How to set your bookkeeping services rates: Full guide for 2026

I analyzed pricing strategies from dozens of bookkeeping firms to see what works in 2026. Bookkeeping rates have a median of $23.66 per hour. However, rates range from $11 to $100+ per hour, and that vague spread won't help you price your services. Here's how to set rates that reflect your real value, with three example pricing models.

Factors that influence your bookkeeping service pricing

Your rates don't exist in a vacuum. Several factors beyond market averages affect what you can charge and what clients will pay. Here are some factors to consider:

Where the market stands in 2026

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median rate at $23.66 per hour. On Upwork, entry-level bookkeepers charge $11-$25 per hour, while senior bookkeepers with accounting skills command $25-$45+ per hour. Monthly retainers typically run $300-$2,500 depending on scope.

If you're charging at the low end of these ranges, you're likely competing on price alone. I've worked with bookkeepers charging $50+ per hour who aren't doing radically different work than those charging $25. The difference is how they present their services. Clients pay for clean financials and peace of mind, not hours logged.

Your experience and certifications

Experience commands higher rates, but not automatically. A bookkeeper with 10 years of experience doing basic data entry won't charge the same as someone with 3 years solving complex problems.

Certifications like QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Certified Bookkeeper (CB), or industry-specific credentials signal expertise to clients who can't evaluate your technical skills themselves.

Geographic location

Location isn't as important now that remote work has become more normal, but it still affects pricing expectations. 

Remote work lets you serve high-cost markets while operating from lower-cost regions, landing rates around $45-$60/hour regardless of where you're based.

Service complexity and scope

Basic transaction recording gets basic rates. Managing books for multiple companies at once, tracking project costs, or handling international currencies justifies premium pricing because the work is harder and mistakes cost more.

Technology and automation

The software you use affects your efficiency and how clients perceive your practice. Tools like Receipt Bank or Dext cut down data entry time significantly. QuickBooks Online or Xero gives you cloud access and real-time reporting.

I've found that bookkeepers who invest in their tech stack can work fewer hours per client while maintaining higher rates. You're not just faster. You're positioned as modern and efficient, which clients value.

Client-facing tools and experience

Your backend efficiency matters, but clients experience your service through the tools they interact with.

A branded client portal changes how clients perceive your value. Instead of emailing PDFs and spreadsheets, clients log into a professional portal under your branding where they can access their financial dashboard, upload documents, and message you securely. Tools like Assembly handle the technical setup so you can offer this experience without building it yourself.

Firms that move to a branded client portal often find it easier to support higher rates. The services don’t change, but the experience feels more structured, consistent, and professional to clients.

The 3 pricing models for bookkeeping services

How you charge changes what clients expect from you (and how much you can earn). Each pricing model sends a different message about your practice:

1. Hourly rate pricing

The hourly model is pretty straightforward. You track time spent and bill accordingly, based on your set rate.

Here's what you need to know about hourly pricing:

• When to use: Use hourly pricing for project-based work where the scope isn't clear upfront. It works well for catch-up bookkeeping, one-time cleanups, or advisory calls where you can't predict how long the work will take.
• Pros: Clients see exactly what they're paying for. You're covered if jobs take longer than expected. You don't need complex proposals or scoping meetings.
• Cons: You cap your own income because working faster means earning less. Clients watch the clock and question hours. This creates transactional relationships instead of strategic partnerships.

2. Fixed-rate pricing

Fixed-rate pricing shifts the conversation from hours to deliverables. You charge a set amount per month or per project, regardless of how long the work takes.

Here's what you need to know about fixed-rate pricing:

• When to use: Use fixed-rate pricing for monthly bookkeeping with established clients who have predictable transaction volumes. This works when you can accurately estimate the workload upfront.
• Pros: You keep efficiency gains because automation doesn't cut your income. Clients get budget certainty. The model scales as you optimize your processes.
• Cons: Scope creep eats your margins if boundaries aren't clear. Underestimating the work means losing money while honoring the quoted price. This approach requires strong scoping skills upfront.

3. Value-based pricing

Value-based pricing ties your fee to the impact you create, not the time you spend. You charge based on what clean books, accurate forecasting, or tax savings are worth to the client's business.

