Best Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses
Online bookkeeping services handle your financial records so you can focus on running your business. The right one depends on your budget, whether you need payroll or tax prep bundled in and what software you’re already using.
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- The best bookkeeping service depends on your business size, budget and the level of support you’re looking for.
- Expect to pay anywhere from $99 to $995+ per month, depending on your business’s bookkeeping requirements.
- Many bookkeeping companies charge extra for add-ons like payroll, tax preparation and catch-up bookkeeping.
- Providers that use accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero make it easier to switch services later than those with in-house software.
| Platform | Best for | Price/month | Tax services | Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Full-service bookkeeping + tax | $209 to $469/mo (billed annually) | Yes | Yes |
 | Existing QuickBooks users | Starting at $300/mo (after cleanup fee) | Yes (add-on) | Yes (add-on) |
 | Sole proprietors and freelancers | $199 to $599/mo (billed monthly or annually)* | Yes (with Core + Tax plan) | No |
 | Flexible or hourly support | $399 to $599/mo (billed monthly) | Yes (add-on) | Yes (add-on) |
 | Software-free bookkeeping | $250/mo | No | No |
 | Startup businesses | $99 to $299+/mo (billed monthly or annually)* | Yes (add-on) | Yes (add-on) |
 | E-commerce businesses | $395 to $995/mo (billed monthly or annually)* | Yes (add-on) | No |
 | Existing Wave Accounting users | Starting at $149/mo | No | Yes (add-on) |
Our top picks for small business bookkeeping
1-800Accountant: Best for full-service bookkeeping + tax
Cost per month (billed annually): Tax Advisory: $209; Starter: $299; Business Complete: $469
Tax services: Yes, included in Starter and Business Complete plans
Payroll services: Yes, included in Business Complete plan
Pros
- All plans include year-round tax advice and a dedicated accountant
- Business Complete plan ($469/mo) bundles bookkeeping, payroll and quarterly estimated taxes in one subscription
- Offers catch-up bookkeeping as an add-on
Cons
- Full-service bookkeeping only available on the most expensive plan ($469/mo)
- Only available to U.S.-based businesses
1-800Accountant is one of the few providers on this list that offers bookkeeping, tax preparation and payroll. The Business Complete plan at $469/month bundles all three — a clean option for small business owners who want to consolidate their financial services.
If you don’t need the full package, the tiered structure gives you room to start smaller. The Tax Advisory plan at $209/month covers year-round tax advice and quarterly reviews without full bookkeeping, and individual services like catch-up bookkeeping, payroll and tax prep can be added on separately. Few providers on this list offer that kind of flexibility.
QuickBooks Live: Best for existing QuickBooks users
Cost per month: Starting at $300/mo (after initial cleanup fee)
Tax services: Yes, as an add-on service
Payroll services: Yes, as an add-on service
Pros
- Seamlessly integrates with your existing QuickBooks Online account
- Provides catch-up bookkeeping for all new clients
- Accuracy guarantee on your bookkeeper’s work
Cons
- Mandatory cleanup fee before monthly service begins
- Bookkeepers can’t prepare or file taxes — you’ll need a separate Intuit Expert Tax subscription
QuickBooks Live is the natural choice if your business already runs on QuickBooks Online. Setup is straightforward since your bookkeeper works directly inside your existing account, and every new client gets catch-up bookkeeping to start with clean records (for a fee). The accuracy guarantee on your bookkeeper’s work is a differentiator few providers on this list offer.
However, tax filing requires a separate Intuit Expert Tax subscription, bookkeepers can’t handle payroll directly and the mandatory first-month cleanup fee adds to your initial cost.
Bench Accounting: Best for sole proprietors
Cost per month: Bookkeeping Grow: $199; Bookkeeping Core: $399; Bookkeeping Core + Tax: $599. Save up to 20% when billed annually.
Tax services: Yes, with Bookkeeping Core + Tax plan
Payroll services: No
Pros
- Three clear pricing tiers let you add tax filing only when you need it
- Catch-up bookkeeping available for businesses behind on their records
- Save 20% by switching to annual billing
Cons
- No payroll services available at any tier
- In-house software makes switching providers harder down the road
- Unlimited communication only available on Core and above — Grow plan has pre-scheduled touchpoints only
Bench is a strong fit for sole proprietors and freelancers who want clean, organized books without managing accounting software themselves. Its in-house platform means you don’t need a separate accounting platform, and the three-tier structure lets you start with basic bookkeeping and add tax filing only when your needs grow.
