How much does a bookkeeper cost?
Updated 14 Nov 2026
Typical cost per month
£50 – £300
A bookkeeper in the UK typically charges £50–£150 a month for a sole trader and £100–£300 a month for a small business, depending on how many transactions there are and how tidy the records are. A Self Assessment tax return usually costs £120–£250 on its own. Many bookkeepers also charge by the hour, often £20–£35, and offer fixed monthly packages that include the tax return.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Self Assessment tax return (sole trader) | £120 – £250 |
| Monthly bookkeeping, sole trader | £50 – £150 per month |
| Monthly bookkeeping, small business | £100 – £300 per month |
| Hourly rate | £20 – £35 per hour |
| Quarterly VAT return | £50 – £150 per quarter |
| Payroll | £5 – £10 per employee per month |
| Catch-up on a year of untouched records | £200 – £600 |
| Setting up accounting software | £75 – £200 one-off |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Business Services prices by region
Labour rates vary across the UK, so the same business services job usually costs more in London and the South East than in the South West, Wales or the North. Here is roughly how the typical range shifts by region (per month).
| Region | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| London | £65 – £390 |
| South East | £55 – £340 |
| East of England | £55 – £320 |
| South West | £50 – £300 |
| Midlands | £50 – £290 |
| Scotland | £50 – £290 |
| North of England | £45 – £280 |
| Wales | £45 – £270 |
| Northern Ireland | £45 – £260 |
Estimates based on regional labour rates, not quotes — your price depends on the job itself.
Self Assessment tax return cost
If you are self-employed, the job most people want help with is the yearly Self Assessment tax return. A bookkeeper or accountant usually charges £120–£250 for a straightforward sole trader return, where your income and expenses are already recorded in a spreadsheet or app.
The price goes up if your records are a box of receipts, if you have more than one source of income such as rental property, or if you need help working out allowable expenses and capital allowances on a van or tools.
The online deadline is 31 January after the end of the tax year, and HMRC charges a £100 penalty for missing it even if no tax is owed. Bookkeepers get busy from December, so booking in the autumn often means a better price and less stress.
Monthly bookkeeping for sole traders and small businesses
Ongoing bookkeeping means someone records your sales and costs every month, matches them to the bank, chases what is missing and keeps you ready for the tax return.
For a sole trader with a few dozen transactions a month, expect £50–£150 a month. A small business with staff, VAT and more invoices usually pays £100–£300 a month.
Many bookkeepers sell fixed monthly packages that include the year-end tax return. Spread over twelve months this can work out cheaper than paying for a catch-up and a return separately, and you always know where you stand with your tax bill.
What affects the price?
Number of transactions. This is the biggest factor. Fifty bank lines a month is a very different job from five hundred.
How organised you are. Photographing receipts as you go and keeping a separate business bank account saves your bookkeeper hours, and saves you money.
VAT and payroll. Registered for VAT or employing people? Each adds regular returns and deadlines.
Software. Using cloud software such as Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent usually makes bookkeeping quicker and cheaper than spreadsheets or paper.
Catch-up work. Months or years of unrecorded transactions are charged by the hour until they are up to date.
Bookkeeper or accountant?
A bookkeeper keeps the day-to-day records: sales, costs, bank reconciliation, invoices, payroll and VAT returns. Many also prepare and file Self Assessment returns for sole traders.
An accountant usually costs more and is worth it for limited company accounts, corporation tax, tax planning, or anything complicated.
For most sole traders and small trades businesses, a good bookkeeper covers everything they need at a lower price. Check that they are supervised for anti-money laundering, by HMRC or a professional body such as the AAT or ICB, and that they carry professional indemnity insurance.
Making Tax Digital for sole traders
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is changing how self-employed people and landlords report to HMRC. Instead of one return a year, you keep digital records and send quarterly updates using compatible software, then a final declaration.
It started in April 2026 for people with self-employment and property income over £50,000, and is due to extend to those over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028.
If it will apply to you, a bookkeeper can set up the software and send the quarterly updates for you. Expect monthly bookkeeping prices towards the upper end of the ranges above once quarterly reporting is included.
Work out your own price
1. Count roughly how many transactions go through your business bank account each month. 2. Under 50 a month: budget £50–£100 a month, or £120–£250 for a once-a-year tax return. 3. 50–200 a month, or VAT registered: budget £100–£200 a month. 4. Staff or several hundred transactions: £200–£300 a month and up. 5. Add a catch-up fee if your records are behind.
Local bookkeepers are often cheaper than national firms. In the Bridgwater area, for example, Olive Grove Business Support quotes £100 for a sole trader Self Assessment return (November 2026).
On BidMyJob you can post what you need, free, and local bookkeepers send you their price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bookkeeper charge for a self-assessment tax return?+
Usually £120–£250 for a straightforward sole trader return, more if your records need sorting out or you have several sources of income.
How much does bookkeeping cost for a sole trader?+
Typically £50–£150 a month, depending on how many transactions you have. Many packages include the yearly tax return.
How much does monthly bookkeeping cost for a small business?+
Around £100–£300 a month for a small business with VAT, staff or a busier bank account.
What is the hourly rate for a bookkeeper in the UK?+
Most self-employed bookkeepers charge £20–£35 an hour. Fixed monthly fees are more common for regular work.
Is a bookkeeper cheaper than an accountant?+
Usually, yes. For a sole trader's records and Self Assessment return a bookkeeper is often all you need. Use an accountant for limited company accounts or complex tax.
Ready to get it done?
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