Some bookkeepers increase their rates significantly by reframing how they describe their services, shifting the conversation from tasks completed to business impact delivered.

Here's what you need to know about value-based pricing:

• When to use: Use value-based pricing when you can quantify business impact. This includes helping clients secure financing, identifying tax deductions, preventing costly errors, and improving cash flow decisions.
• Pros: Your income scales with the value you provide, not the hours you work. This model attracts higher-quality clients who view bookkeeping as an investment. It positions you as a trusted advisor rather than a vendor. You get rewarded for expertise and strategic thinking.
• Cons: You need to have confident conversations about value and ROI. This doesn't work for basic commoditized services. You need clients who value outcomes over price. You must understand your client's business deeply to articulate impact.

Pro tip: Many successful bookkeepers use a hybrid approach. Hourly for project work, fixed-rate for ongoing clients, value-based pricing for advisory services. The key is being intentional about which model you use when, and why.

How to price bookkeeping services for different client sizes

Many bookkeepers group clients into three categories based on monthly workload. But I think these ranges overlap because pricing depends on more than just hours worked. For example, a healthcare client with 8 hours of monthly work might pay the same as a retail client needing 15 hours due to industry complexity and compliance requirements.

With that nuance in mind, here’s how to price based on your client’s size:

Small clients (under 10 hours/month)

Small clients typically include solopreneurs, freelancers, and early-stage businesses with straightforward finances. Here’s what you need to know:

• Monthly pricing range: $300-$800
• What this covers: Transaction categorization, monthly bank reconciliations, basic expense tracking, quarterly P&L statements
• Best pricing approach: Fixed monthly rates work best here. The workload is predictable, and clients appreciate knowing their monthly cost. Offer tiered packages (basic at $300, standard at $500, premium at $800) based on transaction volume and reporting frequency.

Medium clients (10-20 hours/month)

Medium clients have more complex operations like multiple revenue streams, inventory management, regular payroll, or multi-state sales tax reporting. Here’s a range for medium clients:

• Monthly pricing range: $800-$1,500
• What this covers: Everything in small client services, plus accounts payable/receivable management, payroll processing, monthly financial statements, and sales tax reporting
• Best pricing approach: Fixed rates still work, but build in clear scope boundaries. Spell out exactly what's included (number of transactions, employees on payroll, bank accounts reconciled) so scope creep doesn't eat your margins.

Large clients (20+ hours/month)

Large clients need significant monthly attention with multiple entities, complex reporting requirements, high transaction volumes, or weekly financial updates. Your price range should be between:

• Monthly pricing range: $1,500-$3,000+
• What this covers: Comprehensive financial management, including cash flow forecasting, weekly reporting, multiple entity consolidation, audit preparation support, and strategic advisory
• Best pricing approach: Consider value-based pricing at this level. These clients get more than clean books. They're getting financial insights that affect business decisions. Your fee should reflect the strategic value, not just the hours spent categorizing transactions.

How to package your bookkeeping services (with an example)

Most bookkeepers I work with don't just offer one flat rate. They create packages that give clients options while guiding them toward the middle tier. Three pricing tiers work because they give clients choice without overwhelming them. Many skip the cheapest option (feels too basic) and the most expensive (feels like overkill), landing on the middle tier.

I've seen this play out consistently. Offer one price, and clients negotiate. Offer three, and they pick one.

Here's an example of a tiered pricing model you can implement:

Package your core services, then offer extras clients can add:

• Tax preparation support: $500-$1,500 per filing
• Catch-up bookkeeping: $75-$100/hour
• Financial audit preparation: $800-$1,500 per audit
• Custom reporting: $200-$400/month
• Additional entities: $300-$500/month each

Add-ons let clients customize without forcing you to create dozens of packages. I know bookkeepers who make an extra $500-$1,000 monthly from add-ons alone.

When and how to raise rates

Raising your rates is a normal part of running a professional services business. Firms that communicate the increases clearly and set expectations upfront usually keep most of their clients. Here’s how you can raise yours:

• Raise rates annually: I recommend picking a date (January 1, your anniversary month, etc.) and increasing by 5-10% for new clients. Existing clients get grandfathered for 6-12 months, then you have a conversation.
• Give 60-90 days' notice: Send an email or letter explaining the increase. Keep it brief: "Starting [date], my rates are increasing to [new rate]. This reflects [reason: increased expertise, expanded services, market rates]. Your current rate of [old rate] will continue through [date]."
• Don't apologize or over-explain: You're not doing anything wrong. Professional services raise rates. It's normal.

