Updated August 2026
Bookkeeping costs in the UK
What UK bookkeepers charge per hour and per month, and when moving to a fixed monthly package saves money.
Typical cost
£20 – £45 per hour, or £100 – £500 per month
Price ranges by scenario
| Scenario | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Freelance bookkeeper (hourly) | £20 – £35 / hour |
| Practice-based bookkeeper (hourly) | £30 – £45 / hour |
| Fixed monthly, under 100 transactions | £100 – £200 / month |
| Fixed monthly, 500+ transactions | £350 – £800 / month |
What moves the price
- Transaction count and how many bank, card and payment accounts feed in.
- Whether receipts arrive digitally or as a shoebox at year end.
- Software in use — cloud-native ledgers cost less to maintain.
- Credit control and supplier payment runs added on top.
Common questions
Bookkeeper or accountant?
A bookkeeper maintains the day-to-day records; an accountant prepares statutory accounts, tax returns and advice. Many firms do both under one fee.
Does clean bookkeeping reduce my year-end bill?
Almost always. Firms price year-end work partly on how much tidying they expect to do.
Figures are indicative market ranges gathered from UK practice pricing and are not a quote. Always confirm scope and fees in an engagement letter.