Sometimes when one suddenly sees fees increase significantly. one always gets the idea of "I'm being ripped off"
Personally I have a fabulous accountant. He is relatively young but extremely savvy!!! unlike some older guys who tend to often have to ask questions of the younger brigade my accountant is a genuine asset.
Apart from doing my personal tax return, he also does other work for me and as well as the preparation of my super fund return etc, to the tax office and any other compliance forms etc.
Each month, as soon as I receive my bank statement, I attach the relative document (buy order or sell order form) for all transactions on my bank statement in the order each transaction appears on the statement. At the end of the year, I present the 12 bank statements together with all the documents for each of the 12 months (could be 120 to 200 documents)with a big fat bulldog clip holding it all together.
As far as charges are concerned I believe he might calculate based on the number of transactions I have done but the average I have paid over the last 5 years is between $2,300 - $2,600 for everything.
As far as the audit is concerned, my accountant sends everything off to the auditor and I get charged $450.
I also get the impression that some accountants charge a fee and if you think it's excessive and you say so, they can easily find clients who will not question the fees.
Anyway, good luck with your search and being in Perth (as I think you stated) it is maybe a case of like it or lump it with the fees.
If you feel your previous guy was charging you too much, then, perhaps you could have tried to negotiate something better with him. I guess all that depends if he worked for himself or in a large accountancy firm. A clever accountant in a small firm would likely not like to lose you.
Back to my own accountant, I could maybe save a few dollars elsewhere but why would I do that when I am more than pleased with the service.
