Bookkeeping Prices for Small Business: What to Expect in 2025

A client told us, “No more guessing my bill—I can plan my life again.” Predictability rocks. A business started with a $200 freelancer, then switched to a $700 agency as needs grew. We charged a client $700 to untangle a year of chaos—worth it, but ouch. Book a call with our team and find out how our Pricing Collection can completely change your bookkeeping business. You can always change your price structure as you go or adjust your client workload to optimize your profit margins.

Size of client

For example, you could charge an hourly rate for some services and a flat rate for others. Just be sure to be transparent in your engagement letter so both you and your client are clear on the pricing structure and terms. One standard pricing structure is to charge an hourly rate, which is what accounting firms traditionally used and many still use today. A large corporation may place a higher value on bookkeeping services that help them stay compliant with government regulations and audits. They may be willing to pay a higher rate for bookkeepers with specialized training or certification in auditing and accounting.

Discussed options for my business with Brian and he was very helpful in suggesting how best to handle it. Nick Charveron is a licensed tax practitioner, Co-Founder & Partner of Community Tax, LLC. His Enrolled Agent designation is the highest tax credential offered by the U.S Department of Treasury, providing unrestricted practice rights before the IRS. Trusted by thousands of businesses – see what our customers say. Whether you want to charge $250 or $750/month-you own the margin.

• Otherwise, hourly rates can help you only pay for what you need.
• Offering bookkeeping service packages at different tiers, such as gold, silver and bronze, is a great way to offer different pricing to clients of different sizes and needs.
• Many businesses discover that combining different service types provides the most cost-effective solution.
• Most bookkeepers who competitively price their services focus on tasks and time.

Effective digital marketing and SEO are the keys to attracting ideal clients from areas outside of your local boundaries. This is a form of life hacking known as geo-arbitrage, where remote workers live in low-cost areas while commanding high-paying urban salaries. The right price depends heavily on your offerings and your market.

The Time / Money Sacrifice

For another great article about billing for bookkeeping services by the hour, check out this post over at Fit Small Business. All bookkeepers provide a certain set of tasks, so it’s hard to charge a premium for something other bookkeepers are also offering. Instead, let’s talk about the different ways to charge for bookkeeping services.

Virtual bookkeepers work remotely and are typically contractors. Since they’re not on site, you won’t work as closely with them. But if they get the job done, that trade-off might be worth the savings. On the upside, this lets them become familiar with your business’s ins and outs.

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The thing that takes the most time with this client is the invoicing. They have a system outside of QuickBooks that is HIPPA compliant, which are the rules in the United States that you need to follow if you keep any medical information about your patients. Based on your discovery call with the client, you should have an idea of how “painful” their current bookkeeping processes are for them. For this step, you just need to list out the services, support, and technology for each tier, like the example below. For instance, Client A, who hates bookkeeping, will pay more than Client B, who doesn’t mind it.

• As we have seen in the article, the charges are dependent on a variety of factors that the bookkeepers have to consider.
• This approach not only eliminates the need to track time and inputs constantly, but it also allows us to focus on the results for our clients.
• They can manage daily transactions and tax preparation at lower costs than in the U.S.

The complexity of the bookkeeping services you provide can significantly influence your rates. Simple tasks like data entry and reconciliation may warrant lower fees, while more complex services such as financial analysis, tax preparation, or consulting should be priced higher. Online subscription services have become popular, typically costing between $300 and $700 monthly. These platforms combine automated tools with professional bookkeeper support, offering a tech-savvy solution for modern businesses.

HOW TO START A BOOKKEEPING BUSINESS

Explore our white-label bookkeeping program for CPA firms, or learn how we handle QuickBooks cleanup during tax crunch season. We give you a private CRM dashboard where your clients upload statements. Our trained team does the bookkeeping in the background-your firm stays the face.

Introverted bookkeepers: how to confidently talk to prospective clients

When considering bookkeeping costs, businesses must evaluate their needs based on transaction volume, payroll processing, and reporting requirements. Below is a breakdown of the different bookkeeping options and their average monthly costs. This can add up quickly, especially if your business is growing and needs more support. In addition to the monthly bookkeeping charge, you should also charge a one-time setup fee to set up the client’s books. This is especially important if you choose fixed monthly fee pricing, as the setup can be time-consuming and outside the scope of monthly bookkeeping. The third option is to price your services based on their value to your clients.

During the initial phase, typically taking one to two weeks, businesses should conduct a comprehensive audit of their current financial systems and processes. This audit provides crucial insights into existing workflows and helps identify potential challenges before they arise. Identifying key stakeholders and their roles during this time ensures clear accountability throughout the transition.

Many bookkeeping firms offer package deals based on transaction volume and services required. Basic plans start at $200 to $500 per month, while more comprehensive packages, including payroll and tax preparation, can exceed $2,500 per month. Bookkeeping services can be charged hourly, on a flat monthly fee, or as part of a subscription-based model. Hourly rates typically range from $20 to $100, depending on experience and location. Monthly packages can start as low as $200 for basic bookkeeping and go up to $2,500 or more for full-service financial management. Outsourced solutions, in contrast, often provide more flexible pricing structures that can scale with your business needs.

How Much Do Accountants and Bookkeepers Cost for a Small Business?

Ian came into professional services in 1999 via the banking industry and moved into regional mortgage operations management. He remained active in the banking sector as an operations manager through 2011. Beth joined our advanced planning team as a seasoned administrative professional with over 16 years of experience supporting C-suite executives in the financial services industry. Additionally, Beth enjoys and is very much dedicated to how much to charge for bookkeeping serving as a client concierge, providing best-in-class service to all advanced planning clients.