OCTIS vs accounting firm vs online bookkeeping service in Malaysia

Published bookkeeping fees from one accounting firm and two online providers, side by side.

Last checked 9 November 2026 · 9 sources

Otty's short answer

Online providers publish lower monthly bookkeeping prices: from RM300 (Ollie) and RM400 (Altomate), against from RM900 at 3E Accounting, a traditional firm. The gap narrows once you add software, tax and audit coordination. An accounting firm fits businesses that want one office for audit, tax and advice. Online suits simple, transaction-light companies that are comfortable with software.

Side by side

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What matters	OCTISSdn Bhd + OCTIS	3E Accounting	Altomate	Ollie by FoundingBird
Monthly bookkeeping, active	10–30% below your current bill	From RM900	From RM400, plus 8% SST	From RM300, excl. SST
Yearly bookkeeping, active	10–30% below your current bill	From RM1,500	Semi-active from RM1,200	Not published
How the price is set	Quoted against your current bill	From price by scope	Monthly sales band	Quote per company
Accounting software	CRM, workflow and accounts in one Business OS	Free cloud software with secretary	Xero, QuickBooks or Bukku included	Own cloud platform
Monthly management accounts	Included	Not stated	Full set included	Included
Talk to your accountant	OCTIS accountants and AI agents in one workspace	Book appointment, KL office	Team via platform	Chat with accountant
MyInvois integration	e-Invoice setup by OCTIS accountants	Not stated	Offered, quote by volume	Not stated
SST filing	Handled by OCTIS accountants	E-filing free in package	Not stated	Not stated
Audit and tax from same group	Tax by OCTIS accountants; audit by an independent licensed auditor, coordinated by OCTIS	Yes, audit and tax	Tax yes, audit not listed	Audit and tax service listed
Professional registration	Licensed professionals check the books	Firm registered with MIA	Secretaries in MACS	Licensed accountants stated

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 · Sdn Bhd + OCTIS
Choose OCTIS if you want bookkeeping, tax, e-Invoice and payroll filings from one team, with CRM, workflow automation and AI agents in the same workspace.
3E Accounting
Choose 3E Accounting if you want a traditional firm under one roof for books, tax and audit, a physical office to visit and published fixed packages.
Altomate
Choose Altomate if you want a turnover-based monthly fee, software included in the price and one app for secretary, bookkeeping and payroll.
Ollie by FoundingBird
Choose Ollie if you want the lowest published starting fee and prefer to message an accountant, with audit and tax available in the same group.

What the table does not show

Why the headline prices differ

3E Accounting lists monthly bookkeeping for an active company from RM900, yearly bookkeeping from RM1,500 and dormant companies from RM500, all subject to service tax. Altomate advertises bookkeeping from RM400 a month and sets the final fee by monthly sales turnover, closing frequency and software. Ollie starts from RM300 a month excluding SST and quotes by company. A From price is not a quote: transaction volume, number of bank accounts and backlog all move the figure.

What you still must do

Bookkeeping is not an audit. A Sdn Bhd still files an annual return and financial statements with SSM, and must appoint an auditor unless it qualifies for exemption. Under the phased criteria from 2025, a private company needs two of three: income, assets and staff under thresholds that rise from RM1 million and 10 staff in 2025 to RM3 million and 30 staff in 2027. Dormant companies are also exempt. Check the SSM rules, then ask the provider whether audit coordination and tax filing are inside the fee or billed separately.

When a traditional firm still makes sense

A firm with partners and an office can sit with you on a bank loan, a tax audit letter or a restructuring. 3E notes its firm registration with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and runs audit, tax and secretarial in one place. Online providers win on price, software and speed for routine work. If your books are messy, or you have stock, payroll and multiple entities, start with a scoped quote from either type and compare the full year, not the monthly figure.

Where OCTIS fits

OCTIS covers bookkeeping, tax filing and audit coordination with an independent licensed auditor under one team, so you do not manage three vendors. OCTIS does not replace the statutory audit, which stays with the licensed auditor. Share your current accountant's invoice and ask for a quote: OCTIS aims for 10% to 30% off your current bill. A built-in CRM is also included.

See OCTIS pricing

Frequently asked questions

How much does bookkeeping cost for a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?

Published starting prices for an active company run from RM300 a month (Ollie, excluding SST) to RM400 (Altomate) to RM900 (3E Accounting). Dormant companies cost less, from RM500 to RM600 a year. Real fees depend on transactions, bank accounts and how late the books are.

Is an online bookkeeper as good as an accounting firm?

For routine bookkeeping, often yes, if the provider reconciles banks monthly and gives management accounts. For audit, complex tax or a bank loan file, a firm with registered accountants may be easier to work with. Ask who signs the accounts and which professional body they belong to.

Do I need an accountant for a dormant company?

A dormant company still files an annual return and financial statements with SSM. Dormant bookkeeping packages start at RM500 a year at 3E and RM600 a year at Altomate. Companies dormant since incorporation, or in the past and current financial year, can be exempt from audit.

Does bookkeeping include tax filing and audit?

Not by default. The packages read for this guide price bookkeeping separately from tax and audit. 3E and Ollie list audit and tax as separate services, and Altomate lists tax advisory and compliance separately. Ask for a single quote that covers bookkeeping, tax filing and audit coordination for the whole year.

Sources

Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.