Introduction

This report presents a definitive analysis of fee and compensation structures for the public accounting profession in Colombia through 2025. Its objective is to provide practitioners, their clients, and firms with a nuanced understanding of how fees are determined, market dictates, and the regulatory costs inherent to professional practice.

The accounting profession in Colombia operates under a dual framework: on the one hand, a non-binding, legacy suggested professional fee guide issued by the Technical Council of Public Accounting (CTCP); and on the other, a set of mandatory administrative fees established by the Central Board of Accountants (JCC). This official guidance coexists in stark contrast with market-driven salary benchmarks and anecdotal evidence of significant price competition, creating a complex landscape that professionals must navigate.

The report will begin by breaking down the CTCP's suggested fee schedule, followed by an analysis of strategic factors for fee customization based on law and professional judgment. These figures will then be compared with real-world salary data to expose the gap between the suggested fee schedule and market reality. Finally, the JCC's mandatory fees will be detailed, providing a complete picture of the costs associated with practicing law.

Context and Reference Source

The primary reference source for suggested professional fees in Colombia is not a new or annually updated regulation, but rather a "professional guideline" originally issued by the Technical Council of Public Accounting (CTCP) in 2009.¹ The values circulating in the market are, in fact, an update of this original guide, prepared by specialized portals such as Actualícese and Siempre Al Día, applying the current year's Legal Minimum Monthly Wage (SMMLV). For 2025, the SMMLV has been set at $1,423,500 COP.²

It is essential to emphasize the official position of the CTCP, which has consistently stated that it is not within its scope to define mandatory rates for accounting services.¹ Therefore, this table should be understood as a reference point and a guiding tool, not as a mandatory rule. The relationship between an accountant and his or her client is considered a strictly contractual matter, where the parties freely agree on the terms.⁴

The persistence of this 2009 guide, updated solely through an arithmetic calculation of the SMMLV, reveals a particular market dynamic. The absence of new official guidance from the regulatory body for over a decade has created a void that the market is trying to fill. The continued reference to this guide by industry publications demonstrates a latent need for a standardized benchmark, however obsolete its underlying methodology. However, this reliance on a non-binding, outdated document establishes a weak price floor. It gives the appearance of an official pricing structure without any enforcement mechanism, which would encourage competition based on price rather than value, a factor that directly contributes to the problems of undervaluation of professional work observed in the market.⁵

1) CTCP Guidance Guide

Values 2025

Based on the SMMLV of 2025 ($1.423.500), the CTCP table serves as a reference. It is not mandatory, but it is useful for negotiation.

2) Legal framework: Law 43 of 1990

Factors to take into account

This standard establishes that public accountants will set their financial compensation "according to their scientific and/or technical capacity and in relation to the importance and circumstances of each of the cases they are required to perform." This legal article is crucial because it shifts the focus from a fixed fee to a dynamic and contextual assessment. Furthermore, the law imposes a fundamental requirement: the fee agreement must be made in advance and in writing with the service user. This not only protects both parties but also professionalizes the business relationship.

Fee Personalization

To translate the CTCP guidelines into a practical and defensible quote, the professional must perform a multifactorial analysis. Law 43 of 1990 and professional best practices dictate the consideration of the following variables:

• Complexity and Scope of Work: Issuing an income tax certificate for an individual is not the same as structuring tax planning for a business conglomerate. The intrinsic difficulty and scope of the service are the main drivers of price.
• Time and Resources Invested: The cost of the hours that the professionals involved will dedicate must be estimated, considering their different levels of experience (partners, managers, senior and junior staff).
• Customer Profile: The size of the entity (SME vs. large company), its economic sector, the volume of its transactions, and its organizational structure directly impact the workload and, therefore, the fee.
• Risk and Responsibility Assumed: The firm of a public accountant carries legal, financial, and reputational responsibility. High-risk services, such as a statutory audit in a regulated sector or a merger opinion, should incorporate a premium that reflects this exposure.
• Professional Experience and Ability: Educational level (undergraduate, specialist, master's degree), specialized certifications (IFRS, CPA, SAP), years of experience, and market reputation are assets that justify higher fees.

The confluence of these factors reveals a fundamental tension in the profession. The CTCP guidance presents a task-based pricing structure, which is a form of value-based pricing (for example, an income tax return has a suggested value of 15 SMMLV regardless of the exact hours it takes). The legal framework, by emphasizing the "importance and circumstances of each case," supports this strategic valuation approach. However, market reality, as will be demonstrated later, often pushes professionals toward a commoditized model. Comments from practicing professionals indicate that many are forced to charge extremely low flat rates (for example, "accounting for up to 100,000"), demonstrating competition based on cost rather than value. Thus, there is a conflict between official and legal guidance, which aims to value the strategic importance of work, and market dynamics for a large segment of practitioners, which reward the most economical provider of basic compliance services.

