Bookkeeping Cost · Verified Directory
Know what bookkeeping should cost before you hire
Typical bookkeeping pricing and cost expectations for small businesses, startups, and growing companies. Understand hourly rates, monthly packages, and what drives the price.
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Monthly packages
Typical bookkeeping packages
Most outsourced bookkeepers package by transaction volume and account count. Use these as a starting benchmark.
Starter
$300–$500
per month
Solo founders and side businesses with one bank and one card.
- Up to 100 transactions / month
- Monthly bank + card reconciliation
- Cash-basis P&L and balance sheet
- Year-end CPA-ready package
Growth
$600–$1,200
per month
Established small businesses with payroll and a few accounts.
- Up to 300 transactions / month
- Multiple bank, card, and merchant accounts
- Payroll sync (Gusto, ADP, etc.)
- Monthly close + variance review
- Quarterly check-in call
Scale
$1,500–$2,500+
per month
Multi-entity, inventory, or accrual-basis operations.
- 500+ transactions / month
- Multi-entity / multi-location consolidation
- Inventory & COGS tracking
- Accrual adjustments + deferrals
- Dedicated bookkeeper + controller review
By business size
What you'll likely pay
Ranges reflect typical U.S. market pricing. Your CPA or provider will scope a specific number.
| Business size | Monthly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo / side business | $200–$400 | Cash-basis, one bank, simple categorization |
| Small business (1–10 employees) | $400–$1,000 | Payroll, multiple accounts, basic reporting |
| Growing business ($1M–$5M rev) | $1,000–$2,000 | Accrual, departmental P&L, monthly close |
| Mid-market ($5M–$25M rev) | $2,000–$5,000+ | Multi-entity, inventory, controller oversight |
What drives the price
Software comparison
DIY tools vs. hiring a pro
Software is cheaper up front, but the right pro typically pays for themselves through error prevention and tax savings.
| Software | Price | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | $30–$235/mo | Most small businesses | Industry standard; deep ecosystem of apps and bookkeepers. |
| Xero | $15–$78/mo | International and project-based businesses | Cleaner UX, strong for service businesses and global teams. |
| Wave | Free–$16/mo | Freelancers and solo founders | Free core accounting; paid payroll add-on. Limited scaling. |
| FreshBooks | $19–$60/mo | Service-based solopreneurs | Best-in-class invoicing; lighter on inventory and accrual. |
| Bench / Pilot (full service) | $300–$2,000/mo | Owners who want hands-off | Bundled software + bookkeeper. Less flexible than hiring direct. |
By city
Find Bookkeeping Cost by city
Houston, TX
Houston CPAs serve energy, healthcare, and the city's vast small-business community.
Dallas, TX
Dallas accounting firms anchor finance, real estate, and corporate headquarters across DFW.
Los Angeles, CA
LA's accountants specialize in entertainment, real estate, and creative-industry tax planning.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco CPAs serve startups, venture-backed companies, and complex equity-comp clients.
New York City, NY
NYC's accountants cover Wall Street, media, real estate, hospitality, and the small businesses of all five boroughs.
Miami, FL
Miami's CPAs specialize in international tax, real estate, hospitality, and Latin American business.
Chicago, IL
Chicago accountants serve professional services, manufacturing, logistics, and the Midwest's largest corporate base.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's CPAs support film, fintech, logistics, and one of the country's most dynamic small-business scenes.
Boston, PA
Boston-area accountants serve life sciences, higher education, financial services, and innovation-economy startups.
Seattle, WA
Seattle CPAs serve tech, aerospace, and the Pacific Northwest's deep entrepreneurial bench.
Common questions
About bookkeeping cost
How much does a bookkeeper cost per month?+
For small businesses with under 200 transactions/month, expect $300–$800/month. At 500+ transactions, multi-entity, or inventory, monthly fees often run $1,000–$2,500.
Is it cheaper to hire in-house or outsourced bookkeeping?+
Outsourced is usually cheaper under $2M in revenue — no benefits, training, or software overhead. In-house makes sense when you need daily on-site support or have 10+ employees.
What makes bookkeeping more expensive?+
High transaction volume, multiple bank accounts or credit cards, inventory/COGS tracking, intercompany transactions, accrual-basis requirements, and catch-up/cleanup work.
This information is general and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.