How Much Do Bookkeepers Charge Per Month?

Bookkeeping costs vary, but understanding what affects the price helps you plan and budget. A bookkeeper’s monthly cost depends on how many transactions you have and which tasks you include.

At Veteran Bookkeeping LLC, we explain fees clearly so small-business owners know what they’re paying for—no surprises or hidden charges. Our goal is to match the right level of service to your workload, not to oversell.

This guide breaks down average prices, key factors, and service options. You’ll see how to choose a plan that fits your needs and your budget while keeping your books accurate and current.

Key Takeaways

• Monthly fees vary by complexity and services included.

• Extra services like payroll or inventory raise the monthly cost.

• Choose a pricing model that fits your transaction volume and needs.

Monthly Bookkeeping Cost Overview

Monthly bookkeeping costs depend on your business size, transaction volume, and the services you need. You can choose from simple monthly packages for basic data entry to full-service plans that handle payroll, reconciliations, and reporting.

Why Knowing Your Bookkeeping Costs Matters

Transparent pricing helps owners make smarter financial choices. The U.S. Small Business Administration notes that tracking expenses, including professional services, supports better budgeting and profit planning.

When you know what bookkeeping includes and costs, you can align it with cash flow, reduce waste, and reinvest savings into growth.

Typical Price Ranges

Small businesses with low transaction volume often pay between $200 and $500 per month for basic bookkeeping. This usually covers monthly bank reconciliations, basic bookkeeping entries, and a simple financial summary.

Mid-sized businesses with more transactions or payroll needs typically see fees from $500 to $2,000 per month. These plans add payroll processing, regular reporting, and more frequent reconciliations.

Larger companies or those with complex needs can pay $3,000 to $6,000+ per month for daily bookkeeping, multi-entity support, and custom reporting. Rates also shift by location and the bookkeeper’s experience.

What Monthly Fees Include

Monthly fees commonly include these core services:

• Bank and credit card reconciliations

• Transaction categorization and journal entries

• Monthly financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet)

• Accounts payable/receivable management

Higher-tier plans often add:

• Payroll processing and payroll tax filing

• Sales tax tracking and returns

• Clean-up of prior-period errors or catch-up bookkeeping

• Customized management reports and cash-flow forecasting

Confirm which services are part of the flat monthly fee versus billed hourly. Ask whether software subscriptions, payroll fees, or third-party app costs are included. That prevents surprises in your total bookkeeping cost.

Comparing Hourly and Monthly Rates

Hourly billing suits short-term projects, irregular needs, or cleanup work. Typical hourly rates for bookkeepers range widely; many fall between $40 and $100 per hour. If you need only occasional help, hourly can be cheaper than a monthly retainer.

Monthly flat rates work best when you have steady, predictable bookkeeping needs. A flat monthly price gives you a fixed bookkeeper cost and easier budgeting. For businesses with regular payroll, frequent transactions, or recurring reports, monthly plans often offer better value.

Consider hybrid plans: a monthly base fee plus hourly rates for extra tasks. Always ask for an estimate of monthly hours and which tasks trigger extra charges so you can compare the monthly bookkeeping cost to expected hourly expenses.

Types of Bookkeeping Services and Monthly Rates

You’ll see four common ways to get bookkeeping done: hiring someone on your payroll, contracting a firm, using a freelance bookkeeper, or signing up with a virtual/online provider. Costs, control, and the day-to-day fit vary a lot between these options.

In-House Bookkeeper Costs

Hiring an in-house bookkeeper means you pay a salary plus payroll taxes and benefits. Expect monthly payroll costs to be roughly in the range of $3,200 to $5,800 for a full-time, experienced bookkeeper, though entry-level hires will cost less.

You also cover software licenses, workstation setup, and training. You keep direct control over daily transaction entry, bank reconciliations, and payroll processing. This works well if you need someone on-site daily or your business has many transactions.

If you prefer predictable staffing and close oversight, an in-house bookkeeper fits, but remember the extra employer expenses and the time needed to manage hiring and retention.

Outsourced Bookkeeping Fees

Outsourced bookkeeping means you hire a firm to handle your books remotely or with a hybrid model. Typical monthly fees span roughly $500 to $2,500 for small to midsize businesses, rising with transaction volume and added services like payroll or reporting.

Larger, full-service engagements can cost more. Outsourced providers include bookkeeping service providers that bundle software, backups, and trained staff. You gain scalability and less hiring work, and you can often raise or lower service levels month to month.

Make sure the firm uses secure systems and offers clear deliverables like monthly reconciliations and financial summaries.

