In-House vs. Outsourced Bookkeeping: Full Cost Breakdown
Hiring an in-house bookkeeper has benefits, but it’s costly. Here’s the side-by-side breakdown compared to outsourcing.
In-House Bookkeeping Costs
- Salary + payroll taxes
- Benefits (health, PTO, retirement)
- Software licensing
- Hiring, training, management time
- Coverage gaps during absence/turnover
Outsourced Bookkeeping Costs
- Flat monthly fee ($150–$375)
- Includes QuickBooks or Xero
- No hiring or HR overhead
- Add payroll/AR/AP only as needed
Example Comparison
- In-House Part-Time: $2,000–$3,000/month
- Outsourced: $150–$375/month
Beyond Cost: Other Considerations
- Scalability, accuracy, CPA review
- Security and compliance
- Business continuity
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FAQs
Is in-house bookkeeping ever better?
For very large or complex companies, yes. But most SMBs save with outsourcing.
How much can I save outsourcing?
Thousands per month compared to hiring full-time staff.
