How much does a bookkeeper cost in the UK?

Bookkeeping is the ongoing work of recording and reconciling transactions - the foundation every other accountancy service is built on. Here is what it costs in 2025-26, and why clean books lower your VAT and year-end fees too.

Typical cost: GBP 100-500 per month

Typical cost, in context

Typical UK accountant fees by service
Service	Typical cost
BookkeepingOr roughly GBP 25-60 per hour. Scales with transaction volume and software.	GBP 100-500per month
VAT returnsOften folded into a monthly package rather than billed separately.	GBP 100-300per quarter
Management accountsRegular management reporting on top of statutory work.	GBP 150-500per month
Full company service (accounts, CT, director tax, payroll)Complete package for a director: company accounts, Corporation Tax and personal Self Assessment.	GBP 800-1500per year

Indicative ranges, excluding VAT unless noted. Figures compiled July 2026; individual quotes vary with complexity and location. Related services shown for comparison.

What changes the price

Transaction volume: the single biggest driver - more invoices and bank lines means more to record and reconcile.
Frequency: monthly bookkeeping costs more than quarterly, but keeps figures usable in real time.
Software: connected cloud software with bank feeds cuts the hours versus manual entry.
Scope: pure data entry is cheaper than bookkeeping that includes reconciliations, credit control and reporting.

Monthly retainer versus hourly

Bookkeeping is priced either as a monthly retainer (about GBP 100-500 depending on volume) or hourly (roughly GBP 25-60). A micro business with a handful of transactions sits at the bottom of the range; a busy VAT-registered company with staff sits higher. A fixed monthly fee is usually easier to budget and tends to work out cheaper than hourly once volume is steady.

Why good bookkeeping saves money elsewhere

Bookkeeping is not just a cost - it is what makes every other fee cheaper. Clean, reconciled books mean the accountant is not tidying up before preparing your VAT returns or year-end accounts, so those fees come in lower. Poor records have the opposite effect: the year-end job balloons because someone has to reconstruct the year first. If money is tight, keeping the books tidy yourself in software and paying an accountant only for the returns is a legitimate middle path.

Check the firm is actually regulated

Price is only half the decision. "Accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, so the cheapest quote is not always from a qualified, accountable firm. Any business doing accountancy work is legally required to be supervised for anti-money-laundering, and the strongest firms are also members of a body such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT. Before you pay, confirm the firm is AML-supervised and on the public record.

Find a verified, AML-supervised accountant near you →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bookkeeper cost per month?

Monthly bookkeeping typically costs GBP 100-500 depending on transaction volume and scope, or roughly GBP 25-60 per hour if billed hourly. Micro businesses sit at the low end; busy VAT-registered firms higher.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

A bookkeeper records and reconciles day-to-day transactions. An accountant uses those records to prepare statutory accounts, tax returns and advice. Many firms offer both; good bookkeeping makes the accountancy cheaper.

Can I do my own bookkeeping to save money?

Yes. Keeping tidy records in cloud software yourself and paying an accountant only for VAT and year-end work is a common way to cut cost. It only saves money if the books are genuinely accurate, though.