How much does bookkeeping cost

Bookkeeping prices vary widely because businesses vary widely. A freelancer with one bank account and a product seller with three marketplaces and inventory are very different jobs. This guide explains what drives the price and how to compare quotes fairly.

By Awais Jameel, Chartered Accountant. Reviewed by Muhammad Bilal, Chartered Accountant. Checked against official sources on . 2 minute read.

Short answer

How much bookkeeping costs depends mainly on how many transactions and accounts you have, whether you carry inventory or run payroll, and how far behind the books are. Most small businesses pay a fixed monthly fee set by those factors; some providers charge hourly. Catch-up work for past months is usually priced separately. Compare quotes on what is included, not just the price.

At a glance

Main price driver
Monthly transaction volume
Also affects price
Number of accounts, inventory, payroll, sales channels
Common model
Fixed monthly fee
Other models
Hourly, or per transaction
Catch-up work
Usually quoted separately
Compare
What is included, response times, year-end support
How much does bookkeeping costSteps: 1. Monthly categorization of every transaction; 2. Monthly reconciliation; 3. Monthly reports; 4. Year-end close; 5. Clear extras.THE PROCESS AT A GLANCEHow much does bookkeeping cost1Monthlycategorization ofevery transactionFor every account andchannel you use2MonthlyreconciliationOf every bank, card andplatform account3Monthly reportsAt least a profit andloss statement andbalance sheet4Year-end closeBooks ready for the taxreturn5Clear extrasPayroll, 1099s, salestax filing and taxpreparation, pricedseparately or includedChecked against official sourcesTax BakersHow much does bookkeeping costSteps: 1. Monthly categorization of every transaction; 2. Monthly reconciliation; 3. Monthly reports; 4. Year-end close; 5. Clear extras.THE PROCESS AT A GLANCEHow much does bookkeeping cost1Monthly categorization of everytransactionFor every account and channel you use2Monthly reconciliationOf every bank, card and platform account3Monthly reportsAt least a profit and loss statement andbalance sheet4Year-end closeBooks ready for the tax return5Clear extrasPayroll, 1099s, sales tax filing and taxpreparation, priced separately or includedChecked against official sourcesTax Bakers
The process at a glance: 1. Monthly categorization of every transaction; 2. Monthly reconciliation; 3. Monthly reports; 4. Year-end close; 5. Clear extras.

What drives the price?

FactorWhy it matters
Transactions per monthEvery transaction must be categorized and reconciled
Number of accountsEach bank, card, platform and loan is reconciled separately
Sales channelsMarketplace settlements need extra work to record gross sales and fees
InventoryTracking cost of goods sold and stock adds work
Payroll and contractorsPayroll runs and 1099 tracking are extra services
Accounting methodAccrual books take more work than cash books
State of the booksMonths or years behind means catch-up work first

How do bookkeepers charge?

  • Fixed monthly fee. The most common for small businesses. Predictable, and set by the factors above.
  • Hourly. Suits irregular or one-off work, but the total is harder to predict.
  • Per transaction or tiered. Price bands by transaction volume.
  • Catch-up projects. A separate quote to bring past months up to date. See catch-up bookkeeping.

What should a quote include?

  1. Monthly categorization of every transaction

    For every account and channel you use.

  2. Monthly reconciliation

    Of every bank, card and platform account. See bank reconciliation.

  3. Monthly reports

    At least a profit and loss statement and balance sheet. See how to read a P&L.

  4. Year-end close

    Books ready for the tax return. See the year-end checklist.

  5. Clear extras

    Payroll, 1099s, sales tax filing and tax preparation, priced separately or included.

Is doing it yourself cheaper?

In fees, yes. In time and risk, often not. A few transactions a month on a single account are manageable with software. Multiple channels, inventory or payroll usually cost owners more in time and errors than a bookkeeper would. See bookkeeping basics.

See QuickBooks vs Xero vs Wave for software choices.

The signs it is time for help are covered in when to hire a bookkeeper.

Is bookkeeping deductible?

Yes. Bookkeeping and accounting fees for the business are ordinary and necessary business expenses. See deductible business expenses.

Want a fixed monthly quote?

Tell us your accounts, monthly transactions and sales channels, and we quote one fixed monthly fee with everything included listed.

Book a call Chat on WhatsApp

Questions people ask

How much does a bookkeeper cost for a small business?

It depends on transaction volume, number of accounts, inventory, payroll and how current the books are. Most small businesses pay a fixed monthly fee.

Why do bookkeeping quotes vary so much?

Because the work varies: marketplaces, inventory, payroll and accrual books all add time, and some quotes include year-end work while others do not.

Is catch-up bookkeeping priced separately?

Usually yes, as a one-off project before the monthly service begins.

Are bookkeeping fees tax deductible?

Yes, as ordinary and necessary business expenses.

Sources

Every fee, date and rule on this page was taken from these official and primary sources.

  1. IRS Publication 583: Starting a Business and Keeping Records
  2. Internal Revenue Code section 162: trade or business expenses

Rules and fees change. If you are reading this long after September 30, 2026, confirm the figures with the source before you rely on them.

BookkeepingBookkeeping basics for small business ownersBookkeepingBookkeeping vs accounting vs tax preparation: who does whatBookkeepingCatch-up bookkeeping: fixing months or years of missing books

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This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.