Fair, Transparent Bookkeeping Pricing | Perlinger Consulting, Inc. Littleton CO

Bookkeeping Cost for Small Business

When a small business owner asks, “How much does bookkeeping cost?” what they usually mean is:

“I want my books accurate, I want to stop worrying, and I want to know what I should budget.”

So let’s talk about bookkeeping cost for small business in a way that’s actually useful, especially for owners in Littleton, Centennial, and the Denver Metro (and beyond).

A quick, real world cost snapshot

Bookkeeping often lands in the hundreds per month for many small businesses, then climbs as volume and complexity increase.

If you want an outside baseline that explains typical pricing ranges and what drives them, here’s a solid overview:

Bookkeeping pricing ranges and what affects them (NerdWallet)

At Perlinger Consulting, Inc., most ongoing work is billed hourly at $75 per hour. That keeps pricing transparent and it rewards good systems, because cleaner processes usually mean fewer hours.

What you are actually paying for

A good bookkeeper is not just “entering transactions.” You are paying for accurate accounting habits that make your reports trustworthy:

• Transactions categorized correctly
• Clean bank and credit card reconciliations so balances match reality
• Issues caught early instead of becoming expensive cleanup later
• QuickBooks reports that help you make informed decisions

Pricing is one thing. Peace of mind is another. If you want to see what clean bookkeeping actually feels like week to week, start here:
Bookkeeping Confidence For SB Owners

The cost levers that move your price up or down

Think of bookkeeping cost like a set of sliders. Push a few of these higher, and the monthly time requirement usually rises with it.

Volume
More transactions usually means more review time.

Accounts
More bank accounts and credit cards means more reconciliations.

How you collect money
Invoicing, deposits, and customer payment behavior can add steps and monitoring.

How you pay vendors
Disorganized bill flow takes longer. Better systems can reduce time over time.

How current your books are
If reconciliations are months behind, you are paying for cleanup plus bookkeeping.

How much clarity you want
Monthly reporting and review is different than quarterly check ins.

If you want a fast way to spot the things that usually drive up time and cost, this post is a good read:
Bookkeeping Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore

A simple way to estimate your monthly bookkeeping cost

If your bookkeeper charges hourly, you can get surprisingly close with one formula:

Estimated monthly cost = estimated monthly hours × hourly rate

Here are realistic examples at $75 per hour:

Business situation	Typical hours per month	Estimated monthly cost
Simple service business, low volume	2 to 4	$150 to $300
Growing business with steady invoicing	4 to 8	$300 to $600
Busy operation with more review needed	8 to 15	$600 to $1,125
High complexity or high volume	15+	$1,125+

If you are trying to budget and you feel unsure, reach out to us for a free strategy session.

Hourly vs flat monthly pricing

You will usually see bookkeeping offered in two ways. Hourly pricing is generally more cost effective since you only pay for services rendered. It depends on how predictable your month is.

Hourly bookkeeping tends to fit well when your workload changes month to month, you want to pay for actual time used, or you are catching up and the workload is not predictable.

Monthly flat fee tends to fit well when your business is consistent month to month, you want predictable budgeting, and your books are already current with a steady process.

The best choice is the one that matches your reality, not what sounds best on a pricing page.

Catch up bookkeeping and why procrastination gets expensive

One of the biggest swings in bookkeeping cost is whether you are current.

We’ve brought books current that were one to two years behind, with mistakes throughout. That is fixable, but it takes more time because catch up work often includes extra review and correction before the books can be trusted again.

Here’s the hard truth: procrastination multiplies the work. And bookkeeping mistakes almost always cost more later than they would have cost to prevent.

The hidden cost of DIY bookkeeping

DIY can work for a while. The issue is when the books look fine, but are not accurate.

That usually shows up as:

• Decisions made from reports that are wrong
• Cash flow surprises that should have been visible sooner
• Cleanup that takes longer than steady monthly maintenance

If your goal is accurate accounting services for small business, consistency is your best friend.

What to do next if you want an estimate that fits your business

If you want a realistic number, here’s the easiest approach:

• Estimate your monthly hours using the table above
• Assume month one takes longer if you are behind or if you need more assistance and/or more apps (Merchant Card Services, Bill Pay, Time Tracking, Contractor Direct Deposit, Payroll Set-Up)
• Get a quick review based on transaction volume, number of accounts, and whether reconciliations are current

To see how we help, start here:
Perlinger Consulting Services

Ready for a clear estimate and a clean plan? Use our contact form and tell us what you are dealing with. We will point you in the right direction.
Contact Perlinger Consulting, Inc.

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About Perlinger Consulting, Inc.

Perlinger Consulting, Inc. provides bookkeeping services for small business owners in Littleton, Centennial, the Denver Metro, and beyond. For over 23 years, our trusted team has delivered accurate accounting, bank and credit card reconciliations, and practical QuickBooks support that helps owners stop guessing and start making clear decisions.

Friendly disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Bookkeeping cost varies based on transaction volume, bookkeeping condition, and the systems you use. For an accurate estimate, the best next step is a quick review of your current QuickBooks setup and monthly activity.