How Much Bookkeepers Charge?

Understanding current bookkeeping prices in 2025 will assist future decisions about hiring this service. The businesses in the United Kingdom will face a crucial dilemma about bookkeeping costs in 2025. This question confuses business owners about how much bookkeepers charge.

Different methods available for bookkeepers to bill their clients will be discussed as part of this explanation. This article presents you with basic information about how much bookkeepers charge.

Talk to one of our intelligent and clever professional bookkeepers to get your further queries about bookkeeping services in London. We will be sure to come up with the best possible solution for you.

How Much Do Bookkeepers Charge? Understanding the Pricing Factors?

Before knowing how much bookkeepers charge, you must be aware of what factors affect the bookkeeping charges. Although, bookkeeping prices in the UK can be very different. Many things can change how much you will pay. Below enlisted are the primary factors that influence bookkeeping service prices throughout the United Kingdom.

• Size of Your Business

The size of your business is a big factor. Bigger businesses have more transactions and complicated finances. They need more time and skill from a bookkeeper. This makes the cost higher. For example: A small sole trader with few transactions may only need a few hours of help each month. This means lower costs. A medium-sized business with many transactions and income sources will need more work. This leads to higher fees.

• Services You Need 

The type of services you want also affects the price. Some businesses only need simple tasks like data entry and checking bank accounts. Others need more services like payroll, VAT returns, and preparing financial statements. For example: Basic bookkeeping may cost between £15 and £25 per hour in 2024. Full services like payroll and tax work can cost £30 to £50 per hour.

• Experience and Skills of the Bookkeeper 

A bookkeeper’s experience and qualifications matter a lot. Experienced bookkeepers with certificates (like ICB or AAT) usually charge more. New bookkeepers charge less because they are just starting. For example, new bookkeepers may charge £12 to £20 per hour. Skilled bookkeepers with high qualifications may charge £30 to £50 per hour.

• Location of the Bookkeeper

Where the bookkeeper is based also affects the price. Bookkeepers in London and big cities charge more because of the higher living costs and bigger demand. For example, in London, a bookkeeper might charge £30 to £50 per hour. In small towns, the rate could be £15 to £25 per hour.

• How Often You Need Help

Your need to work with bookkeepers is a factor that affects pricing rates. However, businesses that need frequent help require either weekly or monthly support from their bookkeepers. A business either requires assistance weekly or monthly or asks for help only occasionally during tax preparation time. However, you must notice the following points:

• Regular bookkeeping duties can be provided at reduced hourly rates by bookkeepers.
• Single-time business jobs tend to be more expensive per hour compared to regular scheduled help.

Different Methods Bookkeepers Charge

How much bookkeepers charge depends on which method you are using for bookkeeper charges. In the UK, bookkeepers usually use one of three pricing methods:

1. Hourly Rates: This is the most common way bookkeepers charge. They charge based on the number of hours they work. This method is good for businesses that have changing workloads because it is flexible. For example: A business with few transactions may only need a few hours of bookkeeping each month. A bigger company may need 10 to 20 hours of work each month.
2. Fixed Fees: Some bookkeepers offer fixed prices for certain tasks. This means you pay a set amount for a specific service, like preparing financial statements or filing a VAT return. Additionally, fixed fees give clear pricing, so you know what you will pay. For example, a bookkeeper might charge £150 to prepare year-end financial statements for a small business.
3. Monthly Retainers: Many businesses choose monthly retainers for ongoing support. With this model, you pay a fixed amount every month. In return, you get a certain number of hours or specific services. For example: A typical monthly retainer for a small business is between £100 and £500, depending on the work needed.

Average Bookkeeping Charges in the UK (2025)

The cost of bookkeeping in the UK in 2025 can be very different. As, It depends on things like the size of your business, what services you need, and where you are based. However, here is a simple breakdown of typical costs:

• Hourly Rates: Most bookkeepers charge between £15 and £40 per hour. If a bookkeeper has special skills or works in a niche area, the price can be even higher.
• Monthly Packages: Many bookkeepers offer monthly packages for small businesses. These packages usually include a fixed number of hours each month. Additionally, monthly costs are usually between £100 and £400, depending on how complex the work is and how many transactions you have.
• Annual Fees: Some businesses prefer to pay for bookkeeping once a year. This is common for companies that only need help with year-end accounts. Yearly fees can range from £1,200 to £5,000 or more, depending on the business size and work needed.

Payings ways	Average Bookkeeping Charges
Hourly Rates	£15 and £40
Monthly Packages:	£100 and £400
Annual Fees	£1,200 to £5,000

 

Types of Bookkeepers and How They Affect Costs

The type of bookkeeper you hire can change how much you pay. There are three main types: freelance bookkeepers, bookkeeping agencies, and in-house bookkeepers.

Freelance Bookkeepers

Freelancers are self-employed and work for many clients. They are often cheaper than agencies or in-house staff. Their rates usually range from £15 to £40 per hour.

Some charge fixed fees for specific tasks, like year-end accounts.

Pros:

• Cost-effective for small businesses
• Flexible working hours

Cons:

• Limited availability during busy seasons
• Less control and accountability

Bookkeeping Agencies

Agencies have a team of bookkeepers. They are good for businesses with complex needs.

Rates are higher, usually £25 to £60 per hour or a monthly package from £300 to £1,000.

Pros:

• Access to different experts
• Reliable service even if one person is unavailable
• Easy to scale services as you grow

Cons:

• More expensive
• Service may feel less personal
• In-House Bookkeepers

House bookkeeper

In-house bookkeepers are full-time or part-time employees. Their average salary is £25,000 to £35,000 per year, plus benefits.

Pros:

• Full-time, dedicated support
• Direct control over tasks
• Deep understanding of your business

Cons:

• High total cost
• One person may not have all needed skills

Conclusion

To sum up, All companies depend on bookkeeping for proper organisation. Bookkeeping serves businesses of various sizes, from small to sole traders to major corporate entities. To sum up, understanding how much bookkeepers charge is crucial because business financial health can be determined through the records obtained from this system.

Disclaimer: All the information provided in this article on how much bookkeepers charge, including all the text and graphics, is general in nature. It does not intend to disregard any professional advice.