how much to charge for bookkeeping

Many of the busiest firms I see simple vs compound interest definition formula examples are stretched too thin, doing too much for too little pay. The geographical location of your bookkeeper plays a massive role in how expensive the service will be.

Bookkeeper salary and hourly cost by state

Project-based pricing can be good for bookkeepers who are more experienced or have a good idea of how long the project will take. The risk with project-based pricing is that projects may take longer than you estimate, or the scope of the project grows beyond the initial proposal. Hourly pricing is typically seen as a better option for bookkeepers who are just starting out or don’t have much experience. However, remember more accountants and bookkeepers are working remotely. There is a larger pool of service providers competing for the same jobs.

Communicating Your Pricing Strategy to Clients

On the other hand, there are times you can charge a much higher hourly rate. They will appreciate the work you do, and some will even tell you so. There just seems to be a visceral objection to paying for things that don’t directly improve sales. I’ve got many stories to illustrate my point, and some even involve family. While these exact figures can change over time, the cost comparisons of covering your bookkeeping and accounting needs can vary greatly depending on the type of individual you hire. There are two main types of bookkeeping to be aware of when deciding what type of bookkeeper to hire.

how much to charge for bookkeeping

What is a full charge bookkeeper?

For example, the appointment may have cost $300, the insurance covered $200 of the charge, which leaves $100 as the patient’s responsibility. The thing that takes the most time with this client is the invoicing. The last task I do for the preschool is to categorize income, which doesn’t take all that long. Essentially, we get a lump sum of money, and we want to categorize it to see how much each class is making.

On the other hand, if you’re working with a small company, they may have simpler needs and require less work. Remember, even small businesses can be complex and may need additional support because they have fewer resources. For one-off tasks like “QuickBooks setup” or “Create annual budget”, set a price to complete that task.

  1. Bookkeeper salaries vary state by state (see our chart below), and depending on where you live, you could be paying a large difference in one place versus another.
  2. The overall cost depends on various factors, the most important being experience, education, and certifications.
  3. Go for professionals who have already worked with similar businesses.

Step 4 (Bonus): Present your tiers to the client

Typically, you’ll want to charge your more frequent clients at a the direct write off method and its example lower rate because you’re seeing them more often and reviewing their books on a regular basis. For one-time clients, you may decide to charge more since you know they may not return and have last-minute requests and needs. Consider how frequently you provide services to a client when making up your mind about what to charge.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different pricing models to help you strike the right balance and earn what to do if you missed the tax deadline more revenue. The best way to do bookkeeping for small businesses is to come up with a framework, choose the method that works best for your business type, and keep track of all the details. Different industries also require different services, which can affect the overall cost.