Question 1

How much does a bookkeeper cost in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Professional bookkeeping services in Canada typically range from $200 to $1,500+ per month depending on your transaction volume, complexity, and additional services like payroll and HST filing. Simple businesses with under 50 transactions per month can expect to pay $200-$350, while larger operations with 400+ transactions may pay $900-$1,500+. These are monthly retainer rates for ongoing service — hourly rates for bookkeepers range from $25-$60/hour.

Question 2

What factors affect bookkeeping pricing?

Accepted Answer

The biggest factor is monthly transaction volume — more transactions means more reconciliation work. Other factors include whether you need payroll processing, HST filing, the complexity of your chart of accounts, the number of bank and credit card accounts, whether you need accounts receivable management, and which accounting software you use. Businesses with multiple revenue streams or inventory tracking typically pay more.

Question 3

Is it cheaper to do my own bookkeeping?

Accepted Answer

While DIY bookkeeping has no direct cost, most business owners underestimate the time involved and the cost of errors. Missed deductions, late HST filings, and messy books at year-end can cost thousands in penalties and lost tax savings. Professional bookkeeping typically pays for itself through cleaner records, faster year-end preparation, and better financial visibility for decision-making.

Question 4

What is included in a monthly bookkeeping package?

Accepted Answer

A typical monthly bookkeeping package includes bank and credit card reconciliation, expense categorization, monthly financial reports (profit & loss, balance sheet), accounts payable and receivable management, and cloud software maintenance. Higher-tier packages add payroll processing, HST filing, custom KPI dashboards, and a dedicated bookkeeper.

Question 5

How much does catch-up bookkeeping cost?

Accepted Answer

Catch-up bookkeeping is typically charged as a one-time fee ranging from $500 to $2,500+, depending on how many months you are behind and the complexity of your transactions. A business that is 3-6 months behind with straightforward transactions might pay $500-$1,000, while one that is 1-2 years behind with multiple accounts could pay $1,500-$2,500+. We assess this during your free consultation.

How Much Does Bookkeeping Cost?

What Drives Bookkeeping Costs?

Transaction Volume

Bank & Credit Accounts

Payroll Processing

HST Filing

Industry Complexity

DIY vs Professional

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Bookkeeping Services

Bookkeeper Cost Guide

Bookkeeping vs Accounting

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