Freelance Bookkeeper Pricing

A freelance bookkeeper charges in a few ways: hourly, per-month retainer, or per-project. Hourly rates commonly range from about $40 to $100, depending on experience and specialty. Monthly retainers for ongoing part-time work often sit between $200 and $1,000 for small businesses.

Freelancers work well if you need flexible help, occasional cleanups, or niche expertise with your accounting software. You handle hiring directly and must check references and software skills.

Expect limited backup if the freelancer is unavailable; consider a written agreement on hours, scope, and turnaround times to avoid misunderstandings.

Virtual and Online Bookkeeping Services

Virtual bookkeeping services and online bookkeeping service providers offer subscription-style pricing and cloud-based workflows. Prices typically start near $200–$500 per month for basic plans and scale up to $1,500+ for more transactions or add-ons like payroll and tax prep.

Many list tiered packages by number of transactions or accounts. These services use shared platforms like QuickBooks Online and give fast access to reports and alerts. You benefit from automated bank feeds, regular reconciliations, and sometimes a team rather than a single bookkeeper.

Key Factors That Affect Bookkeeping Costs

These are the specific things that raise or lower what you pay. They affect hourly rates, monthly packages, and one-time cleanup fees.

Business Size and Volume of Transactions

Your company’s size and the number of transactions drive the time spent each month. High sales volume, many invoices, or frequent credit-card charges mean more transaction recording and more hours.

A sole proprietor with 50 transactions monthly will pay far less than a retailer processing 2,000 transactions. More transactions increase the need for bank reconciliation and matching receipts. That raises bookkeeping costs because bookkeepers must sort, code, and verify each entry.

Expect bookkeeping rates to rise if you need cash flow management help, like weekly cash reports or forecasting.

If you use simple, consistent accounts and automated feeds, fees stay lower. Manual data entry, paper receipts, or multiple bank accounts push costs higher. Ask bookkeepers how they price per transaction or whether they offer a flat monthly fee.

Service Scope and Complexity

What you need done shapes your bookkeeping fee structure. Basic services—transaction recording, monthly reconciliations, and month-end reports—cost less than full-service packages that include payroll, sales tax filings, or cash flow management.

Complex work demands specialized skill and more time. For example, project accounting, job-cost tracking, multiple entities, or inventory accounting increase bookkeeping costs.

Cleanup work on messy books or past-due reconciliations often carries one-time cleanup fees ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Decide which tasks you want included: weekly bank reconciliation, monthly profit & loss, payroll entries, or ad-hoc financial advice. Clarify whether the bookkeeper charges by hour, per transaction, or a flat monthly bookkeeping fee.

Location and Market Rates

Where you are affects local bookkeeping rates. Urban areas and regions with higher living costs usually show higher hourly bookkeeper costs and monthly fees. Conversely, hiring remotely from lower-cost regions can cut your bookkeeping costs.

Geography also influences whether you hire in-house or outsource. A full-time in-house bookkeeper in the U.S. can cost tens of thousands per year in salary, while outsourced monthly packages may start around a few hundred dollars.

Bookkeeping Fee Structures Explained

You’ll see three common ways bookkeepers charge: per hour, a set monthly fee, or a one-time project price. Each method affects your monthly cost, predictability, and how much control you keep over tasks and timing.

Hourly vs. Flat Rate Fees

Hourly fees usually range from $40 to $100, though local rates can vary. You pay for actual time worked, so this fits businesses with irregular needs or small, occasional tasks. Track hours and tasks so you can compare the hourly cost to a monthly package.

Flat monthly fees give predictable bookkeeping costs. Typical small-business packages start near $200–$500 per month and rise with transaction volume, payroll, or number of accounts. Flat rates often bundle software, basic reports, and up to a set number of transactions.

Ask what happens if transactions exceed the plan — many bookkeepers add per-transaction or hourly surcharges. When choosing between them, estimate your monthly hours and compare them against flat packages.

If you have steady, repeatable needs, a flat fee often lowers your bookkeeper cost. If work fluctuates, hourly may save you money.

Value-Based Pricing

Value-based pricing sets fees by the value the bookkeeper delivers rather than by the hours. A bookkeeper may charge more if they improve cash flow, reduce late payments, or cut your tax prep time. This structure benefits you when a skilled bookkeeper adds measurable business value.

You and the bookkeeper agree on outcomes and metrics up front — for example, faster invoice collection or cleaner monthly close. Fees can be a base retainer plus a performance bonus tied to those results. Expect higher base rates than simple hourly work, but clearer incentives.

Use value pricing when you need strategic help, not just data entry. Ask for examples of past results and how they measured success.