Written agreement

The requirement for a written agreement, stipulated in Law 43 of 1990, is not a mere formality. It is an indispensable risk management tool. A well-drafted letter of intent or service provision contract should detail, at a minimum: the precise scope of services, deliverables, the responsibilities of each party, the agreed fees, the method of payment, and deadlines. This document prevents misunderstandings, manages client expectations, and provides a solid legal basis in the event of disputes.

3) Market reality

Reference salaries

The information presented in this table is critical to contextualizing the CTCP guide fees. For example, a professional might see that the suggested value for an "Income Tax Return" is $21,352,500. However, the salary table shows that the average monthly salary for a general accountant is approximately $2.5 million. This monumental disparity between the theoretical value of a single high-level assignment and the actual monthly compensation of the average professional highlights a bifurcation in the market.

This market division is key to understanding the compensation puzzle. On the one hand, there is an elite segment comprised of large firms, specialized consultants, and highly reputable professionals who likely capture high-margin advisory work (such as due diligence processes at 40 minimum wages or costing system design at 60 minimum wages). These fees are relevant to a highly specialized niche. On the other hand, the vast majority of accountants, both employed and independent, compete in a commoditized market for basic compliance services, such as bookkeeping and simple tax return preparation. It is in this second segment where pricing pressure is most intense, reflected in modest salaries and widespread complaints.

The voice of the accountant

The quantitative data is reinforced by qualitative evidence from forums and social media, where accountants express their frustration. Recurring comments include complaints about low pay ("This career is very poorly paid"), the prevalence of unfair competition and underpricing of services ("I know some freelancers who charge companies 200,000"), and the disproportion between the high level of responsibility and the compensation received. This narrative provides a human and urgent context to the labor market figures.

Increase Revenue

Despite the challenges, there are clear paths to salary and fee growth. Market analysis identifies several key drivers of professional value:

• Experience: Role progression from assistant to accountant and then to management positions is the most traditional path to increasing income.
• Specialization: Focusing on high-demand and complex areas, such as tax, forensic auditing, transfer pricing, or corporate finance, allows you to access higher salaries and fees.
• Certifications: Earning recognized credentials has a direct and measurable impact on compensation. It's estimated that IFRS certifications can increase salaries by between 101% and 201%, while an international CPA certification can increase salaries by between 251% and 401%.
• Technological and Linguistic Skills: Mastery of tools such as advanced Excel, Power BI, and ERP systems (like SAP) has become indispensable. Likewise, fluency in technical English can increase income potential between 15% and 30%, opening the door to opportunities in multinational companies.

Strategic Recommendations for Accountants

• Strategic Pricing: Use the CTCP guidelines as a starting point for a conversation about value, not as a rigid price menu. Justify fees based on the factors analyzed: risk, complexity, experience, and value added to the client's business.
• Escaping Commodification: Actively invest in specialization, obtaining high-demand certifications, and developing technological and consulting skills. The goal should be to migrate from providing basic compliance services to offering high-impact strategic consulting.
• Formalize the Agreements: Strictly comply with the legal requirement to establish written service contracts. This is not only a legal obligation but also an essential business practice to define scope, manage expectations, and protect the value of professional work.

Recommendations for Companies and Clients

• Understanding Value, Not Just Cost: Recognize that the lowest fee often corresponds to the highest risk. Use the CTCP guide as a tool to understand the potential value of accounting services and the complexity involved, not just to seek the lowest price.
• Select by Competence: Choose accounting professionals based on their experience, industry expertise, and ability to provide strategic advice that drives business forward, rather than basing your decision solely on the cost of filing a return.

Final Perspective

The future of compensation in the accounting profession in Colombia depends on the collective ability of its members and clients to shift the conversation from cost to value. While regulatory bodies provide flexible guidance and set fixed administrative costs, it is ultimately the professionals, through their strategic positioning and specialization, and the clients, through informed hiring decisions, who have the power to elevate the perceived and realized value of the accounting function, transforming it from a compliance requirement to an indispensable strategic asset for business success.

4) JCC costs

2025 Rates

Conclusions

Use the guide as a reference, but set fees based on value, complexity, and risk. Formalize written agreements and focus on specialization.