How Much Bookkeepers Charge

An in-house bookkeeper can be beneficial if you need consistent, hands-on support to manage your finances. They only work for you, so over time, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of the ins and outs of your financial operations. Becoming a bookkeeper can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path, with opportunities for growth and success in your small business.

Per Project

• Hourly wages for in-house bookkeepers range from $20.64 to $33.89, depending on the geographic location.
• Hourly rates for bookkeepers vary by location, education, experience, type of service, and more.
• In-house accounting, on the other hand, gives you peace of mind knowing that someone you know and trust is handling your books and financials.
• Pricing for online bookkeeping services is often based on a subscription model or flat monthly fee, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.
• According to a survey by ZipRecruiter, the average freelance bookkeeper hourly rate is $22.75 per hour, but these rates vary from one state to the next.

Allocate resources to professional development, marketing, and business tools to support your growth. Also, be sure to what is a bookkeeper monitor your financials and client satisfaction to ensure your pricing strategy is effective and sustainable. Consider offering existing clients the option to continue at their current rate for a limited time or transition to a new service package. We recommend QuickBooks Online, which we ranked as the overall best small business accounting software.

• If your business is smaller, you may not need as much help, so you might be able to keep your costs lower.
• Consider value-based pricing that reflects the benefits you deliver to clients.
• For example, during times of uncertainty, businesses might explore new markets, invest in different assets, or restructure their operations.
• Income for online bookkeepers and freelance bookkeepers may vary depending on several factors, such as experience, skills, location, client base, and the types of services that they offer.
• States like Massachusetts and Washington have the highest hourly rates for bookkeepers at $40+/hour.

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)

But, this cost can vary based on additional factors such as your bookkeeping needs and where you run your business. The course should cover bookkeeping basics, accounting principles, software applications, and other skills required to be a successful professional cash flow bookkeeper. For instance, if you provide a wide range of services, you can charge higher rates than someone who offers only one or two services. Education is also a factor that bookkeeping clients consider when determining how much they’re willing to pay for bookkeeping services. If you’re an entry-level bookkeeper, you’ll likely need to charge lower rates until you’ve built up a portfolio of clients and established a reputation for yourself.

Factors That Affect How Much You Charge

Let’s take a look at each option so you can decide which one might be right for your operations. The type of bookkeeping services you offer can also affect how much you charge for an average hourly rate. Whether or not you’re self-employed is a major factor in how much you make as a bookkeeper. For W2 workers, the average hourly rates are closer to $20/hour, while self-employed bookkeepers earn closer to $30/hour. Determine the value you provide to clients and price your services accordingly. Create different service packages at various price points to cater to different client needs and budgets.

For example, if you have the time to handle bookkeeping yourself, you might continue to do so to save money. On the other hand, if you’d like to use the time you spend bookkeeping focusing on other aspects of your business, then the cost of a bookkeeper may be worth it. In-house accounting, on the other hand, gives you peace of mind knowing that someone you know and trust is handling your books and financials. The only drawback of paying a full-time accountant is that you may need to offer them employee benefits. By taking courses and getting certified, you can land clients as a self-employed bookkeeper and build a successful bookkeeping business from scratch. It demonstrates to potential clients that you’ve met a certain standard of knowledge and skills, boosting their confidence in your capabilities.

You’ll see variations of that range across the internet, with Indeed.com reporting a range of $15 to $30 per hour. And self-employed bookkeepers make an average of $38/hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Once all certification requirements have been met, you’ll earn the designation Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB), which you can include on your business cards and marketing materials. Upon completion of all certification requirements, you’ll earn the designation of Certified Bookkeeper (CB), which you can include on your business cards and marketing materials. There is no magic number to know when you’re ready to take on a Partnership Accounting bookkeeper for additional support.

Which states have the highest freelance bookkeeping rates?

To make your profile shine, emphasize your certifications, relevant experience, and testimonials from satisfied clients. Remember that many bookkeepers use these platforms, so making your profile stand out with your unique qualifications is key to attracting clients and launching your career. You’ll have the opportunity to bid on bookkeeping jobs offered by clients worldwide.

• Advances in accounting software and automation tools can increase efficiency and reduce the time required for certain tasks.
• You can also charge for an initial consult, a flat fee to see what services they’d need before getting into the project.
• Because this type of service requires a lot of industry-specific knowledge, you’ll be able to charge a higher rate than on typical bookkeeping engagements.
• And now that you know the answer to the question “How much does a bookkeeper cost?

Your profile is your chance to connect with more clients than you could find on your own. Many reputable websites offer bookkeeping courses online with flexible schedules and affordable fees. Certification is optional to be a bookkeeper, but it can affect how much you charge per hour as a bookkeeper. Clients are often willing to pay more for bookkeepers who have degrees related to your projects. Another factor that affects how much you can charge as a bookkeeper is your level of experience. Additionally, bookkeepers in small towns may have less competition for jobs, which means they can still charge a fair rate while bringing in customers.

• If you have a larger operation, a bookkeeper will have more to handle, which may mean higher costs.
• Other factors that can impact the hourly rate include the freelance bookkeeper’s level of education, certifications obtained, such as QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and the software used.
• Bundle related services into packages to provide comprehensive solutions and justify higher prices.
• If you only need basic services like client billing and documentation, a good solution may be accounting software that can assist you if you still want to play a more hands-on role.
• The QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification program is ideal for freelance bookkeepers because it allows you to get certified for free with no strings attached.

Instead, it’s more of a holistic view of time, resources, and the ability to become more efficient that will make or break your decision. You have several options for handling your bookkeeping, but some important factors can influence the cost. While these exact figures can change over time, the cost comparisons of covering your bookkeeping and accounting needs can vary greatly depending on the type of individual you hire. Additionally, a bookkeeper may work with an accountant, who is responsible for more advanced tasks such as assessing the health of a business or generating financial statements.