The Core + Tax plan at $599/month is one of the cleaner all-in-one options on this list for businesses that want bookkeeping and tax prep under one roof without paying for payroll they don’t need. The tradeoff is that Bench’s in-house software creates lock-in — switching providers means leaving the platform behind, which can complicate migrating your records to another system.
Bookkeeper360: Best for flexible support
Cost per month: Monthly: $399; Weekly: $599
Tax services: Yes, as an add-on service
Payroll services: Yes, as an add-on service
Pros
- Choose monthly or weekly bookkeeping cadence to match your business pace
- Integrates with both QuickBooks and Xero
- Has a mobile app for on-the-go access to your financials
Cons
- Onboarding and prior bookkeeping cleanup starts at $1,000 (optional, but recommended for new clients)
- Tax prep and payroll are separate add-ons
Bookkeeper360 gives you more control over your bookkeeping cadence than most providers on this list. Monthly plans work for steady-growth businesses, while weekly plans are built for faster-moving operations that need tighter visibility into cash flow. The platform also integrates with QuickBooks and Xero.
Tax prep and payroll are separate add-ons, so the true monthly cost can run higher than the base rate suggests. If you need prior bookkeeping cleanup before starting, Bookkeeper360’s onboarding service starts at $1,000 per project.
Merritt Bookkeeping: Best for budget-conscious businesses
Cost per month: $250 flat
Tax services: No
Payroll services: No
Pros
- Flat $250/month rate with no pricing tiers, contracts or hidden fees
- Books kept in QuickBooks — your data is portable if you ever leave
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Discounted catch-up bookkeeping available ($200/month behind)
Cons
- No tax prep or payroll services at any tier
- Keeps client roster small — availability isn’t guaranteed
Merritt Bookkeeping is designed for businesses that want straightforward monthly bookkeeping without additional service bundles. For a flat fee of $250 per month, a team of human bookkeepers maintains your books in QuickBooks and prepares them for tax season, making it easier for your accountant to file your return.
Merritt Bookkeeping doesn’t offer tax preparation, payroll or advisory services. Businesses that need tax filing or payroll will need to work with a separate CPA or payroll provider.
Pilot: Best for startups
Cost per month: Essentials: $99; Core: $299+
Tax services: Yes, as an add-on service
Payroll services: Yes, as an add-on service
Pros
- Essentials plan at $99/month is one of the most affordable entry points on this list
- Pre-revenue companies can contact Pilot for a discount on the Core plan
- Core plan includes accrual-basis bookkeeping, a dedicated U.S.-based bookkeeper and investor-ready reporting
Cons
- Payroll administration only available on the Custom plan
- Essentials plan is AI-only — no human bookkeeper
- Tax services must be purchased separately and are billed annually
Pilot is built for startup businesses, with support for accrual-basis bookkeeping and reporting geared toward investors, lenders and partners. The Essentials plan at $99/month uses AI to categorize transactions, reconcile accounts and close books monthly, making it one of the most affordable entry points on this list. However, payroll and CFO advisory are only available on the Custom plan, so costs can climb as your needs grow.
Xendoo: Best for e-commerce businesses
Cost per month: Essential: $395; Growth: $695; Scale: $995. Costs are lower when billed annually – Essential: $355; Growth: $625; Scale: $895.
Tax services: Yes, as an add-on service
Payroll services: No
Pros
- No onboarding or setup fees
- Weekly bookkeeping on every plan, handled by a U.S.-based team
- Catch-up bookkeeping available starting at $295/month
Cons
- No payroll add-on available
- Plans cap out at $125,000 in monthly expenses (or full accrual accounting) — above that requires a custom quote
Xendoo is built for online sellers. It integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, Gusto, Bill.com, A2X and Stripe, giving e-commerce businesses a direct line between their sales platforms and their books. Every plan includes weekly bookkeeping and a 24/7 dashboard for real-time financial visibility.
The tradeoff is price. Essential starts at $395/month (or $355/month billed annually), and it’s one of the more expensive options on this list. Payroll isn’t available at any tier, so you’ll need a separate provider for that.
Wave Advisors: Best for existing Wave accounting users
Cost per month: Starting at $149
Tax services? Not included; taxes can be filed through Wave using Block Advisors (H&R Block) for a fee
Payroll services? Yes, as an add-on service
Pros
- Integrates with Wave accounting software, which is free to use
- Includes a dedicated bookkeeper and monthly financial statements
- Payroll tax service now available in all 50 states
Cons
- Payroll requires a separate subscription on top of the Advisors fee
- Auto bank imports and receipt scanning require upgrading to Wave’s Pro Plan ($190/year)
If you already use Wave’s free accounting software, Wave Advisors is the natural upgrade since your bookkeeper works directly inside the account you already know. It adds a dedicated bookkeeper who prepares monthly financial statements and answers bookkeeping questions year-round, starting at $149/month.
