How Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost?

Kimberly Green | 2025-05-03

Hiring a bookkeeper is one of the smartest moves a business owner can make—but how much will it actually cost? The short answer: it depends on your business stage, complexity, and what you need done. This post breaks it all down: Hourly vs monthly vs flat-rate pricing What affects bookkeeping rates How much to budget When cheap becomes expensive Typical Bookkeeping Costs Here’s a breakdown of average rates across the U.S.: Service Type Typical Cost Freelance Bookkeeper $25-$50/hour Monthly Retainer (Remote) $300-$900/month Boutique Firm $1,000-$2,000/month On-Site Full-Time Bookkeeper $45,000-$65,000/year + benefits What Influences Price? Complexity of your business Do you have payroll? Inventory? Multiple bank accounts? Volume of transactions More activity = more reconciliation work Cleanliness of your current books If your books are a mess, you’ll pay for cleanup Frequency of service Weekly categorization = more expensive than monthly Industry specialization Real estate, eCom, and crypto require more skill How to Think About ROI “If you're making $250K+ and still doing your own books, you’re losing money every month—either in lost time, missed deductions, or bad data.” — Kimi, Co-founder of Sam’s List Good bookkeeping can: Save you thousands in taxes Free up 10+ hours/month Give you better insights to grow And bad or DIY bookkeeping? It costs you—just not in ways that show up on your P&L. FAQ How much should a small business pay for bookkeeping? Most small businesses pay between $300–$1,000/month depending on needs. Is it cheaper to outsource bookkeeping? Yes—outsourcing is often cheaper than hiring a full-time employee and can scale with your business. Is a bookkeeper worth the cost? Absolutely. A good bookkeeper can save you more than they cost—especially at tax time. You Might Also Like: 1. DIY vs Outsourced Bookkeeping 2. Stop Doing Your Own Bookkeeping 3. Bookkeeping for Solopreneurs Author: Kimi, Co-founder of Sam's List Kimi writes about what she's learning while building Sam's List and shares honest takeaways from her conversations with accountants and financial advisors across the country. None of this is financial advice—just the stuff most people wish someone told them sooner.

Find & Review Financial Professionals

Sam's List is a vetted directory of CPAs, bookkeepers, financial advisors, and fractional CFOs. Browse verified reviews, transparent pricing, and real client outcomes — with no referral fees and no pay-to-play rankings.

Sam's List — find vetted CPAs, bookkeepers, financial advisors, and fractional CFOs with verified client reviews — Vetted financial professionals, trusted by founders and high-net-worth individuals.

Browse by profession

Get matched

Take the 30-second matching quiz to get introduced to vetted professionals who fit your situation.

Read reviews

Write a verified review of a professional you've worked with, or browse existing reviews on any firm's profile.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sam's List?

Sam's List is a curated directory of vetted financial professionals including accountants, CPAs, financial advisors, bookkeepers, and fractional CFOs. We help business owners and high net worth individuals find the right professional through verified reviews, detailed profiles, and a matching quiz that connects you with professionals based on your needs, industry, and financial profile.

How does Sam's List vet the professionals on the platform?

Every professional on Sam's List goes through a review process before being listed. We review their credentials, confirm they are actively practicing, and monitor their client reviews over time. Unlike directories that let anyone pay to be listed, we maintain quality standards so the professionals you see are legitimate and reputable.

Are the reviews on Sam's List real?

Yes. Every review on Sam's List is submitted by someone who has interacted with that firm. We do not allow firms to remove negative reviews or manipulate their ratings. Every reviewer must authenticate through LinkedIn, Google, or Twitter before submitting a review. No anonymous reviews are allowed.

How is Sam's List different from other financial professional directories?

Most other platforms take 5-10% of your annual contract when you hire a firm through them, sometimes in perpetuity. Sam's List takes zero referral fees and zero commissions. Our reviews are verified through social authentication and cannot be removed by the firm, and our matching quiz recommends professionals based on your specific situation rather than who paid the most for visibility.

Does it cost anything to use Sam's List?

No. Sam's List is completely free for anyone searching for a financial professional. You can browse profiles, read reviews, take the matching quiz, and contact professionals at no cost.