KeepAm vs Hiring an Accountant
Which is right for you?
KeepAm for Most Freelancers & Creators
For Nigerian freelancers, content creators, remote workers, and small businesses with straightforward income under ₦25M annually, KeepAm offers significant cost savings (₦12,000/year vs ₦50,000-200,000+) while providing the same core functionality. For complex multi-company structures, high-net-worth individuals, or if you need professional representation at FIRS, an accountant is worth the investment.
KeepAm Pro costs ₦12,000/year (₦1,500/month). Most Nigerian accountants charge ₦50,000-₦200,000+ annually for similar services. For a freelancer earning ₦5 million/year, KeepAm saves at least ₦38,000 annually—enough for a new monitor or 3 months of internet.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how KeepAm stacks up against hiring a traditional accountant
| Feature | RecommendedKeepAm | Accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | ₦12,000 (Pro) | ₦50,000 - ₦200,000+ |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Availability | 24/7, instant | Business hours |
| Tax Calculations | Automatic, 2026 rates | Manual, varies |
| Filing Guidance | Step-by-step forms | They file for you |
| Expense Tracking | Built-in + suggestions | You provide records |
| Invoicing | Included with VAT | Usually separate |
| Learning | You understand taxes | Stay dependent |
| Audit Support | Records & docs | Representation |
| Best For | Under ₦25M income | Complex structures |
How much does KeepAm cost vs an accountant?
KeepAm Pro costs ₦12,000/year. Most Nigerian accountants charge ₦50,000-₦200,000 annually for similar services. For a freelancer earning ₦5 million/year, KeepAm saves you at least ₦38,000 annually—money that stays in your pocket.
Here's what accountants typically charge in Nigeria (2026 rates):
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic tax filing (freelancer) | ₦30,000 - ₦50,000/year |
| Monthly bookkeeping | ₦20,000 - ₦50,000/month |
| Tax planning consultation | ₦25,000 - ₦100,000 per session |
| Annual financial statements | ₦50,000 - ₦150,000 |
| VAT registration & filing | ₦40,000 - ₦80,000/year |
| Full-service package | ₦150,000 - ₦500,000/year |
KeepAm pricing:
- Free: ₦0 (unlimited calculations, 20 entries/month)
- Pro: ₦1,500/month or ₦12,000/year (unlimited everything)
- Business: ₦5,000/month or ₦48,000/year (multi-business, team access)
The math is simple: A freelance designer earning ₦6 million/year would pay an accountant ₦50,000+ for basic tax filing. With KeepAm Pro at ₦12,000/year, they save ₦38,000—enough for a new monitor or 3 months of internet.
What does KeepAm actually do vs an accountant?
KeepAm automates tax calculations, tracks your income/expenses, generates filing-ready reports, and guides you through LIRS forms box-by-box. An accountant does similar work manually but adds human judgment and can represent you in disputes.
What KeepAm does:
- Calculates your exact tax using 2026 Nigeria Tax Act rates
- Tracks income from multiple sources (Naira and foreign currency)
- Categorizes expenses and identifies deductions automatically
- Reminds you of deadlines (March 31 annual filing, monthly VAT)
- Generates reports you can submit to FIRS/LIRS
- Shows you exactly how to fill each box on tax forms
- Stores your records securely for 7+ years
What an accountant does:
- Same calculations (but manually, and quality varies)
- Reviews your records and organizes them
- Files on your behalf (you don't touch the forms)
- Provides tax planning advice
- Represents you if FIRS asks questions
- Signs off on financial statements (required for some loans/contracts)
- Handles complex scenarios (multiple companies, international income, audits)
The key difference: KeepAm empowers you to understand and manage your own taxes. An accountant manages them for you. Both get the job done—the question is whether you want control or convenience.
When is KeepAm the better choice?
KeepAm is better if you're a freelancer, content creator, remote worker, or small business owner with straightforward income. If you earn under ₦50 million annually, don't have employees, and aren't VAT-registered, you probably don't need an accountant.
