Key takeaways
- Bark's UK price data puts the median freelance bookkeeper at about £20 an hour, with most charging £18 to £22.
- A typical small business pays £50 to £150 a month for outsourced bookkeeping, according to Bark, with larger businesses paying over £3,000.
- An employed bookkeeper earns £24,000 to £35,000 a year, according to the National Careers Service, before employer costs.
- Employers pay 15% National Insurance on salary above £5,000 a year in 2026/27, which adds about £3,750 to a £30,000 bookkeeper.
- Online packages bundle bookkeeping with accounts; Mazuma's sole trader plans ran from £38 to £60 a month plus VAT when checked on 6 November 2026.
- Transaction volume is the main price driver; Mazuma's Basic plan covers 20 transactions a month, while its average client has 70 to 120.
- A bookkeeper who is not supervised by a professional body must register with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision.
A UK bookkeeper typically costs about £20 an hour, or £50 to £150 a month for a small business with a modest number of transactions. An employed bookkeeper costs £24,000 to £35,000 a year in salary, plus employer National Insurance and pension. What you actually pay depends on how many transactions you have and what else is included, such as VAT returns or payroll.
Bookkeeper rates at a glance
The figures below come from published sources, checked on 6 November 2026. They are a guide, not quotes.
| Option | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance, hourly | £18 to £22 an hour | Bark, 2025 data |
| Outsourced, monthly | £50 to £150 a month | Bark, 2025 data |
| Online package | £38 to £60 a month + VAT | Mazuma, sole traders |
| Employed bookkeeper | £24,000 to £35,000 a year | National Careers Service |
Bark’s price guide, last updated 9 September 2025, gives a median of about £20 an hour. It shows little difference between London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol, at about £20, with Edinburgh lower at about £15. Its full monthly range runs from £65 to over £3,000.
How much does a freelance bookkeeper charge?
Most freelance bookkeepers charge £18 to £22 an hour, based on Bark’s data. Many will also quote a fixed monthly fee once they know your volume.
A business needing four hours a month at £20 an hour would pay about £80 a month. Ask whether the rate includes VAT; a bookkeeper who is VAT-registered must add 20%.
What do online bookkeeping packages cost?
Online services usually charge a fixed monthly fee that covers bookkeeping and often year-end work. Mazuma’s pricing page, checked on 6 November 2026, listed these sole trader plans, all excluding VAT:
| Plan | Monthly fee | Transactions a month |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £38 | 20 |
| Standard | £45 | 70 |
| Plus | £52 | 100 |
| Premium | £60 | 200 |
Each plan includes monthly bookkeeping, year-end accounts and one Self Assessment return. Mazuma did not show limited company prices on the page. For a wider view of fixed-fee services, see online accountants compared.
How much does it cost to employ a bookkeeper?
An employed bookkeeper earns £24,000 as a starter, rising to £35,000 with experience, according to the National Careers Service. Hours are usually 37 to 40 a week.
Salary is not the full cost. For 2026/27, HMRC’s employer rates set employer National Insurance at 15% on earnings above £5,000 a year.
For a £30,000 salary, that is £25,000 × 15% = £3,750. You also pay an auto-enrolment pension contribution of at least 3% of qualifying earnings, plus holiday cover, software and training. Try our employer NI calculator for your own figures.
What affects the price?
Five things drive most bookkeeping quotes:
- Transaction volume. More bank lines and receipts mean more time. Mazuma says its average client has 70 to 120 transactions a month.
- Extras. VAT returns, payroll, CIS returns and management accounts are often charged on top.
- State of the books. Catch-up work on old periods is usually quoted separately.
- Software. Your accounting software subscription is often not included. See accounting software prices.
- Experience and qualifications. AAT or ICB qualified bookkeepers may charge more.
How to check a bookkeeper is legitimate
A professional bookkeeper must be supervised for anti-money laundering. HMRC’s registration guidance lists bookkeeping as an accountancy service, so a bookkeeper not supervised by a professional body must register with HMRC.
- Ask who supervises them for money laundering, either HMRC or a body such as the ICB or AAT.
- Check membership in the ICB directory or with the body they name.
- Ask for an engagement letter that sets out the fee, the work and the transaction limit.
- Confirm they hold professional indemnity insurance.
Our guide on how to check if an accountant is qualified covers the same checks in more detail.
Which option suits you?
- If you have under 20 transactions a month, a low-tier online package or a few freelance hours is usually enough.
- If you are VAT-registered or run payroll, get a quote that includes those returns.
- If bookkeeping takes more than 20 hours a week, compare a part-time employee with an outsourced fee.
- If you also need accounts and tax returns, compare a bundled package with what an accountant costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bookkeeper charge per hour in the UK?
Bark’s 2025 data puts the median at about £20 an hour, with most freelance bookkeepers charging £18 to £22.
How much is bookkeeping per month for a small business?
Bark puts the typical cost at £50 to £150 a month. Online packages that include year-end accounts started at £38 a month plus VAT for sole traders at Mazuma when checked on 6 November 2026.
Is a bookkeeper cheaper than an accountant?
Usually yes, because bookkeeping is routine recording rather than accounts and tax advice. Many businesses use a bookkeeper during the year and an accountant at year end.
Does a bookkeeper need to be registered?
A bookkeeper offering services to businesses must be supervised for anti-money laundering, either by HMRC or by a professional body such as the ICB or AAT.
What does a salaried bookkeeper earn?
The National Careers Service gives £24,000 for a starter, rising to £35,000 with experience.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.