Short answer: An accounting service covers recording purchase and sales invoices and bank transactions in the statutory books, and preparing and filing VAT, withholding and social security, provisional tax and annual income or corporate tax returns. If you have staff, payroll and social security declarations are included, as are e-Ledger and e-Invoice processes, year-end closing and tax advice. The exact scope depends on the company type and needs and is set out in a written agreement.
"I pay my accountant every month, but what exactly do I get?" It is one of the fairest questions a business owner can ask. Knowing the scope helps you set expectations and compare quotes properly. In this guide, we at Ankara Muhasebeci explain the monthly service items, the annual work and the tasks usually handled separately.
Below you will find a table of monthly service items, a filing calendar chart, how scope varies by company type, work usually charged separately and short answers to common questions.
Core items of a monthly accounting service
| Service item | Frequency | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | Monthly | Recording invoices, expenses and bank transactions |
| VAT return | Monthly (by obligation) | Declaring output and input VAT |
| Withholding and social security return | Monthly or quarterly | Withholding taxes and staff contributions |
| Ba-Bs forms | Monthly (if required) | Reporting purchases and sales above a threshold |
| Payroll and SGK | Monthly | Payslips, hiring and termination notices |
| e-Ledger | Monthly (if required) | Creating ledgers and uploading berats |
| Provisional tax | Quarterly | Advance tax on period profit |
| Annual return | Yearly | Income or corporate tax return |
Whether each item applies depends on your company type and obligations; a business without staff has no payroll item, for example.
How the monthly calendar works
The filing calendar sets the rhythm. As a general rule, the withholding and social security return is due on the 26th of the following month, the VAT return on the 28th and Ba-Bs forms by month end. If a deadline falls on a public holiday it moves to the next working day, and the administration may announce extensions.
See our monthly tax calendar for details and our late interest calculator to see what a delay can cost.
Annual and periodic work
- Year-end closing: inventory, depreciation, provisions and adjusting entries. Our depreciation calculator helps here.
- Financial statements: balance sheet and income statement.
- Annual return: income or corporate tax return.
- Book certification: opening and closing certification for businesses using paper books.
How scope varies by company type
- Sole proprietorships on a business account basis: recording income and expenses, VAT and periodic returns and the annual income tax return form the core.
- Companies on a balance sheet basis: double-entry bookkeeping, e-Ledger, provisional tax, year-end inventory and financial statements; limited and joint stock companies file corporate tax returns.
- Freelancers: recording freelance receipts and expenses, tracking withholding and the annual return. See freelance accounting.
- E-commerce and courier businesses: high document volume adds payout reconciliation and matching platform payments.
Payroll and social security
For businesses with staff, payroll is one of the most intensive monthly items: timely hiring and termination notices, monthly payslips, reporting contributions and withholding on the withholding and social security return, tracking incentives and reflecting leave and sick reports. Our salary calculator shows gross and net pay, and the first employee checklist helps you prepare.
Is advice included?
A sound service goes beyond record-keeping. Telling you the tax due before filing, informing you about incentives and warning you about regulatory changes are a natural part of most agreements. More extensive tax planning or an opinion on a special transaction is usually handled separately; see our tax advisory page.
Where does e-Transformation fit?
e-Invoice, e-Archive and e-Ledger have changed day-to-day accounting. Electronic invoices flow directly into the records, and for e-Ledger users, ledgers are created electronically and berats uploaded on time. Monitoring these is usually part of the monthly service; the initial transition and integrator setup may be a one-off job. See our e-Transformation page and e-Invoice vs e-Archive.
Work usually handled separately
- Company formation and amendments to the articles
- Capital increases, address changes, share transfers and liquidation
- Preparing VAT refund files
- Support during tax audits
- Corrections and restatements for past periods
For company procedures, see our company changes and liquidation service.
Put the scope in writing
A scope agreed only verbally can be remembered differently over time. List monthly, periodic and annual work, separately charged work and document deadlines in a written service agreement, and agree to review the scope when staff numbers, sales channels or company type change. We explain selection criteria in how to choose an accountant in Ankara.
Foreign-owned businesses and English reporting
For foreign-owned companies and foreign entrepreneurs in Ankara, the statutory scope is the same, but communication becomes part of the service. Monthly summaries, tax payment notices and year-end statements can be explained in English, and questions from the head office or foreign shareholders can be answered directly. If you need such reporting, include its format and frequency in the agreement so that it becomes a routine part of the monthly work rather than an ad hoc request.
The business's duties
Service quality depends directly on documents arriving on time and complete: send invoices and receipts every month, provide access to bank transactions, report staff changes in advance and pay taxes on time. Our document checklist helps.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in an accounting service?
Bookkeeping, monthly and annual returns, payroll and social security if you have staff, e-Ledger processes, year-end closing and basic tax advice are usually included.
Is payroll included in the accounting fee?
Payroll is usually in scope, but the fee varies with headcount, so it is stated separately in the quote.
Is company formation included?
Formation and amendments are one-off jobs and are usually priced separately from the monthly fee; the scope should be written in the agreement.
What affects the accounting fee?
Company type, bookkeeping basis, monthly document and staff numbers, special activities such as marketplace sales or exports, and extra services.
When should I deliver documents?
As soon as possible after the month ends, ideally in the first week, so returns are not squeezed against the deadline.
Is the service different for a sole proprietorship and a limited company?
Yes. Limited companies add balance sheet bookkeeping, e-Ledger, provisional tax and year-end statements, so the scope is generally wider.
Conclusion
Knowing the scope shows you what your fee buys and helps set the right expectations. Distinguishing monthly, periodic and annual work and putting separately charged work in the agreement is the basis of a healthy relationship. When comparing quotes, look at what each figure covers, not just the monthly amount. Comparing quotes with different scopes on price alone is often misleading. A clear scope also makes the relationship easier for both sides: you know what to expect each month, and your accountant knows exactly which documents and decisions they need from you and when.
At Ankara Muhasebeci, we provide bookkeeping, tax filing, payroll and advisory services to companies and freelancers from our office in Kızılay. See our bookkeeping and accounting and payroll and social security pages, or reach us via our contact page.
