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New York · NY

Business Banking for Accountants in New York

Free business checking with 1.75% APY, built-in accounting, and unlimited sub-accounts for accountants in New York.

Starting an Accounting Business in New York

State Tax Rate

4%–10.9% (graduated, plus NYC tax up to 3.876%)

LLC Filing Fee

$200 (LLC)

Major Markets

New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse

Key Requirements in New York

CPA license required through New York Board of Accountancy
Must meet 150-credit-hour education requirement for CPA
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) required annually
Professional liability (E&O) insurance strongly recommended
Must comply with AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

Best Banks for Accountants in New York

Compare New York's top business banking options for accountants.

1

Holdings

$0/mo · 1.75% APY

Free business checking with built-in AI accounting, unlimited sub-accounts, and FDIC insurance up to $3M. Available nationwide including New York.

Key Features

  • Free business checking
  • Built-in AI bookkeeping
  • Unlimited sub-accounts
  • 1.75% APY on all balances

Pros

  • No fees, no minimums
  • Accounting included free
  • FDIC insured up to $3M

Cons

  • No physical branches
  • No cash deposit
2

Signature Bank

Regional bank

Best for: accountants with significant banking needs

Pros

NYC-based, strong commercial banking, single-point-of-contact model

Cons

High minimum deposits

3

M&T Bank

Regional bank

Best for: accountants in Upstate New York

Pros

Strong Upstate NY presence, full-service business banking

Cons

Less competitive in NYC metro

4

Sterling National Bank

Regional bank

Best for: accountants in the NYC/Long Island area

Pros

NY metro focus, strong business lending

Cons

Limited upstate presence

Why Accountants in New York Choose Holdings

Trust Account Separation

Client trust funds in dedicated sub-accounts. Clean separation for compliance and audits.

Billable Hour Revenue

Match incoming payments to clients automatically. Know your collection rate in real time.

Multi-Entity Management

Manage LLC, S-Corp, or partnership finances in one dashboard with full separation.

Audit-Ready Books

AI-categorized transactions + real-time P&L = always audit-ready. No year-end scramble.

Accountants Banking in New York — FAQ

Do accountants in New York need a CPA license?

Not all accountants need a CPA license, but to sign audit reports, offer attestation services, or call yourself a CPA in New York, you must be licensed through the New York Board of Accountancy. Bookkeepers and staff accountants can work without a CPA.

What business structure should accountants use in New York?

Most accounting firms in New York operate as a PLLC or PC (filing fee: $200). These structures provide liability protection while meeting New York's professional licensing requirements. Solo practitioners often start as sole proprietors and upgrade to LLC as they grow.

What banking features matter for accountants in New York?

Look for robust transaction tracking, easy invoicing for retainer and hourly billing, integration with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero), and separate sub-accounts for tax season vs. advisory revenue. AI bookkeeping is a nice irony — even accountants benefit from automated categorization.

Do New York accountants need a separate business bank account?

If you're operating as an LLC or PLLC in New York, absolutely — commingling funds can pierce your liability protection. Even sole proprietors should separate business and personal finances for cleaner tax prep and a more professional client experience.

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Ready to open your account?

Holdings offers free banking with 1.75% APY for accountants in New York. Open your account in minutes.

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