How Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost for a Small Business?

If you've started shopping for a bookkeeper, you've probably noticed the most frustrating thing about the industry: almost nobody publishes prices. You fill out a form, sit through a sales call, and then find out the number. This guide explains how bookkeeping is actually priced — and what we charge, publicly.

The two ways bookkeepers charge

Hourly. Traditional bookkeepers often bill by the hour. The problem is that you can't predict your bill: a messy month costs you more, and you end up hesitant to ask questions because the clock is running.

Flat monthly pricing. Most modern bookkeeping services charge a fixed monthly rate based on the size and complexity of your business — usually measured by monthly spending, how many bank and credit card accounts you have, and how many transactions flow through them. You know the cost before the month starts.

We use flat pricing, and we publish it:

What monthly bookkeeping costs at Atsi Books

Every plan includes full-service bookkeeping — bank and credit card reconciliations, every transaction categorized, and a monthly P&L + balance sheet. Reconciliation is never an upsell. Plans are sized by what your business spends each month:

• Micro — $99/month for businesses spending up to $5K/month. Perfect for side hustles and new businesses.
• Small — $249/month for up to $10K/month in expenses. The sweet spot for steady owner-operators.
• Growing — $399/month for up to $25K/month in expenses. Built for busy crews, shops, and restaurants.
• Full — custom, starting at $599/month for $25K+/month operations, quoted from your actual volume.

Want QuickBooks included? We can bundle the subscription under our firm's ProAdvisor billing, so your all-in price is lower than buying QuickBooks yourself — or bring your own subscription; both work. Payroll is a separate add-on on any plan, priced by how many people you pay.

No contracts — every plan is month-to-month, there's no setup fee, and your price doesn't creep up every quarter.

What about catch-up (cleanup) bookkeeping?

If your books are months or years behind, that's a one-time cleanup project, priced separately from the monthly service. Cleanup pricing depends on two things: how many bank and credit card accounts are involved, and how far back the mess goes. Our cleanup projects start at $500, and you get a fixed quote up front — never an open-ended hourly bill.

Is a bookkeeper worth it?

Ask yourself three questions:

1. How many evenings did you spend on your books last month — and what is your time worth on a job site or with a client?
2. Do you actually know, today, whether last month was profitable?
3. What did your CPA charge you last tax season to untangle your records before they could even start your return?

For most owners, the monthly fee costs less than the combination of lost evenings, missed deductions, and CPA cleanup fees.

The honest fine print

A bookkeeper is not a tax preparer. We keep your books clean, reconciled, and organized all year, then hand your CPA everything they need at tax time. If anyone offers you "bookkeeping plus taxes" for a suspiciously low price, ask exactly who is signing your return.

Want a real number for your business? Book a free 15-minute call — you'll get a straight answer and a fixed quote. Hablamos español — visita nuestra página en español.