OCTIS vs bookkeeper vs CPA firm vs software for a Taiwan company
Who keeps the books, who signs the reserved work, and what the software does not do for you.
Last checked · 5 sources
Otty's short answer
Most small Taiwan companies pay a bookkeeper (記帳士) about NT$2,500 to NT$3,000 per month and file with them. A CPA is needed for work reserved to CPAs, such as capital verification and attestation, and bookkeepers cannot do it. Cloud software is cheap per month but, per one vendor's own warning, still needs a bookkeeper for business tax and annual income tax in most cases.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Bookkeeper (記帳士) | CPA firm (會計師事務所) | Cloud accounting software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee, limited or shares company | 10–30% below your current bill | NT$2,500 to NT$3,000 | Quote-based | From NT$700 (Digiwin A1) |
| Software from international vendors | Business OS with CRM, workflows and AI agents built in | Not applicable | Not applicable | Zoho Books US$0 to US$36 |
| Set-up fee, company | Hong Kong company: at least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee); government fees and first-year company secretary included | Not published (formation agents about NT$10,000 to NT$20,000 per Pro360) | Quote-based | Not published |
| Fee basis | 10–30% below your current bill | By invoice volume and trade | By scope | Per month, by plan |
| Annual convention | Hong Kong company: audited accounts every year | Often 14 months | Quote-based | 12 months |
| Keeps books and files business tax | Bookkeeping done by OCTIS, Hong Kong filings prepared. Taiwan business tax on Taiwan sales still applies | Yes | Yes, if engaged | Not on its own |
| Capital verification, attestation | Audit by an independent licensed auditor, coordinated by OCTIS | Not allowed | Yes, reserved work | No |
| Taiwan e-invoice and tax file formats | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Handled by firm | Handled by firm | Confirm with vendor |
| Best at | Company, accounts and CRM in one place | Routine monthly work | Audit, verification | Your own tracking |
| Tax rates to plan for | Profits tax 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, 16.5% above; no VAT/GST | VAT 5% | VAT 5% | VAT 5% |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want company, accounts and CRM in one place and your customers are in several countries.
Bookkeeper (記帳士)
Choose a bookkeeper if you want someone to keep the books, file business tax each period and the income tax return in May.
CPA firm (會計師事務所)
Choose a CPA firm if you need a capital verification, an attestation or tax advice a bookkeeper cannot sign.
Cloud accounting software
Choose cloud software if you want your own live view of the numbers, and still keep a bookkeeper for filings.
What the table does not show
What a bookkeeper costs and why 14 months
Pro360 reports about NT$2,000 to NT$6,000 per month for bookkeeping, and about NT$2,500 to NT$3,000 for limited and shares companies. Many firms charge the equivalent of 14 months a year, because they also close the year, handle the May corporate income tax filing and the January withholding filing. Import, export, manufacturing, construction and food trades cost more. Extra work such as an address change is billed separately.
Where a CPA is needed
Taiwan reserves some work to CPAs, including financial and tax attestation and capital verification. A bookkeeper cannot sign these. Under Article 7 of the Company Act a new company needs a CPA capital verification certificate at registration or within 30 days after, so most companies meet a CPA at set-up even if they use a bookkeeper afterwards. Published CPA fees were not found, so ask for quotes by scope. Ask the CPA what the quote covers.
Software helps, but does not file for you
The cloud tools compared by one local vendor start at NT$700 per month for Digiwin A1 cloud accounting, before 5% business tax, and US$0 to US$36 for Zoho Books. That source does not confirm Taiwan e-invoice or VAT filing support for any of them and tells buyers to check with each vendor. Treat the price as a bookkeeping tool, not a replacement for the filing service. The vendor also sells a competing product, so the comparison is not neutral.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not keep books or file tax in Taiwan. If your Malaysian or Hong Kong company owns a Taiwan entity, your Taiwan bookkeeper handles local filing and OCTIS keeps the home company's books and can consolidate the Taiwan statements. Send us your current bill for the home entity and we come in 10–30% off it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bookkeeper cost in Taiwan?
About NT$2,500 to NT$3,000 per month for a limited or shares company, according to Pro360, rising with invoice volume and for trades such as import and export. Many firms bill 14 months a year.
What is the difference between a 記帳士 and a 會計師?
A bookkeeper keeps books and files tax returns. A CPA does the work reserved by law, such as financial and tax attestation and capital verification, which a bookkeeper cannot do.
What tax rates apply to a Taiwan company?
DBS's market profile lists corporate income tax at 20% above NT$120,000 of taxable income, with the first NT$120,000 exempt, and 5% VAT for general industries. That is a simplified summary, so check the current income tax thresholds and any partial relief band with the tax bureau.
Can I use Xero or QuickBooks in Taiwan?
You can keep management books in them, but Taiwan filing formats and e-invoice support were not confirmed here. Ask the vendor and your bookkeeper whether the output matches what the tax bureau needs.
When is the corporate income tax return due?
Bookkeeping firms describe the corporate income tax filing as happening in May. Confirm the exact date with the tax bureau each year, because dates can shift.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.