If you've priced out an in-house bookkeeper lately, you already know the number is ugly. A full-time U.S. bookkeeper runs $45,000–$55,000 a year in salary alone, before payroll tax, benefits, or the software seat you're paying for either way. That's the real reason outsourced bookkeeping has become the default for small and mid-sized businesses — not because it's trendy, but because the math stopped making sense.
Here's what outsourced bookkeeping actually costs, what you get at each tier, and how to know if it's the right move for your business.
What outsourced bookkeeping typically costs
Pricing in this space usually breaks into three tiers:
- Basic transaction categorization ($300–$600/mo): bank and credit card reconciliation, categorized transactions, monthly reports. Good for very small businesses with simple books.
- Full-service bookkeeping ($600–$1,200/mo): everything above, plus accounts payable/receivable, payroll coordination, and monthly financial statements ready for your CPA.
- Dedicated offshore bookkeeper ($800–$1,800/mo): a bookkeeper working only your books, on your schedule, using your existing software (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.) — closer to having an in-house hire without the in-house cost.
That last tier is where offshore staffing changes the equation. A dedicated offshore bookkeeper costs roughly a third of a U.S. hire while working your hours, on your tools, reporting directly to you — not shared across a pool of unrelated clients like most bookkeeping firms.
What's actually included (read the fine print)
Not all outsourced bookkeeping is equal. Before you sign anything, confirm:
- Is it a dedicated person, or a shared pool? Shared-pool services are cheaper but you'll rarely talk to the same person twice, which matters when there's a discrepancy to chase down.
- Do they work in your software, or migrate you to theirs? Migration costs time and creates lock-in.
- What's the turnaround on monthly close? Ask for a specific day of the month, not "within a few weeks."
- Who reviews for accuracy? A one-person shop with no second set of eyes is a risk at any price.
In-house vs. outsourced vs. offshore: the real comparison
| In-house bookkeeper | Traditional outsourced firm | Dedicated offshore bookkeeper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ~$4,000–$4,600 | $600–$1,200 | $800–$1,800 |
| Dedicated to you | Yes | Usually no | Yes |
| Works your hours | Yes | Rarely | Yes, by design |
| Ramp time | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
Is outsourced bookkeeping right for your business?
It's a strong fit if you're spending more than 3–4 hours a month wrestling with reconciliation, if your books are behind, or if you're paying a CPA firm a premium just to clean up messy categorization before they can even start your taxes. It's a weaker fit if your books are genuinely simple (a handful of transactions a month) — in that case, a part-time local bookkeeper or software alone might be enough.
FAQ
How much does outsourced bookkeeping cost per month?
Most small businesses pay $600–$1,800/month depending on transaction volume and whether the bookkeeper is dedicated or shared across clients.
Is outsourced bookkeeping safe for sensitive financial data?
Yes, when the provider uses secure, permission-based access to your existing software (rather than exporting data) and has signed confidentiality agreements in place — this should be standard, not an upsell.
What's the difference between outsourced and offshore bookkeeping?
"Outsourced" just means it's not in-house. "Offshore" specifies the bookkeeper is based internationally — usually the more cost-effective version of outsourcing, provided they're dedicated to your business rather than shared.
Iridium Staffing Group places dedicated, offshore bookkeepers who work directly in your existing software on your schedule — not a shared pool, not a call center. See how our bookkeeping placements work →