Units: 3,092
Initial Investment: $96,000 - $128,000
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty Fee: 3.0% - 15.0%
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is a prominent tax preparation franchise, founded in 1982.
Headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, it operates nearly 6,000 locations nationwide, including over 3,000 within Walmart stores. 3,000 of them are franchise-owned.
The franchise offers comprehensive tax services to individuals and small businesses, aiming to provide accessible and affordable solutions for tax preparation.
Jackson Hewitt began franchising in the early 1990s and has since grown into one of the largest tax service companies in the United States.
The franchise has built strong partnerships, particularly with Walmart, to enhance its market presence and reach a wider customer base.
Toro Taxes
Franchising Since: 2015
Franchised Units: 181
Initial Investment: $18,000 - $79,000
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fee: 10.00%
Toro Taxes is a tax preparation franchise that was founded in 2014 and started franchising in 2017.
It specializes in providing professional tax services, including individual and business tax preparation, bookkeeping, and financial services.
Toro Taxes targets the Hispanic community and offers bilingual services to meet the needs of its clientele. With a focus on affordable and reliable tax solutions, it has grown steadily across the U.S. since its launch.
Supporting Strategies
Franchising Since: 2013
Franchised Units: 98
Initial Investment: $75,000 - $98,000
Franchise Fee: $60,000
Royalty Fee: 10.00%
Supporting Strategies is a bookkeeping and operational support franchise that was founded in 2004 and began franchising in 2013.
It provides outsourced bookkeeping services, controller services, and operational support to small businesses.
Since starting its franchise program, the brand has expanded its reach across the U.S., focusing on helping small and medium-sized businesses with their bookkeeping and operational needs.
ATAX
Franchising Since: 2007
Franchised Units: 111
Initial Investment: $59,000 - $79,000
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Royalty Fee: 14.00%
ATAX is a tax preparation and business services franchise that was founded in 1986 by Rafael Alvarez in New York.
It began franchising in 2007 and has since grown across the U.S., targeting the Hispanic community with bilingual tax services.
In addition to tax preparation, ATAX offers bookkeeping and payroll services to both individuals and businesses.
Acquired by Loyalty Brands in 2018, ATAX has continued its expansion, leveraging strong leadership from John Hewitt, founder of Liberty Tax and Jackson Hewitt.
Paramount Tax & Accounting
Franchising Since: 2018
Franchised Units: 54
Initial Investment: $72,000 - $157,000
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fee: 10.0%
Paramount Tax & Accounting is a franchise that specializes in tax preparation and financial services, serving individuals and small to medium-sized businesses.
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Florida, Paramount Tax offers franchise opportunities that focus on providing comprehensive services, including tax planning and bookkeeping.
The franchise began franchising in 2018 and has since grown to 54 locations.
Payroll Vault
Franchising Since: 2012
Franchised Units: 54
Initial Investment: $77,000 - $112,000
Franchise Fee: $68,500
Royalty Fee: 6.00%
Payroll Vault, founded in 2008, provides specialized payroll services tailored for small businesses. The company started franchising in 2012, offering a flexible, low-cost opportunity for entrepreneurs.
Based in Littleton, Colorado, Payroll Vault stands out by delivering personalized, boutique-style payroll services, which differentiate it from larger competitors by focusing on customer care and real-time solutions.
The franchise requires minimal overhead, operates remotely, and does not need a physical office, making it ideal for business owners seeking flexibility.
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