How Much Should You Really Spend on Bookkeeping Services in 2025
Most small business owners don’t actually want to do their own books. They just don’t know what a fair price is to have someone else do it.
You Google around, see quotes from $150 a month to $1,200 a month, and wonder if everyone’s making up numbers.
Here’s the truth: bookkeeping prices vary, but the right service should pay for itself in saved time, better decisions, and cleaner tax returns. Let’s break down what you should expect to spend and what you’re actually getting for your money.
What Bookkeeping Really Includes
Good bookkeeping isn’t just sorting receipts. It’s the ongoing process of:
Recording and categorizing all your transactions
Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
Generating monthly financial statements
Cleaning up errors and chasing missing documents
Preparing your books for tax time
When done right, your books should tell you at a glance how much money is coming in, where it’s going, and what you owe.
Average Cost of Bookkeeping Services in 2025
Here’s a general idea of what most businesses pay each month:
If you’re a solo business or side hustle with fewer than 100 transactions per month, you’ll usually spend around $250 to $300 per month.
A small business with 1 to 5 employees and 100–500 transactions per month typically pays $300 to $600 per month.
A growing business that manages multiple bank accounts, payroll, or inventory (about 500 to 1,000 transactions monthly) often falls between $600 and $900 per month.
A mid-size company with complex reporting or multi-state operations can expect to pay $900 to $1,500 or more per month, depending on volume and needs.
If you need extras like catch-up bookkeeping, sales tax filings, or monthly CFO-style reporting, your total cost will be higher, but so will the value and peace of mind.
DIY, In-House, or Outsourced: Which Costs Less?
DIY (Do It Yourself)
Tools like QuickBooks Online make it possible, but you’ll spend 5 – 10 hours a month doing the work. If your time is worth $75 an hour, that’s $375 – $750 in lost time — not including mistakes.In-House Bookkeeper
Hiring an employee averages $45,000 – $60,000 a year plus benefits. That only makes sense once your business is large enough to need full-time financial management.Outsourced Bookkeeping Firm
A professional firm (like Red Leaf Bookkeeping) usually offers the best balance. Expert help at a fraction of the cost of an employee, with scalable pricing as your business grows.
Signs You’re Paying Too Much (or Too Little)
You’re paying too much if you never see reports, can’t get questions answered, or don’t understand what your bookkeeper actually does.
You’re paying too little if your books are constantly late, messy, or full of uncategorized transactions. Cheap bookkeeping often leads to expensive tax prep later.
The sweet spot is a partner who handles everything promptly, communicates clearly, and keeps your accountant happy at tax time.
Why Price Shouldn’t Be the Only Factor
When choosing a bookkeeper, don’t just compare the monthly fee — compare peace of mind.
A good bookkeeper saves you time, catches issues early, and helps you make smarter business moves.
If they’re saving you several hours a week or helping you avoid IRS penalties, they’re not a cost — they’re an asset.
The Bottom Line
In 2025, most small businesses should budget $300 – $600 a month for reliable, professional bookkeeping.
That range covers clean monthly books, accurate reports, and responsive support: everything you need to stay tax-ready and focused on growth.
If you’re spending hours sorting transactions or second-guessing your numbers, it’s time to upgrade.
Need help getting clear, accurate books without breaking your budget?
At Red Leaf Bookkeeping, we help small business owners and solopreneurs manage QuickBooks Online the right way, with simple pricing, clean books, and reports you’ll actually understand.