Project or Cleanup Bookkeeping Costs

Project fees cover one-off jobs like year-end cleanup, software migration, or setting up a chart of accounts. Cleanup work can range from $500 for minor fixes to $5,000+ for messy, multi-year reconciliations.

The final cost depends on transaction volume, missing documentation, and how many months need correction. Bookkeepers will often give a fixed quote after reviewing a sample of your books.

Quotes usually factor in estimated hours, hourly rates, and any software or filing fees. For large cleanups, break the work into phases and approve each phase to control cost. If you expect cleanup tasks, get a written scope, timeline, and change-order policy.

Choosing the Right Bookkeeping Solution

Decide whether you need a part-time person, a full-service firm, or software that automates routine tasks. Focus on cost, the time you can spend, and how many transactions you have each month.

How to Hire a Bookkeeper

Look for bookkeepers who match your business size and industry. If you process under 100 transactions monthly, a part-time or freelance bookkeeper often fits. For 300+ transactions or payroll and tax filings, consider a bookkeeping service provider or small firm.

Ask for hourly and monthly pricing, and get a written scope: tasks, deliverables, deadlines, and access to accounts. Request sample reports that they will provide each month. Check references and confirm they use software you prefer, such as QuickBooks or Xero.

Interview at least three candidates. For freelancers, confirm liability insurance and backup plans for vacations or turnover. For firms, ask about your dedicated contact and turnaround time.

Using Accounting Software

Pick software that fits your skills and volume. QuickBooks handles most small businesses and integrates with payroll, invoicing, and many apps. Xero is strong for multi-user access and bank feeds. Compare monthly costs and add-ons before committing.

Decide if you want bookkeeping bundled with software support. Many bookkeepers include software setup and monthly reconciliations in their fee. If you hire a beginner bookkeeper, plan for extra training time and a trial period.

Look for these software features: automatic bank imports, easy chart of accounts, simple invoicing, and exportable reports. Test a free trial to confirm the interface fits you and your bookkeeper.

Certifications and Expertise to Look For

Choose bookkeepers with clear credentials and relevant experience. A Certified Bookkeeper credential or membership in a professional association shows formal training. For payroll or tax tasks, make sure the bookkeeper knows current payroll laws and tax filing deadlines.

Match expertise to your needs. Simple bookkeeping can suit a beginner under supervision. For inventory, construction, or e-commerce, look for someone with direct experience in your sector.

Ask about ongoing education, software certifications like QuickBooks ProAdvisor or Xero Partner, and request sample work. Verify identity and run background checks if they will handle payments or bank access.

Clear Pricing Leads to Smarter Decisions

Bookkeeping prices depend on scope, complexity, and volume, but transparent fees help you plan with confidence. Knowing what drives cost keeps your finances predictable and your business prepared.

At Veteran Bookkeeping LLC, we tailor pricing to real workload, not guesswork. Our focus is on clarity, value, and timely financial insight so you can make decisions backed by facts.

Want to see what level of service fits your books and budget? Request a pricing review and find the plan that works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section gives direct answers about monthly and hourly bookkeeping costs, what affects prices, and where to find current price lists. Each FAQ provides practical numbers and simple ways to estimate your costs.

What's the going rate for a bookkeeper for a small business?

For basic monthly bookkeeping, expect to pay about $250 to $700 per month for a typical small business. If you need payroll, invoicing, or tax-prep help, plan on $500 to $1,000+ per month. Online bookkeeping services commonly offer tiered plans in the $250–$700 range. See a breakdown of typical packages and pricing models at Pilot’s guide to how much bookkeepers charge.

How do you determine the cost of bookkeeping services for self-employed individuals?

Count the number of monthly transactions, whether you need payroll, and if you want monthly reports. For simple sole-proprietor work with under 100 transactions, many bookkeepers charge $200–$400 per month. If you only need occasional cleanups or one-off tasks, ask for project pricing or hourly rates instead of a monthly plan.

What are the typical bookkeeping fees per transaction?

Some bookkeepers charge per transaction, often $0.50 to $2.00 each, depending on volume and complexity. High-volume automated categorization can lower per-transaction costs; manual work raises them. For businesses with many bank and credit-card entries, monthly flat pricing is often cheaper than per-transaction fees.

Can you provide a general price range for bookkeeper hourly rates?

Hourly rates usually fall between $30 and $100 per hour for U.S. bookkeepers. Freelancers and experienced bookkeepers often charge $40–$80 per hour; specialists or firms may charge more. For long-term work, monthly flat rates often give you a clearer budget than hourly billing.