How Much Does It Cost to Have a Bookkeeper?
TLDR:
Bookkeeping for small businesses costs anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per month.
Flat-rate monthly packages are better than per-transaction pricing because they provide predictability and more value.
Bookkeepers handle reporting, fraud detection, reconciliations, and more–not just categorizing transactions.
A bookkeeper isn’t a CPA, but they should collaborate with your CPA for accurate and stress-free tax preparation.
Hiring a professional bookkeeper saves time, prevents costly errors, and gives business owners clarity.
As a small business owner, you’ve probably wondered: How much does it cost to have a bookkeeper?
It’s one of the most common questions I get during consultation calls. The answer depends on your business size, transaction volume, and how involved your bookkeeper is. But here’s the truth most people don’t hear: the cost of not having a good bookkeeper is often much higher than hiring one.
Let’s break down what small business bookkeeping costs really look like, and what you should expect for your money.
Does a Small Business Need a Bookkeeper?
I’ve worked with dozens of small businesses, from landscaping companies and design firms to online entrepreneurs. And every single one of them, no matter how small, has benefited from having proper bookkeeping help.
Even when you’re running a lean operation, bookkeeping isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about protection.
One of my clients had frequent small expenses in their QuickBooks bank feed from places like Apple and Amazon. At first, they didn’t think much of it. But as I reviewed the transactions month after month, I noticed the amounts were slowly increasing. That’s when I realized something wasn’t right.
In some cases, it was identity theft: small, unrecognized charges that added up over time. Other times, it was an employee using the company card for personal expenses. In one particularly memorable situation, an employee purchased a personal massage gun from a spa supply store and tried to categorize it as “computer equipment.”
A lazy bookkeeper would’ve clicked “office supplies” and moved on. I didn’t. I asked questions, requested receipts, and uncovered the issue before it spiraled into real damage.
That’s why every small business needs a bookkeeper. You need someone in your corner who catches problems before they become expensive.
How Much Do You Charge for Bookkeeping Per Month?
The average bookkeeping cost for small businesses ranges from $300 to $1,000+ per month, depending on your size and complexity. My own packages start at $324.99 for the Essentials Package and go up depending on the level of support and complexity needed.
Some bookkeepers charge per transaction. That might sound cheaper, but it’s actually a skillful trap. Per-transaction pricing can skyrocket as your business grows. Worse, it often covers only categorization: i.e. no financial reports, no reconciliations, and no fraud detection.
My packages, on the other hand, are transparent and built for stability. Each one includes financial reporting, account reconciliations, support for automations, and context-driven insights about your numbers. I don’t just input data; I review it, interpret it, and often do the extra legwork. Even if that means a few extra Google searches or calls to verify a vendor, double-checking automation rules, or asking your CPA the right questions, I’m on it.
You can read more about the different pricing structures and what each includes in my detailed blog on bookkeeping pricing options.
Predictable, professional bookkeeping keeps you compliant and it helps you grow with confidence.
What Is Considered a Full-Charge Bookkeeper?
A full-charge bookkeeper is someone who manages all aspects of your day-to-day financial recordkeeping, not just transactions. They handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, reconciliations, and monthly reports. They’re also the person who communicates directly with your CPA to make sure everything aligns for tax season.
In short, a full-charge bookkeeper is your financial backbone.
I take pride in offering that level of comprehensive support. My goal is to ensure every client—whether they’re running a creative business, a service-based company, or an online brand—feels confident that their books are complete, current, and telling the right story.
This kind of proactive bookkeeping is what helps you identify trends early, prevent fraud, and avoid surprise tax bills. It’s also what separates part-time bookkeeping work from true professional bookkeeping service.
What Is the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and an Accountant?
This is one of the most common questions I hear, and it’s an important one.
A bookkeeper manages your daily financial operations: entering transactions, reconciling accounts, creating reports, and giving you real-time insight into your financial health. An accountant, on the other hand, typically steps in for higher-level financial analysis and tax filing.
Think of it like this: bookkeeping keeps your car running smoothly day-to-day, while accounting is the mechanic who tunes the engine at year-end. You need both, but they serve different roles.
The best results come when your bookkeeper and accountant work together. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I make sure my clients’ books are accurate, organized, and ready for their CPA. That collaboration saves time, reduces stress, and ensures no one’s scrambling during tax season.
If you want a deeper look at how good bookkeeping practices can make that relationship stronger, check out my blog on what makes a good bookkeeper vs. a bad one.
Should I Hire a Bookkeeper or an Accountant?
For most small businesses, hiring a bookkeeper first is the smarter move. Your day-to-day transactions, invoices, payroll, and reporting need to be correct long before you hand anything to an accountant. We can set up your chart of accounts to be sustainable and ready for scaling.
Accountants rely on clean, accurate bookkeeping to file taxes and prepare year-end financials. Without that foundation, even the best accountant can’t save you from messy books.
When clients come to me after struggling with DIY systems or inconsistent bookkeepers, the relief they feel after seeing clean, organized financials is enormous. You deserve that peace of mind, and that starts with proper bookkeeping.
Can You Do Bookkeeping Without a CPA?
Technically, yes. But if you want accurate, compliant, and reliable books, the answer is no, not effectively.
Bookkeepers don’t replace CPAs, and CPAs don’t replace bookkeepers. The two roles are complementary. A good bookkeeper collaborates with your CPA, preparing accurate records and communicating throughout the year to ensure consistency.
I’ve built relationships with many CPAs in Florida, and that collaboration means when tax time arrives, everything is smooth. No surprises. No last-minute cleanup.
If you’ve ever wondered how that partnership should look, my blog on how to spot a good bookkeeper vs. a bad one walks through exactly what that collaboration entails.
For another trusted perspective, QuickBooks also provides excellent guidance on the importance of aligning bookkeeping and accounting.
The Real Cost of Clarity
So, how much does it cost to have a bookkeeper? Enough to make your business run smoother, safer, and smarter. The true value is in knowing your numbers are accurate, your reports are clear, and your business is protected from mistakes or fraud.
If you’ve been feeling unsure about your bookkeeping, now’s the time to take action. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation and let’s review your setup together. I’ll help you see exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to simplify everything before the new year.
And if your books haven’t been touched in a while, don’t worry, cleanup services are available to get you back on track before tax season. Transparency today means easier decisions tomorrow.
Book your free 15-minute consult here
Because clarity is the foundation for growth.