What Is the Average Cost of Bookkeeping Services for Trucking & Transportation Companies?
Accurate financial records are mission-critical for trucking and transportation companies, but the cost of maintaining those books can vary widely. Whether you operate a solo rig or a growing fleet with dozens of trucks and drivers, bookkeeping is an essential investment for managing cash flow, tax prep, and staying compliant with industry-specific financial regulations.
So, how much does professional bookkeeping actually cost in the trucking and transportation industry?
Average Monthly Cost of Bookkeeping for Trucking Businesses
On average, trucking companies can expect to pay between $150 to $450 per month for dedicated bookkeeping services. This estimate covers services like:
- Monthly reconciliations
- Income and expense categorization
- Profit & Loss statements
- Tax-ready financial reporting
- Fuel and maintenance tracking
- Accounts receivable/payable support
Smaller owner-operators with fewer transactions may pay closer to $150-$250/month, while larger fleets or multi-state operations may see costs upward of $400-$500/month due to volume and complexity.
If you’re only looking for catch-up bookkeeping (e.g., cleaning up 6-12 months of backlogged books), a one-time cleanup service may cost anywhere from $300 to $1,200+, depending on how far behind you are.
What Affects Bookkeeping Costs for Trucking Companies?
Several variables drive up or down the monthly bookkeeping rate:
- Number of trucks/drivers: More vehicles = more transactions, expenses, fuel logs, and maintenance to reconcile.
- Billing frequency: Daily and weekly customer billing = higher workload than monthly billing.
- Type of bookkeeping system used: Whether you’re on QuickBooks, Xero, or spreadsheets impacts ease of service.
- Receipts and document organization: Messy records = more cleanup.
- Catch-up vs. monthly: Ongoing service is cheaper long-term compared to periodic catch-up.
- Payroll and compliance complexity: If your bookkeeper is helping with payroll, IFTA, or DOT compliance reporting, it will cost more.
Test Case: Owner-Operator with 2 Trucks
Client profile: Small fleet, 2 trucks, 2 drivers, uses QuickBooks Online. Average 200-300 transactions/month. No internal bookkeeper.
Service provided:
- Monthly reconciliations
- Expense categorization (fuel, tolls, meals, etc.)
- P&L and Balance Sheet reports
- Year-end tax coordination with CPA
Monthly cost: $195/month (flat rate)
Outcome:
- Books cleaned up in 2 weeks
- Ready for tax season without last-minute stress
- Saved 12+ hours/month doing it themselves
Why RemoteBooksOnline Is Ideal for Trucking Companies
We specialize in serving small to midsize transportation and logistics firms. Our QuickBooks- and Xero-certified bookkeepers are U.S. accounting-trained and offer:
- Flat pricing (no hourly surprises)
- First month free to try risk-free
- Catch-up bookkeeping for businesses behind
- CPA-reviewed financials delivered monthly
- Industry-experienced team that understands trucking P&Ls, fuel card charges, and driver pay models
We support:
- Freight and long-haul trucking companies
- Local delivery and logistics fleets
- Owner-operators and independent contractors
- DOT-regulated entities needing audit support
FAQs
Can I use a regular bookkeeper or do I need someone who knows trucking?
You’ll get better results with a bookkeeper who understands industry-specific line items like fuel deductions, maintenance amortization, and DOT regulations.
What if I’m behind on my books?
No problem – we offer full catch-up bookkeeping services to bring you current fast.
Do you support IFTA reports?
We don’t file IFTA but we categorize all fuel-related expenses for your accountant to handle IFTA easily.
Do you work with truckers nationwide?
Yes! RemoteBooksOnline serves clients in all 50 states.
Final Takeaway
Bookkeeping is a cost of doing business – but it shouldn’t break the bank. Trucking and transportation companies can expect to pay around $150-$450/month for professional services, depending on their size and complexity. With the right partner, that investment pays off in time saved, stress avoided, and tax-season readiness.
Need help with trucking bookkeeping?
Struggling to stay on top of your business finances? Our bookkeeping services help you save time, reduce errors, and stay compliant-so you can focus on growing your business.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
Managing finances while on the road? Our trucking bookkeeping services are tailored to keep your books in order-so you can drive with peace of mind and stay tax-ready year-round.
Staying organized while driving cross-country isn’t easy. Discover tips to simplify your finances in our latest blog on trucking bookkeeping on the road.
