UK fee benchmark
How much does bookkeeping cost in the UK?
Typical monthly cost
£25–£75
Small business, outsourced bookkeeping
What you should expect to pay
| Service | Typical fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outsourced monthly bookkeeping | £25–£75/mo | Bank reconciliation and transaction processing |
| Freelance bookkeeper, hourly | £15–£35/hr | Common market range; AAT-licensed at the upper end |
| Sole trader with bookkeeping, annually | £600–£1,200/yr | Bookkeeping plus annual accounts |
| Bookkeeping bundled into a company package | £108–£302/mo | Core limited company package plus bookkeeping |
Editorial benchmarks from Pick My Accountant's UK market research — indicative ranges, not quotes.How we set them.
Transaction volume is the price
Almost every bookkeeping quote is really a transaction count in disguise. Bank feeds, sales invoices, purchase receipts, and payment runs each take time to code and reconcile. Before requesting quotes, count your monthly bank transactions — giving that number up front produces far more accurate quotes and stops mid-year price rises.
Bookkeeper or accountant?
A bookkeeper records transactions and keeps the ledgers clean; an accountant prepares statutory accounts, files tax returns, and advises. Many small businesses use a bookkeeper monthly and an accountant annually — often cheaper than one firm doing everything, though a single provider reduces handover friction. AAT-licensed bookkeepers can be verified on AAT's public register.
MTD makes clean records non-optional
Making Tax Digital requires digital records and quarterly submissions as thresholds phase in from April 2026. Businesses still using spreadsheets and shoeboxes will pay more to catch up than to keep up — the cheapest bookkeeping is the kind that happens monthly rather than in a year-end scramble.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bookkeeper cost per month in the UK?
Outsourced bookkeeping typically costs £25–£75 a month for a small business, driven mainly by transaction volume. Freelance bookkeepers commonly charge £15–£35 an hour.
Is a bookkeeper cheaper than an accountant?
Per hour, usually yes — bookkeepers handle recording, accountants handle statutory filings and advice. Using a bookkeeper monthly and an accountant annually is a common, cost-effective split for small businesses.
Do I need a bookkeeper if I use Xero or QuickBooks?
Software automates data entry but does not decide how a transaction is treated. Many businesses do their own day-to-day entry and pay a bookkeeper for a monthly review — considerably cheaper than full outsourcing, and it keeps the accounts audit-ready.
Figures are indicative editorial benchmarks for UK small businesses, not quotes or financial advice. Actual fees depend on turnover, transaction volume, record quality, and scope — always confirm directly with the firm. Last reviewed: 2026-07-17.