Accounting Packages Built Around How Much Control Your Business Needs
Transparent monthly accounting packages help an SME choose the right level of control before the work starts. The best tier depends on turnover, legal entities, bank accounts, VAT, payroll, transaction volume, inventory and reporting expectations.
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Four accounting packages for different levels of SME complexity.
The tier names and monthly fees below are Lloyd-approved public prices. Each package has a clear starting point, but LBA still reviews the actual records, entities and compliance position before confirming scope.
Fees are per month.
Foundation
Small owner-managed businesses that need clean monthly processing and a controlled accounting base before complexity builds.
- One legal entity
- One bank account
- Up to 50 monthly transactions
Compliance
VAT-registered SMEs that need bookkeeping, payroll basics, VAT control and periodic management information.
- VAT registered
- Up to 120 monthly transactions
- Quarterly management accounts
Growth
Growing businesses with employees, multiple bank accounts, inventory and monthly reporting needs.
- Up to 25 employees
- Monthly management accounts
- Cash-flow forecast
Scale
Larger SMEs with higher transaction volume, more entities, deeper inventory requirements and monthly review needs.
- R20m+ annual turnover
- Monthly plus management pack
- Monthly owner or director meetings
Accounting package comparison table.
Use the table to compare the operating limits and service depth across Foundation, Compliance, Growth and Scale. A higher tier is usually about more complexity, not only more transactions.
| Foundation | Compliance | Growth | Scale | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | R2,500 | R4,500 | R6,500 | R9,000 |
| Annual turnover | Up to R1.5m | R1.5m to R5m | R5m to R20m | R20m+ |
| Legal entities | 1 | 1 | Up to 2 | 3+ |
| Bank accounts | 1 | Up to 2 | Up to 4 | 5+ |
| VAT registered | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Employees | 0 | Up to 5 | Up to 25 | 25+ |
| Payroll runs per month | no | 1 | 1 to 2 | 2+ |
| PAYE / UIF / SDL | no | yes | yes | yes |
| IRP5 / EMP501 | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Monthly transactions | Up to 50 | Up to 120 | Up to 300 | 300+ |
| Supplier invoices | Basic | Standard | High volume | Very high volume |
| Bank reconciliations | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly plus review |
| Inventory tracked | no | Basic | yes | yes |
| SKUs / product lines | no | Up to 20 | Up to 150 | 150+ |
| Inventory valuation | no | Basic | Perpetual | Advanced / multi-location |
| Inventory reporting | no | Basic / periodic | yes | yes |
| Management accounts | no | Quarterly (periodic) | Monthly | Monthly plus pack |
| Cash flow forecast | no | no | yes | yes |
| Budgeting | no | no | Basic / periodic | yes |
| Tax planning | no | no | Basic / periodic | yes |
| Owner / director meetings | no | no | Quarterly | Monthly |
| If you exceed the limits | Upgrade | Upgrade | Reprice or upgrade | Custom scope |
Legend: Basic / periodic means a limited or periodic inclusion, not a full monthly service.
Use three practical questions before choosing a tier.
A package should fit the control load of the business. Turnover, staff and VAT status usually reveal whether the business needs a basic accounting base, compliance-heavy support, monthly reporting or a deeper management pack.
What is your annual turnover?
Up to R1.5m usually points to Foundation. R1.5m to R5m usually points to Compliance. R5m to R20m usually points to Growth. R20m+ usually needs Scale or a custom scope.
How many employees and payroll runs do you have?
No employees fits Foundation. Up to 5 employees usually fits Compliance. Up to 25 employees usually fits Growth. Larger payroll complexity usually fits Scale.
Are you VAT registered?
A non-VAT business may fit Foundation. A VAT-registered business normally needs at least Compliance so VAT201 control, reconciliations and records are handled properly.
Pricing connects to the service path, not just a monthly fee.
The package should be read with the services that drive the workload. A VAT-registered business, payroll-heavy business or reporting-led business will need different controls even when turnover looks similar.
Common questions about LBA's monthly accounting packages.
These answers explain the visible package table and the scope boundaries behind it.
What is the starting price for LBA Accounting packages?
The Foundation package starts from R2,500 per month. Fees are per month and the final scope depends on turnover, entities, bank accounts, VAT, payroll, transaction volume, inventory and reporting requirements.
Which package fits a VAT-registered SME?
A VAT-registered SME normally starts at Compliance because VAT201 control, VAT reconciliations and VAT-ready records need more than basic processing. Growth or Scale may fit where transactions, employees, inventory or reporting needs are higher.
Can a business start on one package and move later?
Yes. The table shows when a package may need to upgrade, be repriced or move to a custom scope. The point is to match the service level to the actual control requirement rather than overstate or understate the workload.
Do the packages include management accounts?
Foundation does not include management accounts. Compliance includes quarterly periodic management accounts. Growth includes monthly management accounts. Scale includes monthly management accounts plus a pack.
Do prices guarantee every accounting or tax task is included?
No. The packages define a monthly scope. Specialist work, unusual backlogs, complex SARS matters, advisory projects, legal work, audits and other non-standard needs may require separate assessment and scope.
Are package fees quoted including or excluding VAT?
Fees are per month. The VAT-inclusive or VAT-exclusive wording must still be confirmed by Lloyd before the fee note is expanded.
Choose a package after the accounting workload is clear.
LBA can review your turnover, VAT, payroll, transaction volume, inventory and reporting needs before confirming the monthly package that fits.