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Bookkeepers usually charge $3000- $4500 per month for full-time services, $400 -$800 per month for part-time services and  $30-$90 hourly for their regular bookkeeping services. 

However, additional charges may apply for specialized services beyond the basic bookkeeping tasks, such as financial reporting or tax preparation.

Bookkeeping is essential for understanding your financial health and making smart decisions. Without it, businesses can face problems with compliance and lose money. Knowing how much bookkeeping services cost is crucial for business owners. 

Prices can vary depending on whether you hire someone in-house or use an outside service. Proper bookkeeping not only helps you save on taxes but also gives you insights to improve your business.

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

Bookkeepers record financial transactions and manage the organization’s day-to-day activities, such as recording transaction details, managing invoices, paying bills, reconciling bank transactions, tracking accounts payable and receivables, and processing payroll. They maintain accurate financial records by tracking revenue and expenses and ensuring all data is entered correctly into accounting software.

In a nutshell, a bookkeeper records your financial transactions and gathers data to generate general financial reports. Business owners can use these comprehensive financial reports and make more informed financial decisions, resulting in increased company development and profitability.

Bookkeepers also complete a few chores on a daily or monthly basis.

These tasks may include:

  • Data entry
  • Paying bills
  • Recording transactions, expenses, and other financial activity
  • Managing invoices, payments, and vendor bills
  • Managing payroll, paying taxes
  • Ensuring compliance for employees and contractors
  • Provide clients with weekly & monthly reports
  • Accounts receivable reports on a weekly basis
  • Accounts payable reports on a weekly basis
  • Statement of cash flow 
  • Custom reports 
  • Inventory Management 
  • Manage the chart of accounts
  • Debit/credit card reconciliation
  • Balance sheet on a monthly basis. 
  • Profit and Loss on a monthly basis. 
  • Budgeting Reports 
  • 1099 preparation 
  • Keeping clients and vendors list
  • Organizing and creating important documents

Apart from this, keeping all the data organized is one of the most important tasks of a bookkeeper so that when tax filing season arrives, you can easily access all the data.

Bookkeeping Fee Structure

Bookkeeping Fee Structure
TypesInformation
Hourly Bookkeeping CostIn this type, bookkeepers charge by the hours, which means that the billing method allows you to pay only for work completed on the chosen hours, but the fees might quickly mount up.
Monthly Bookkeeping Packages / Flat FeeIn this type, bookkeepers charge flat monthly fees for specific bundles of services. The monthly fee is calculated on several factors such as projected hours, breadth of services, and experience level. 
Transaction-Based PricingIn this type, bookkeepers have a fee structure based on the transactions processed each month or over a specified period of time. Each transaction has a certain value, and prices are multiplied by the transactions. 
Project-Based PricingIn this type, bookkeepers charge project-based fees for one- or off-job work. The project-based accounting fee depends on the projects performed. 
Percentage of RevenueIn this type, bookkeepers may charge a percentage of the company’s revenue, ranging from 1% to 3%, as this fee structure aligns the bookkeeper’s compensation with the business’s financial success.

Types of Bookkeeping Services Cost

These are some of the types of bookkeeping services cost

1. Basic Bookkeeping Cost

Many small businesses in their early phases primarily focus on compliance—paying bills, receiving payments, recording transactions, assuring payroll accuracy, and adhering to state and federal requirements. At some point, your company will reach a tipping point, and you will begin to emphasize the need for fast, accurate financial reporting and actionable insights. 

If you think your business has basic bookkeeping requirements, then you can check out basic bookkeeping costs for your business. Part-time bookkeepers will charge $400 to $800 a month for basic bookkeeping, minus benefits. Full-time employees can expect to be paid between $3,000 and $4,500 per month, and outsourced bookkeeping costs between $500 and $2,500 per month for simple bookkeeping operations.

2. Part-Time Bookkeeping Cost

The cost of hiring a part-time bookkeeper might vary significantly. Hourly pay for internal, part-time bookkeeping positions ranges from $21-23/hour, depending on the job description and location. They often conduct basic bookkeeping tasks and will need to be monitored and managed.

If you can handle your work and some part of bookkeeping tasks but need a little more support, a part-time bookkeeper could be a suitable fit for your company. They can manage receipts, employee timesheets, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. When hiring a part-time bookkeeper, management should nonetheless have someone examine the bookkeeper’s work. 

3. Full-Time Bookkeeping Cost

A full-time bookkeeper will be in charge of activities such as bill payment, client billing, time-sheet and payroll management, and month-end financial statement preparation. Keeping your books in order and up to date is important for your company’s financial success, so hiring a full-time bookkeeper in this circumstance could be the best option for you.

Full-time bookkeepers make between $35,000 and $55,000 per year. This excludes the perks, which can cost up to 20% of their compensation.

They will keep your books in order and ensure your company has the necessary financial resources to operate. Full-service bookkeepers can also handle payroll for medium to large-sized businesses. The only disadvantage of hiring a full-time bookkeeper is that they are expensive and come with high expenses. 

