How Much Does Bookkeeping Cost? Industry-by-Industry Guide
Not all businesses have the same bookkeeping needs. A small local café may only need income/expense categorization, while an eCommerce brand selling across Shopify and Amazon deals with inventory, sales tax, and multiple payment processors. The complexity of transactions, number of accounts, and compliance requirements drive costs up or down.
At RemoteBooksOnline, we provide flat-rate bookkeeping, not hourly surprises. Your cost depends on:
- Monthly transaction volume
- Payroll needs
- Industry-specific requirements (inventory, reimbursements, contractor payments, etc.)
- Catch-up or ongoing support
Average Bookkeeping Costs Across Industries
1. Restaurants, Cafes, and Food Service
Bookkeeping for restaurants involves:
- Daily sales reconciliations (POS + cash)
- Inventory and food cost tracking
- Payroll for tipped employees
- Vendor bill management (food/beverage suppliers)
Typical cost range: $300-$800/month
See our Restaurant Bookkeeping Services.
2. E-commerce & Amazon Sellers
E-commerce bookkeeping is one of the most complex categories. It includes:
- Sales channel integration (Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay, WooCommerce)
- COGS tracking (FIFO) and inventory roll-forward
- Marketplace fee reconciliation
- Multi-currency payouts
- Sales tax nexus compliance (often 20+ states)
Typical cost range: $500-$1,200/month
See: E-commerce Bookkeeping Services.
3. Doctors, Medical, and Health Professionals
Healthcare bookkeeping must account for:
- Insurance reimbursements
- HIPAA-compliant financial data handling
- High-volume patient billing
- Specialized expense categories (labs, medical equipment)
Typical cost range: $400-$1,000/month
Learn more: Bookkeeping for Doctors & Medical Practices.
4. Technology Startups & SaaS Companies
Key challenges include:
- Deferred revenue from subscriptions
- Multiple funding sources (VCs, angels)
- R&D expense categorization
- Complex payroll with stock-based compensation
Typical cost range: $600-$1,500/month
Related: Catch-Up Bookkeeping for Startups.
5. Construction Companies
Construction bookkeeping involves:
- Job-costing by project
- Progress billing & retainage
- Equipment depreciation
- Subcontractor 1099s
Typical cost range: $500-$1,200/month
See: Bookkeeping for Construction Companies.
6. Service Businesses (Cleaning, Property Management, Freelancers)
Examples:
- House cleaning → payroll for part-time staff, mileage tracking
- Property management → rent collections, owner distributions, repair expenses
- Freelancers → client billing, expense categorization
Typical cost range: $200-$600/month
Comparing Bookkeeper vs. CPA Costs
While bookkeepers manage the daily work, CPAs charge $150–$400/hour for taxes and audits. For most industries, outsourcing bookkeeping with CPA oversight is the most cost-effective choice.
See: CPA vs. Bookkeeper Explained.
FAQs About Bookkeeping Costs
Is bookkeeping billed hourly or flat-rate?
Most firms charge hourly ($40-$80/hour). At RemoteBooksOnline, we provide flat-rate plans for predictability.
Do industry-specific businesses cost more?
Yes. Industries like e-commerce, construction, and healthcare require additional reporting, which increases cost.
What if I’m behind on my books?
We offer Catch-Up Bookkeeping to get you up to date, no late fees or penalties.
Final Takeaway
The cost of bookkeeping depends on your industry, complexity, and growth stage. From restaurants to tech startups to e-commerce giants, RemoteBooksOnline delivers affordable, CPA-reviewed financials so you can stay focused on growth.
Start today with your first month free.