Here’s what’s important: Expect 5-10% of clients to leave. The 90% who stay at higher rates will more than make up the revenue difference. I've seen this play out consistently with bookkeepers who raise rates the right way.

How to communicate your pricing to prospects and clients

Pricing conversations make or break deals in any industry. I've seen people lose clients they could have closed just by presenting rates awkwardly or defensively. Here’s how to communicate on pricing:

• Lead with value, not cost: Don't open with "I charge $800/month." Open with what they get: "You'll have clean books every month, financial statements ready when you need them, and someone handling your payroll so you don't have to think about it."
• Present all three tiers at once: Show Basic, Standard, and Premium side by side. Most clients eliminate the extremes themselves and choose the middle without you pushing.
• Use a proposal or pricing page: Don't just say your rates out loud or in an email. Send a clean document or link. It feels more professional and gives them something to review without you hovering.
• Be specific about what's included: "Monthly bookkeeping" means different things to different people. Spell out exactly what tasks you'll handle, how often you'll deliver reports, and what level of support they get.
• "That's more than I expected": Ask, "What were you expecting to pay?" Find out if you're miles apart or just slightly off. Then you can adjust the scope or hold firm.
• "I can get it cheaper elsewhere": Respond with something like "You probably can. The difference is I handle [specific complexity they need] and you'll have direct access to me, not a rotating team. What matters most to you?"
• "I need to think about it": Ask, "What specifically do you need to think through? Is it the price, the services included, or something else?" Surface the real objection so you can address it.

Make your rates feel worth it with Assembly

Setting the right bookkeeping services rates is only half the equation. The other half is delivering an experience that justifies those rates. You can charge premium prices, but if clients interact with you through scattered emails and shared Google Drive folders, they won't see the premium value.

Assembly is branded client portal software for bookkeepers and accounting firms that need one place to handle client communication, file sharing, invoicing, and service delivery.

Here’s what you can do with Assembly:

• Offer packages and add-ons: The Storefront lets clients purchase your tiered bookkeeping packages or add-on services directly from your portal, making upsells frictionless.
• See the full client record: Notes, files, payments, and messages stay in one organized space. You’ll spend less time switching platforms because the key details are already collected for you.
• Prep faster for meetings: The AI Assistant summarizes recent client activity and communication, helping you walk into calls with a clear picture of what’s been discussed and what’s outstanding.
• Cut down on admin: Automate repetitive jobs like reminders, status updates, or follow-up drafts that used to take hours. The Assistant handles the busywork so your team can focus on clients.
• Handle billing in one place: The Billing App lets you create invoices, accept payments, and manage subscriptions directly inside your client portal. Clients see a professional checkout experience under your branding.
• Centralize client communication: Our Messages App manages customer questions inside your client portal so your team can track requests, reply, and keep updates connected to the correct client record.

Want a client experience that supports your pricing? Start your free Assembly trial today.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge for bookkeeping services?

Charge $300-$800 monthly for basic bookkeeping, $800-$1,500 for full-service work, or $1,500-$2,500+ for strategic advisory services. Hourly rates range from $25-$100+, depending on your experience and service complexity. When setting your rates, consider your market, expertise level, and the value you deliver.

Should I charge monthly or hourly for bookkeeping?

Monthly fixed rates work best for ongoing bookkeeping clients because they provide predictable revenue and eliminate time tracking. Hourly billing makes sense for one-time projects, cleanup work, or clients with unpredictable transaction volumes. Most successful bookkeepers use monthly rates for regular clients and hourly rates for project-based work.

How do I justify higher bookkeeping rates?

Show clients what they're getting through professional deliverables, clear communication, and a branded client experience. Use a client portal where they can access financial dashboards, reports, and documents anytime instead of relying on email exchanges. Clients pay premium rates when they see organized, accessible financial information and understand the strategic value you provide.