4. Outsourced Bookkeeping Costs

Outsourcing bookkeeping is an excellent option if you want expert assistance without hiring a panel of accounting and bookkeeping experts in your organization. Monthly fees for outsourced bookkeeping services typically vary between $500 and $2,500. One key benefit of this method is that you may select whatever services you want the bookkeeper to provide.

Small businesses can benefit from outsourcing bookkeeping to third parties, which has the primary advantage of being cost-effective. For example, the process is the same as hiring an in-house bookkeeper, but you avoid adding human overhead costs to your payroll. Outsourcing your bookkeeping services gives you access to more experienced professionals without any training or extra hiring in your business. 

Comparison of Bookkeeping Services Cost

Service TypeFee StructureCost RangeDetails
Freelance BookkeeperHourly $30 – $90 per hourIdeal for small businesses with fewer transactions or part-time needs.
Freelance BookkeeperMonthly $400 – $800 per monthCovers basic bookkeeping services like recording transactions and payroll.
Bookkeeping FirmMonthly $500 – $2,500 per monthOffers more structured services, often with more expertise and flexibility.
Bookkeeping FirmTransactions BasedVaries depending on the transaction countFees depend on the number of transactions processed each month.
Full-Time In-House BookkeeperMonthly $3,000 – $4,500 per monthIt includes employee benefits and handles more comprehensive daily operations.
Outsourced BookkeeperMonthly $500 – $2,500 per monthProvides access to experienced professionals without full-time commitment.
Part-Time In-House BookkeeperHourly $21 – $23 per hourSuitable for small businesses needing support but not full-time assistance.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)Hourly $150 – $450 per hourEngaged in more complex accounting tasks, audits, or tax planning.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)Monthly $ 1000-$3000 per monthProvides in-depth financial reports, tax preparation, compliance, and strategic financial guidance. Ideal for businesses requiring advanced accounting services

Factors Affecting Bookkeeping Cost

Factors Affecting Bookkeeping Cost

Here are some of the important factors that affect your bookkeeping cost:

1. Geographical Differences

Geographic locations can sometimes play an important role in determining the cost of bookkeeping. Even in the whole USA, prices vary from state to state. 

Hiring a bookkeeper in New York can be more expensive than hiring a bookkeeper in Missouri. Self-employed bookkeepers may charge clients $35 or more per hour. However, rates vary greatly depending on the state.

For example, a freelance bookkeeper in India or other low-cost countries may charge less for their services than an independent bookkeeper in Europe or Canada.

2. Advanced Certifications

While bookkeepers don’t need to get any advanced accounting certifications or be certified CPA as a bookkeeper, there are still some good certifications they can gain to justify a higher fee.

Here are these 3 amazing pieces of perfection that bookkeepers can flaunt you to show their expertise: 

  1. American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)
  2. Nation Association of Certified Bookkeepers (NACPB) 
  3. QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification

Xero and some other accounting software have their own qualifications, which, once earned, allow them to show their expertise in their product. 

3. Accounts Complexity

Sometimes, the complexity of your business accounts can also cost you extra dollars and impact the cost of bookkeeping services. For example, Suppose you have several departments in your organization. In that case, if you are working on multiple projects or you have to go through legal compliance with the business most of the time due to the nature of your business, then yes, bookkeeping can cost you a bit. 

4. Expertise Required

The level of expertise and the complexities of operations also usually impact the cost of bookkeeping services. The more advanced and complex tax work is involved, the higher the cost your company will bear. 

Sometimes, your business may only need basic bookkeeping services, such as some sort of data entry and bank reconciliation task, while others may require more specialized professional services, like tax filing or preparation and financial analysis.

5. Clients Size

Large clients have multiple pieces of work compared to small clients. As time is the ultimate resource, bookkeepers sometimes group their clients and divide the time according to the services that are being provided to them. A bookkeeper may charge you while grouping your services and charge you on with the fixed fee billing amount.

Here is an example to make it more clear for you: 

  • A small client: less than 10 hours (monthly)
  • A medium client: between 10 and 20 hours (monthly)
  • A large client: over 20 hours (monthly)

Why Do You Think Bookkeeping Is Vital?

It would help if you had a lot of planning and coordination to run a small or medium-sized business successfully. It is an ongoing process. The End of a cycle leads to the beginning of a new one.

Accounting and bookkeeping are topics that slip through your fingers very easily. It is such a complicated task that business people tend to overlook its importance and don’t even know how much bookkeepers charge. Still, nobody can deny that it is one of the most important aspects of a business, irrespective of the organization you are running.

Balancing out the incomes and expenses of a business is the essence of bookkeeping, and failing to do so can cause severe threats to the owner. It can seriously impact your business’s growth. By hiring an accountant or a bookkeeper, you can save tons of time and minimize errors. You can use that time for other productive tasks in your business.

What Are The Types Of Bookkeeping?

Every business requires a certain degree of financial management services depending upon its industry, size, and other factors, such as the number of employees you possess and how long your business has existed.

Before appointing a bookkeeper, ask yourself if you need essential compliance or accounting assistance to enhance your business’s growth. After answering this question, proceed to the next step, which is to compare both options.

Both options have different rates and services. Therefore, it is a must to do thorough research before choosing any of them.

