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Business and finance

How much does a bookkeeper cost?

In short

An employed bookkeeper costs a business their salary: the National Careers Service gives average bookkeeper pay as £24,000 for a starter to £35,000 when experienced, for 37 to 40 hours a week. A self-employed bookkeeper sets their own rate, so ask for a written quote, and check they are registered for money laundering supervision.

What an employed bookkeeper costs

The National Careers Service gives average bookkeeper salaries of £24,000 for a starter and £35,000 when experienced, for 37 to 40 hours a week. For related roles it gives £22,000 to £35,000 for a payroll administrator and £24,000 to £35,000 for an accounting technician. Our guide on how to become a bookkeeper in the UK covers pay from the bookkeeper's side.

What a freelance bookkeeper charges

Each self-employed bookkeeper sets their own rate, so ask for a written quote showing what is included. Our guide to starting a bookkeeping business covers set-up from the bookkeeper's side.

What to check before you hire a bookkeeper

GOV.UK says a business offering bookkeeping services must not trade without being registered for money laundering supervision, with a professional body or with HMRC. The National Careers Service names AAT, IAB and ICB as professional bodies for bookkeepers, and all three are anti-money laundering supervisory authorities. A Lift College certificate of achievement carries a unique number you can verify on the Lift College website.

Doing your own books instead

If you would rather keep your own records, Bookkeeping Basics is an accredited CPD short course of 6 modules that takes about 6 hours. Get Bookkeeping Basics, an accredited CPD course.

To learn the full method, from double entry to the trial balance and bookkeeping software, the Level 2 Bookkeeping Course is 90 guided learning hours with a named UK tutor. Enrol on the Level 2 Bookkeeping Course.

Our guide to free vs paid bookkeeping course online covers free short courses and funded places.

Questions

How much does a bookkeeper earn?
The National Careers Service gives average bookkeeper pay as £24,000 for a starter to £35,000 when experienced. Typical hours are 37 to 40 a week.
Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?
It depends on the work. A bookkeeper keeps the records during the year; an accountant usually works from those records to prepare year-end accounts and tax returns and to advise the business. Our bookkeeper vs accountant guide sets out the difference in full.
What should I check if I need to hire a bookkeeper?
Check that they are registered for money laundering supervision, which GOV.UK says is required before trading, either with a professional body or with HMRC. Ask which professional body they belong to, such as AAT, IAB or ICB. If they hold a Lift College certificate, you can verify its unique number on the Lift College website.

Related pages

Sources

Business and finance: all courses and guides