How much does a bookkeeper cost for a small business?
Small business bookkeeping runs between $200 and $600 per month for standard services. The actual cost depends on how many transactions you have, how many bank and credit card accounts need reconciling, and whether your business has specialized accounting needs.
Transaction volume drives most of the price difference. A consulting firm with 50 transactions per month takes less work than a contractor with 300 transactions across multiple accounts and payment processors. More credit cards, more bank accounts, and more complexity all require more time.
Industry matters because some businesses need more than basic categorization. Full-service bookkeeping for a straightforward service business looks different than what a general contractor needs. Contractors require job costing to see margins by project. Restaurants need tip reporting and food cost tracking. The more specialized your requirements, the higher the investment.
What you get for the monthly fee varies by provider. Some handle only transaction entry and bank reconciliation. Others include monthly financial statements, accounts receivable follow-up, and variance reporting. Payroll is usually separate, typically $75 to $150 per pay run depending on headcount. Tax preparation is almost always billed separately, usually $800 to $2,000 for small business returns.
The cheapest bookkeeper isn’t always the best value. Someone who doesn’t understand your industry can produce books that are technically accurate but don’t help you run your business. If you need job-level profitability or cash flow visibility, generic bookkeeping won’t get you there.
Many business owners try doing their own books to save money. They spend 8 to 10 hours monthly on it, make mistakes that don’t surface until tax time, and miss trends that could improve operations. At what those hours are worth, DIY bookkeeping often costs more than hiring help. And when the books need cleaning up later, the fix costs more than professional bookkeeping services in MetroWest would have cost from the start.
The real question is whether accurate financial information helps you make better decisions. For most small businesses, having reliable numbers and knowing where the money goes is worth the monthly investment.
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More Questions
What does a bookkeeper do for a small business?
A bookkeeper records transactions, reconciles accounts, categorizes expenses, and produces financial statements that show how your business is actually doing. They keep your records accurate month to month so you have clarity on profits, cash flow, and what you owe.
Read answerWhat questions should I ask before hiring a bookkeeper?
Ask about their industry experience, monthly process, software proficiency, communication style, and pricing structure. The right questions reveal whether a bookkeeper will actually meet your needs or create more problems than they solve.
Read answerWhat's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeepers record and organize your financial transactions on an ongoing basis. Accountants analyze that information, prepare tax returns, and provide strategic advice. Most small businesses need both, but you'll work with your bookkeeper more frequently.
Read answerHow often should a small business do bookkeeping?
Monthly is the absolute minimum for accurate books. Weekly transaction review catches errors while they're fresh and prevents the dreaded backlog. Most small businesses benefit from consistent monthly closes with weekly check-ins during busy periods.
Read answerWhen should I hire a bookkeeper for my small business?
Most small business owners wait too long. If you're months behind on reconciliation, stressed at tax time, or spending evenings on QuickBooks instead of running your business, you're already past the point where a bookkeeper makes sense.
Read answer