Let us discuss the differences between essential bookkeeping services and full-service Bookkeeping; we will try to help you choose the best option.

1. Basic Bookkeeping

If you are new to the business environment, basic Bookkeeping should be the appropriate option. Starting with essential Bookkeeping services can help your business comply with regulations and balance your accounts payable and receivables actions.

You can upgrade your Bookkeeping to the advanced level after determining a baseline for your revenue and the overhead.

Another question that comes to mind is, “What can we expect from basic bookkeeping services?”

  • Having financial compliance with the state government.
  • Having accounts receivable and payables.
  • Recording the transactions and holding files properly.
  • Having an essential payroll management

2. Full-service Bookkeeping

Businesses that have sustained for long have more employees or are expecting growth may need a more muscular bookkeeping system.

Full-service Bookkeeping can assist you with basic Bookkeeping, and also it can help you maximize your financial strategies and allow your business to make more profit.

What else can you anticipate from a full-service bookkeeper?

  • Expect a dedicated team for accounting.
  • Analyze financial status and growth possibilities with monthly reporting.
  • Tax planning and consultations.
  • Maintain appropriate financial statements and records.
  • Bank and account management.

After figuring out your bookkeeping cost and the importance of bookkeeping, you can also check here the duties performed by a bookkeeper: 

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

Bookkeepers record financial transactions and manage the organization’s day-to-day activities, such as recording transaction details, managing invoices, paying bills, reconciling bank transactions, tracking accounts payable and receivables, and processing payroll. They maintain accurate financial records by tracking revenue and expenses and ensuring all data is entered correctly into accounting software.

In a nutshell, a bookkeeper records your financial transactions and gathers data to generate general financial reports. Business owners can use these comprehensive financial reports and make more informed financial decisions, resulting in increased company development and profitability.

Bookkeepers also complete a few chores on a daily or monthly basis.

These tasks may include:

  • Data entry
  • Paying bills
  • Recording transactions, expenses, and other financial activity
  • Managing invoices, payments, and vendor bills
  • Managing payroll, paying taxes
  • Ensuring compliance for employees and contractors
  • Provide clients with weekly & monthly reports
  • Accounts receivable reports on a weekly basis
  • Accounts payable reports on a weekly basis
  • Statement of cash flow 
  • Custom reports 
  • Inventory Management 
  • Manage the chart of accounts
  • Debit/credit card reconciliation
  • Balance sheet on a monthly basis. 
  • Profit and Loss on a monthly basis. 
  • Budgeting Reports 
  • 1099 preparation 
  • Keeping clients and vendors list
  • Organizing and creating important documents

Apart from this, keeping all the data organized is one of the most important tasks of a bookkeeper so that when tax filing season arrives, you can easily access all the data. 

What Does Not Come Under Bookkeeper Task?

  • Forecasting 
  • Tax strategies 
  • Investment Planning 
  • Legal compliance issues 
  • Handling payroll taxes 
  • Determine the correct coding for transactions
  • Performing worker’s compensation audits
  • Prepare 990
  • Collections

How To Look For Suitable Bookkeeping Services For Your Business?

By this point, you must have got some insight into the bookkeeping services and their costs and the sort of Bookkeeping services that your firm requires; before jumping to the hiring process, we suggest you consider the factors mentioned below:

# Financial Tools

Your business could already utilize some financial tools and software; adding more applications will not benefit it.

Whether you need in-house or outsourced bookkeeping agency services, you need someone who can utilize the tools suitable to your business.

# Industry-specific Account Management

It is essential to look for a person who is well aware of your industry and its regulations. For example, a hotel’s financial management requirement is different from one in a hospital.

A person who understands your industry can better manage your financial data than those who are new to this field.

# Tax Saving And Revenue

Taxes can give goosebumps to some people, but organizing them properly for yourself and your business can be a whole new management level. A professional bookkeeper can assist you with your year-end tax return and contribute to your revenue growth.

Conclusion

Hiring a bookkeeper depends on your bookkeeping needs. Start by analyzing all the factors and deciding what services you need.

You can also avail of eBetterBooks online bookkeeping services that include accounting, online bookkeeping, taxation, and financial reporting at a package-based bookkeeping pricing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I hire a bookkeeper or do it myself?

Hiring a bookkeeper or managing bookkeeping yourself requires a basic understanding of bookkeeping operations. As your business grows, bookkeeping can become time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, consider hiring bookkeeping services or employing an in-house bookkeeper.

What is considered a full-charge bookkeeper?

A full-charge bookkeeper is a one who records complex financial transactions, manages all the accounting and bookkeeping needs such as managing ( payroll, sales taxes), creating and maintaining all types of financial reports, and guides you in your tax and accounting compliance of the business. 

How much does a bookkeeper charge per hour in the USA?

In the USA, a bookkeeper may charge between $30 and $90 per hour, depending sometimes on the amount of time spent or the complexity of the task performed. 

How much do bookkeepers charge in the USA?

A bookkeeper may charge $3,000 to $4,500 per month. If you choose outsourced bookkeeping services, the price for basic bookkeeping tasks can start from $500 to $2,500 per month.