How much does bookkeeping cost?
Learn how to set up a chart of accounts in QuickBooks, import accounts from a spreadsheet and organise your accounts for accurate reporting.
September 8, 2026
How much does bookkeeping cost?
Bookkeeping is an essential part of running a business, but how much should you expect to pay for it in Ireland?
The answer depends on the size of your business, the number of transactions you have, whether you are VAT registered, whether you run payroll and, perhaps most importantly, how much of the bookkeeping you want someone else to do.
For some small businesses, paying a bookkeeper every month is the simplest solution. For others, using accounting software such as QuickBooks Online and doing the day-to-day bookkeeping themselves can significantly reduce costs.
How much does a bookkeeper cost in Ireland?
Irish bookkeeping providers offer a wide range of pricing. Ad-hoc bookkeeping can cost around €35–€50 per hour, while monthly packages can range from approximately €95 for a small, low-transaction business to €400+ for a growing SME. More comprehensive bookkeeping and accounting packages can cost €700–€1,500+ per month for larger or more complex businesses.
These are indicative prices rather than fixed rates. What is included can vary significantly between providers, with some packages including services such as VAT returns, payroll and management reports, while others charge separately.
Can you do your own bookkeeping?
For many small businesses, yes.
If your finances are relatively straightforward, QuickBooks Online can help you manage much of your day-to-day bookkeeping yourself.
You can use QuickBooks to:
- Connect your business bank account
- Import and categorise transactions
- Create invoices and record bills
- Track VAT and expenses
- Upload and organise receipts
- Reconcile your bank accounts
- Monitor cash flow
- Run Profit & Loss reports
- Manage customers and suppliers
QuickBooks’ bank feeds can reduce manual data entry by automatically importing transactions from your connected bank account.
However, software does not replace the need to review your accounts. You still need to make sure transactions are categorised correctly and your accounts are properly reconciled.
How much could you save?
A small business paying €300 per month for bookkeeping is spending €3,600 per year before VAT.
If the business can comfortably manage its day-to-day bookkeeping using QuickBooks and only needs professional support for more complicated work, there may be an opportunity to reduce that ongoing cost.
But the cost of bookkeeping isn’t just about the monthly fee.
Your time has a value too.
If managing your books takes 10 hours every month, ask yourself whether those 10 hours could be better spent generating revenue, serving customers or growing your business.
For some business owners, paying a bookkeeper is money well spent. For others, managing their own bookkeeping in QuickBooks, with professional support when needed, may make more financial sense.
The right approach depends on your business, your time and how confident you are managing your finances.
What can you do yourself in QuickBooks?
For many small businesses, bookkeeping can be manageable with the right tools.
With QuickBooks, you can:
- Connect your bank account and import transactions
- Categorise income and expenses
- Create invoices and record bills
- Track VAT and receipts
- Monitor cash flow
- Reconcile your accounts
- Run Profit & Loss reports
- Manage customers and suppliers
- Access your accounts anywhere
QuickBooks can reduce manual data entry through automatic bank feeds, but you still need to review transactions, categorise them correctly and reconcile your accounts.
Whether you’re new to QuickBooks or looking to improve your skills, we can help you manage your accounts more efficiently.
Want to do more of your bookkeeping yourself?
We help Irish businesses get started with QuickBooks Online, migrate their existing accounting data, set up their accounts and provide training and support.
If you’re currently paying for bookkeeping and wondering whether QuickBooks could help you reduce the amount of work you outsource, talk to us about your business and we’ll help you find the right approach.
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