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Bookkeeping Cost Calculator

Answer two quick questions and get an instant estimate of your monthly bookkeeping cost — based on real 2026 pricing, not a lead-capture wall. Then see exactly what drives the number.

$299/mo
Starter plan · up to $25k/mo in expenses
Most flat-rate bookkeeping runs $300–$1,000/month. Anything under ~$300 is usually offshore data-entry, not a dedicated bookkeeper.
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Estimates reflect Tides' current published monthly plans. Your exact quote comes from a quick call — no obligation.

How bookkeeping is actually priced

Good bookkeeping is priced by workload, not by the hour and not by your revenue. The single best predictor of workload is how many transactions flow through your business each month — and the easiest stand-in for that is your monthly expenses. A consultant billing $40,000 a month with one bank account and twenty transactions is far less work than a restaurant spending $40,000 across food vendors, payroll, delivery apps, and a busy card. That's why reputable firms, including us, tier pricing on volume.

Here's roughly how the tiers map for a current, reasonably straightforward business:

What the calculator can't see (and a call can)

Volume gets you 80% of the way to an accurate number. The rest comes from complexity: inventory that has to be valued, multiple entities or locations, per-job or per-property tracking, multi-state sales tax, or add-ons like payroll and accounts-payable management. Those can nudge a quote up a tier. On the other side, a genuinely simple business — one account, low volume, no inventory — often lands right at the entry price.

One thing that is not part of your monthly price: getting caught up if you've fallen behind. Catch-up is a separate, one-time project. If you picked "behind" above, estimate that piece with our catch-up bookkeeping estimator, then the monthly figure here is what you'd pay once you're current.

Want the full picture on pricing, including what's fair and what's a red flag? Read how much a bookkeeper costs in 2026, or see the whole system in our complete guide to small business bookkeeping.

Bookkeeping cost FAQ

How much does a bookkeeper cost per month?
Most small businesses pay between $300 and $1,000 per month for professional bookkeeping, with the majority of flat-rate quotes landing in the $400–$700 range. The main driver is your transaction volume, usually measured by monthly expenses. Quotes below about $300/month are often offshore data-entry rather than a dedicated bookkeeper; quotes well above $1,000 are frequently paying for branding or bundled advisory work you may not need.
What makes bookkeeping cost more or less?
Four things move the price: transaction volume (more accounts and more monthly transactions mean more work), how far behind you are (catch-up is priced separately from ongoing monthly work), complexity (inventory, multiple entities, job or property tracking, multi-state sales tax), and add-ons like payroll or accounts-payable management. A simple, current, single-account business sits at the low end; a high-volume or multi-entity business sits higher.
Is this calculator's estimate a real quote?
It's a close estimate based on our published pricing tiers, which are set by monthly expense volume. Your exact quote depends on the specifics — number of accounts, complexity, and whether you need catch-up first. The fastest way to get a firm number is a free 15-minute call; there's no obligation and no sales pitch.
Why is flat monthly pricing better than hourly?
Hourly billing punishes you for having a messy month and makes your cost impossible to predict. Flat monthly pricing tied to your volume means you know exactly what you'll pay, and your bookkeeper has no incentive to run up hours. Every plan at Tides is flat-rate with no setup fees and no contract.