A job-based accounting system for image processing includes receiving an image processing job at a multifunction image processing apparatus from a walk-up user or a computer workstation operably connected to the image processing apparatus. The image processing job is classified as one of: (i) a print job submitted from a computer workstation operably connected to the image processing apparatus; (ii) a copy job submitted by a walk-up user of the image processing apparatus; (iii) a scan job submitted by a walk-up user of the image processing apparatus; and (iv) a facsimile job submitted or received by a user of the image processing apparatus. One of a plurality of different accounting modes is selected to be used by the multifunction device when the multifunction device carries out the image processing job based upon the classification of the image processing job. The image processing job is completed and accounting data are developed in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of different accounting modes.