How much does a bookkeeper cost in the UK?
The VouchQuote team ·
Most UK small businesses pay a freelance bookkeeper between £80 and £450 a month. The fee follows the number of transactions, not your turnover.
Typical monthly fees
- Sole trader, up to 50 transactions: £80–£150
- Small limited company, VAT registered: £150–£300
- Busier business with payroll and monthly reports: £300–£450
- One-off catch-up: £25–£40 an hour
What is normally included
Recording sales and purchases, bank reconciliation, chasing missing receipts and, if agreed, VAT returns and payroll. Year-end accounts and tax returns are usually an accountant’s job.
Bookkeeper, accountant or both?
A bookkeeper keeps the records right all year. An accountant turns them into statutory accounts and tax returns. Tidy books make the accountant cheaper, so the two often pay for each other.
For an accurate quote
- Your monthly transaction count
- The software you use, or want to use
- Whether you are VAT registered and have staff
- How far behind the books are
Quick answers
What is on a typical bookkeeping services price list?
Monthly bookkeeping from £80, VAT returns £80 to £250 each, payroll from about £40 a month plus a few pounds per payslip, and catch-up work at £25 to £40 an hour.
How much does a bookkeeper cost per hour in the UK?
£25 to £40 an hour for a freelance bookkeeper. Fixed monthly fees are more common for ongoing work.
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Prices are typical UK ranges for independent freelancers and small agencies, excluding VAT. How we work out price ranges.