Hire a Bookkeeper: When to Hire, What’s Included, and Cost
Running your own books works-until it doesn’t. Here’s how to tell it’s time to hire a bookkeeper, what’s included in a monthly plan, and how to keep costs predictable.
Signs It’s Time to Hire
- You’re behind on reconciliations or dread month‑end closes.
- Payroll or sales‑tax is eating hours every week.
- Your CPA spends time cleaning your books at tax time.
- You can’t trust your P&L to make decisions.
What a Bookkeeper Actually Does
- Monthly categorization and bank/credit‑card reconciliations.
- Software management (QuickBooks/Xero).
- Tax‑ready financial statements and basic month‑end checks.
- Add‑ons: payroll, sales‑tax, AP/AR, catch‑up if you’re behind.
Cost-What to Expect
- $150-$195/mo (1-2 accounts, low volume).
- $225-$325/mo (3-6 accounts or higher volume/complexity).
- Add‑ons priced separately; use the estimator for an instant range.
How to Get Started (3 Steps)
- Connect accounts and share prior statements.
- Set category rules and reporting cadence.
- First close with a quick variance review.
FAQs
When should I hire a bookkeeper?
Hire when reconciliations fall behind, compliance tasks eat hours, or your CPA cleans books at tax time.
How much does a bookkeeper cost?
Most small businesses pay $150-$375/month depending on accounts, volume and add-ons like payroll or sales-tax.