However, auto bank imports and receipt scanning require upgrading to Wave’s Pro Plan ($190/year) on top of the Advisor’s fee, and payroll needs its own separate subscription.
What is a small business bookkeeping service?
A bookkeeping service records and organizes your business’s financial transactions. Your bookkeeper also prepares financial reports, including income statements and balance sheets, that summarize those transactions and show where your business stands financially.
Full-service bookkeeping providers may also offer supplemental services such as tax preparation, payroll processing and catch-up bookkeeping for businesses that have fallen behind.
A bookkeeping service makes sense if you’re spending hours each month matching transactions to your bank statements, falling behind on your records or making decisions without a clear view of your cash flow. It’s also worth it if you want your books ready for tax season without the last-minute scramble.
If your finances are simple and you have the time to manage them yourself, accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero or Wave may be enough on its own. But, businesses with multiple accounts, employees or inventory tend to outgrow DIY bookkeeping fastest.
Managing your books yourself? Check out these free small business budget templates to get started.
Pros and cons of bookkeeping services
PROS
- Frees up hours each month that would otherwise go toward matching transactions to your bank statements and organizing receipts
- Keeps your books audit-ready and tax-ready year-round, rather than scrambling every April
- Gives you accurate, up-to-date financial reports to guide decisions like hiring or inventory purchases
- Several providers offer catch-up bookkeeping if your records have fallen behind
CONS
- Monthly fees can be significant, depending on your business size and service tier
- Most bookkeeping services don’t interpret your financial data, so you may still need an accountant for strategic guidance
- Providers that use in-house software can make switching services harder later
- Payroll and tax preparation are usually separate add-ons, not included in the base price
Bookkeeping vs. accounting services
Bookkeeping focuses on recording financial transactions and generating reports based on that data, while accounting goes further, since an accountant analyzes and interprets those records to help business owners make informed financial decisions.
Most bookkeeping services use accounting software, like QuickBooks or Xero, to record transactions. But some providers use in-house software instead, which can affect your ability to switch services later. This is worth evaluating before choosing an online bookkeeping service.
How to compare small business bookkeeping services
- Pricing: Decide how much you want to spend per month and whether you prefer monthly or annual billing.
- Services offered: Figure out whether you need basic bookkeeping only or also tax preparation, payroll or catch-up bookkeeping. Confirm that the accounting method, cash or accrual, matches your business’s needs.
Cash-basis bookkeeping records income and expenses when money is received or paid. Accrual-basis bookkeeping records income when it’s earned and expenses when they’re billed or incurred, even if money hasn’t changed hands yet.
Accrual provides a more complete picture of your business’s finances but is more complex, so some providers charge extra.
- Dedicated vs. team service: Some providers assign you a single dedicated bookkeeper, while others use a team approach. Consider which you prefer.
- Communication and support: Check how often you’ll meet with your bookkeeper and what contact methods the service offers between meetings.
- Software integrations: Confirm the service integrates with tools you already use, such as QuickBooks, Gusto or Xero, or whether you’re willing to adopt new software.
Frequently asked questions
It’s possible to do your own bookkeeping as a small business owner using accounting software. Most software platforms integrate with your bank and other financial accounts, making it easy to match transactions to your bank statements.
Catch-up bookkeeping (also called cleanup bookkeeping) is the process of bringing your financial records up to date after a period of neglect. Several providers on this list — including 1-800Accountant, Quickbooks, Bench Accounting, Merritt Bookkeeping and Xendoo — offer this as an add-on or included service.
Some do, and some don’t. 1-800Accountant includes tax prep in its Starter and Business Complete plans. Bench includes it in the Core + Tax plan. QuickBooks Live, Bookkeeper360, Pilot and Xendoo offer tax prep as a paid add-on. Wave Advisors doesn’t offer tax prep directly but partners with Block Advisors for tax filing.
How we chose the best online bookkeeping services
We reviewed more than 15 online bookkeeping services to determine the eight best small business bookkeeping services overall. We evaluated platforms based on the following criteria:
- Pricing: We considered the range of pricing tiers available, as well as where the company’s overall pricing range fell in line with the competition.
- Services offered: We considered which services were included in the base package, which were package upgrades and which were considered add-ons.
- Support: We considered how frequently consumers will be able to meet with their bookkeepers and the methods by which they are able to contact their bookkeepers in between meetings.
- Integrations: We took into account any possible integrations with other business or financial software solutions.