How this usually works
To answer how much does bookkeeping cost per month, work backwards from your real-world activity: number of bank accounts and transactions, whether you issue invoices and chase debtors, the size and frequency of payroll, GST/BAS cycle, and any reporting deadlines. These are the inputs providers use to price your work.
Next, decide whether you want compliance-only (coding, reconciliations, BAS) or a more proactive service (cash flow, KPI dashboards, monthly calls). A clear scope avoids unexpected fees and makes fixed pricing easier.
Average monthly bookkeeping costs in Australia (guide)
- Micro business (sole trader, side-hustle, low volume): $200–$600/month for coding, bank recs and basic BAS support.
- Small business (steady trading, 1–5 staff, GST): $600–$1,200+/month including AR/AP assistance and quarterly BAS.
- Growing or payroll-heavy (6–20 staff, multiple systems): $1,200–$3,000+/month incl. payroll processing and monthly reporting.
- Complex or multi-entity groups: from $2,500+/month depending on consolidation, inventory, projects and oversight required.
Common extras to budget for:
- BAS preparation and lodgement: $150–$450 per lodgement for simple files; more if complex or with adjustments.
- Payroll processing: typically $8–$20+ per employee per pay run, plus year-end STP finalisation.
- Cleanup/catch-up: one-off $600–$5,000+ depending on backlog and corrections.
- Software: Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks plans typically $30–$120+/month per entity, depending on features and add-ons.
Australian context to keep in view
- GST/BAS: If registered, you’ll lodge monthly or quarterly. BAS work must be done by you or a registered BAS agent if you want them to lodge.
- Payroll: Single Touch Payroll (STP) is mandatory. Super Guarantee payments and award compliance increase processing time.
- Records: Timely coding and reconciliations reduce year-end accountant fees and improve cash flow visibility.
- Tools: Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks plus integrations (POS, eCommerce, time tracking) can save time but may add complexity.
What to compare before you commit
Scope
Confirm coding, bank recs, AR/AP, payroll, BAS prep/lodge, reporting cadence, cleanup, and meetings. Write volumes into the engagement so pricing tracks reality.
Software fit
Check capability with your stack (e.g., Xero and add-ons). Ask for a simple workflow diagram of how documents flow into your ledger and who approves what.
Turnaround and communication
Agree on processing frequency, response SLAs, and how urgent issues are handled during BAS and payroll cycles.
Commercial fit
Hourly ($60–$120+), fixed-fee, or hybrid. Ensure you understand inclusions, out-of-scope rates, review dates, and how fee changes are triggered.
Hourly vs fixed-fee vs hybrid
- Fixed-fee: Budget certainty; best for stable volumes. Ensure clear assumptions and a quarterly scope review.
- Hourly: Flexible for variable work or projects (cleanups, system changes). Requires tight briefs and time reporting.
- Hybrid: Core fixed package plus hourly for ad hoc tasks or seasonal peaks. Common for fast-growing teams.
- Onshore vs offshore: Offshore can reduce cost but may increase coordination time. Ensure data security and review controls.
Typical scopes by business size
- Sole trader/micro: Monthly coding and reconciliation, receipts capture, quarterly BAS, light support messages.
- Small business: Weekly processing, debtor/creditor assistance, payroll for 1–5 staff, quarterly BAS, monthly reports.
- Growing team: Fortnightly or weekly cycles, payroll for 6–20 staff, AR/AP workflows, monthly BAS (if required), management packs and cash flow.
- Complex: Multi-entity consolidation, inventory/projects, multi-currency, board reporting, CFO oversight.
Best next steps
List your approximate monthly transactions, number of bank/merchant feeds, payroll headcount and cycle, BAS frequency, and any integrations. Decide if you need compliance-only or management reporting as well.
Then compare providers on scope clarity, responsiveness, and software fluency—not just price. A well-scoped engagement usually costs less overall and avoids surprises.
Frequently asked questions
How Much Does Bookkeeping Cost Per Month?
Guide only: Micro $200–$600/month; Small $600–$1,200+/month; Growing/Payroll-heavy $1,200–$3,000+/month; Multi-entity from $2,500+. Hourly rates often $60–$120+ depending on experience and BAS registration.
What should I check before deciding?
Check transaction volume and complexity, payroll headcount and frequency, GST/BAS timing, AR/AP workload, software/integrations, and whether you need management reporting. Write these into the scope.
What extras affect the monthly fee?
BAS prep/lodge ($150–$450+ per lodgement), payroll processing ($8–$20+ per employee per pay run), cleanup/catch-up ($600–$5,000+ one-off), and software subscriptions ($30–$120+/month).
When should I get professional advice?
When you add payroll, change structure, face overdue BAS, switch software, manage inventory/multi-currency, or need board-ready reports. Scoping early reduces errors and cost.
What is the safest next step?
Use the ranges above to set a budget, define your volumes, then request fixed-fee or hybrid quotes. If you need GST lodgement support, ensure the provider is a registered BAS agent.