Choose KeepAm if you:
- Earn primarily from freelance work, content creation, or a single business
- Have income under ₦50 million/year
- Don't have employees (or have fewer than 5)
- Want to understand your own tax situation
- Prefer instant access over scheduling appointments
- Are comfortable using apps and digital tools
- Want to save ₦30,000-₦150,000 per year
Real examples where KeepAm wins:
Chidi, UI Designer (₦7.2M/year)
Gets paid in USD via Payoneer, has some local clients. KeepAm converts his foreign income, tracks his equipment purchases as deductions, and shows he qualifies for the ₦800K tax-free threshold plus rent relief. Total tax: ₦285,000. Accountant quoted ₦80,000/year to do the same thing.
Amaka, YouTuber (₦3.6M/year)
AdSense income, brand deals, affiliate commissions. Multiple income streams confused her—she didn't know if she owed tax at all. KeepAm consolidated everything, showed her legitimate deductions (camera, ring light, data), and her actual liability: ₦127,000. She was about to pay an accountant ₦50,000 to tell her the same thing.
Emeka, Online Seller (₦18M/year)
Sells phone accessories on Instagram. Thought he needed to register for VAT—he doesn't (threshold is ₦50M). KeepAm's Business Tax module showed his actual obligations. Saved him from unnecessary VAT registration AND accountant fees.
When do you actually need an accountant?
Hire an accountant if you have multiple businesses, employees, turnover above ₦50 million, complex international income, or need signed financial statements for loans or contracts. For audits or disputes with FIRS, professional representation is worth the cost.
You should hire an accountant if:
- You run multiple registered companies
- You have 5+ employees and need proper payroll
- Your turnover exceeds ₦50 million (VAT registration required)
- You have complex international income (permanent establishments abroad)
- You need audited financial statements (for bank loans, investors, large contracts)
- FIRS has contacted you about a tax audit
- You're buying/selling a business and need due diligence
- You genuinely don't want to learn about tax (and can afford not to)
The honest truth: Many Nigerian accountants recommend their services to people who don't need them. A freelancer earning ₦5 million doesn't need a ₦100,000/year accounting retainer. But a business with ₦200 million turnover, 20 employees, and VAT obligations? That's where accountants earn their fees.
💡 The hybrid approach:
Use KeepAm for day-to-day tracking and calculations, then hire an accountant for annual review or specific complex situations. You'll pay ₦12,000/year for KeepAm plus maybe ₦30,000 for a one-time accountant consultation—still cheaper than a full retainer.
Detailed Pros & Cons
KeepAm Tax Software
Pros
- ₦12,000/year vs ₦50,000-200,000 for an accountant
- Available 24/7—calculate your tax at midnight if you want
- Always updated with current 2026 tax rates
- You learn and control your own tax situation
- Built specifically for Nigerian freelancers and creators
- Tracks income, expenses, invoices in one place
- Step-by-step filing guidance with actual form instructions
Cons
- You still do the filing yourself (we guide you, but you click submit)
- Can't represent you in person if FIRS calls
- No signed financial statements for bank loans
- Requires basic comfort with apps/technology
- Complex multi-company structures may need more
Hiring an Accountant
Pros
- Human judgment for unusual situations
- Can represent you in audits and disputes
- Signs financial statements (required for some purposes)
- Handles everything so you don't have to learn
- Network of contacts (lawyers, bankers, other professionals)
- Can advise on business structure and planning
Cons
- Expensive: ₦50,000-200,000+ per year
- Quality varies wildly—some don't know the 2026 law
- Available only during business hours
- You stay dependent on them
- May recommend unnecessary services
- Turnaround time measured in days, not seconds
Critical Questions Before You Decide
For most freelancers and small business owners—yes. KeepAm handles everything from calculation to filing guidance. You only need an accountant for complex situations (multiple companies, audits, signed financial statements) or if you simply prefer having someone else handle it entirely.
Which Option is Right for You?
Choose KeepAm If:
- •You're a freelancer or content creator
- •Your annual income is under ₦25M
- •You want to save ₦38,000+ per year
- •You prefer self-service with guidance
- •You want 24/7 access to your tax info
Choose an Accountant If:
- •You run multiple companies
- •You have 5+ employees
- •Your turnover exceeds ₦50M
- •You need FIRS representation
- •You need signed financial statements
Ready to see what you actually owe?
Most Nigerian freelancers are either overpaying tax or overpaying for advice about tax. KeepAm fixes both.
No signup required for calculator. Pro plan ₦1,500/month if you want the full toolkit.