How much does a bookkeeper cost for a small business?
Small business bookkeeping typically runs $200 to $600 per month for basic services. The wide range reflects differences in transaction volume, industry complexity, and what’s actually included in the monthly fee. A solo consultant with 30 transactions looks very different from a restaurant processing hundreds of transactions across multiple payment systems.
Transaction volume is the biggest factor in pricing. More bank accounts, credit cards, and payment processors mean more reconciliation work. A business running $50,000 through one checking account and one credit card takes less time than one running $300,000 through multiple accounts with PayPal, Stripe, and a POS system all feeding in.
Industry matters because some businesses need more than basic bookkeeping. Construction companies need job costing to know if they’re making money on each project. Restaurants deal with tip reporting, inventory, and food cost tracking. Professional services firms often need detailed project profitability analysis. A small business bookkeeper who understands your industry captures what matters instead of just recording transactions.
What’s included in monthly bookkeeping varies significantly between providers. Some bookkeepers only handle transaction entry and bank reconciliation. Others include monthly financial statements, chart of accounts review, and regular check-ins to discuss your numbers. Understanding what you’re getting matters as much as the price itself.
Additional services usually cost extra. Payroll setup and processing, accounts receivable follow-up, sales tax filing, and tax preparation are typically separate line items. A $300/month bookkeeping fee can become $500 or more once you add the extras you actually need. Ask what’s included before comparing prices.
The cheapest option often costs more in the long run. A bookkeeper who doesn’t understand your industry produces financial statements that are technically balanced but don’t tell you anything useful. You can’t make good decisions from reports that don’t track what matters for your specific business.
Some business owners try handling books themselves to save money. If you’re spending 8 to 10 hours a month on bookkeeping instead of serving clients or growing your business, you’re probably not saving anything. And if the DIY approach creates a mess, cleanup work often costs more than professional monthly service would have.
The real question isn’t just what bookkeeping costs. It’s whether you’re getting accurate financials that help you understand your business and clean records that make tax time straightforward instead of stressful.
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More Questions
How do I know if my books are accurate?
Start with bank reconciliation. If your accounts match your statements to the penny, that's the foundation. Then check that balance sheet accounts reflect reality and your profit numbers match how the business actually performed.
Read answerHow do I track business expenses properly?
Separate business and personal finances completely, record expenses promptly with the right category, and save receipts digitally. Reconcile your accounts weekly to catch mistakes while you still remember what happened.
Read answerWhat is bank reconciliation and why does it matter?
Bank reconciliation matches your accounting records to your bank statement to confirm they agree. It catches errors, detects fraud, and ensures your financial reports reflect reality. Without it, you don't actually know how much money you have.
Read answerHow do I separate business and personal expenses?
Open a dedicated business bank account and use it exclusively for business transactions. Add a business credit card, pay yourself intentionally, and keep personal spending completely out of business accounts.
Read answerWhat is the chart of accounts and how do I set one up?
A chart of accounts is the list of categories where your business transactions get recorded. Most accounting software includes a template based on your industry, so you customize that rather than building from scratch.
Read answerWhat records should I keep for my small business?
Keep financial records like bank statements, receipts, and invoices for at least seven years. You'll also need tax returns, business formation documents, contracts, and employee records if you have staff.
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