Book -Keepers Fees

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 9 in General accounting discussion
I know this question has been asked numerous times before, but could anyone tell me what they charge for book-keeping per hour? I know it varies with where you live etc, but it would be interesting to get a rough average. I am quoting £15 per hour at present, but just heard someone else nearby is £25per hour!!! I am in South East. :?

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I'm up north & charge between £9 and £15 per hour. £25 per hour working 35 hours a week 48 weeks a year works out at a rather hefty £42k per year :shock: not bad for a bookkeeper - do you know if they've got much work?!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I normally charge about £15 per hour (I am in the Midlands). However if the accounts are in a state I do charge more to put things right, but normally this is a one off charge. This seems to be about the going rate for book keeping in my area.

    Michelle
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I am also up North and quoting £15 per hour however I do some work for £12.50 per hour as I get a lot of book-keeping work for one particular client. I did have someone tell me that this is excessive though as they were only willing to pay £7 per hour! Needless to say I didnt do business with them

    Jo
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    hi, im in west yorkshire....i too charge £15ph, clients have initially said its expensive, but i tell them they get what they pay for (professional service) :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    Hi. I am in East Devon and generally charge £15 ph for basic bookkeeping, £20 ph to prooduce management accounts. I will give a discount for regular clients or charge one off fees for setting up a system for a client.

    Firms of accountants in this area charge £20 to £25 ph so I have to keep my charges lower on the basis that my overheads are lower. However, their fees relate to work done on their own premises whereas I will charge the same price for visiting the client (and it means that I get out ....yay!) so I just need to cover my travelling time and costs.

    Empployed bookkeepers in this area earn about £7 ph.

    Hope this helps

    Sharon
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    Thanks everyone for your replies. It seems £15per hour is the average rate - regardless of where you live. Good to have something to work around! :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    It's true, you do get what you pay for. The trouble is, lots of small business owners who are looking for a bookkeeper for the first time don't know what to expect from a bookkeeper, or how to spot a good one. Then there are the people who study a ten week bookkeeping course and believe they can command £35 per hour! - very alarming
    I charge about two thirds of the average fee charged by local acccountants for bookkeeping work. I charge the same rate for most regular work - payroll, management accounts and bookkeeping - but I might charge more if I'm just doing management accounts, VAT etc.
    £7 per hour seems low, but I suppose it depends what the job actually entails. If it's mostly run of the mill data input with some general admin work thrown in, that is very different to doing bank recs, VAT returns and management accounts.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    Try the AAT link http://www.hays.com/accountancy/salary-survey-archive-acc.aspx?camp=aff-af-candattsglink
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    Thanks Michael - I have just had a look at that link, very interesting. :)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I am in Newcastle and charge £20/hour for bookkeeping, payroll & VAT and £30/hour for accounts & tax returns. No complaints from my clients so far about these levels of fees.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I wish we could get away with those levels of fee in West Wales. We do well to get £10 an hour!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I suppose it comes down to the services you provide and how you 'sell' yourself. I know that I am offering as professional a service as a Chartered Accountant would and at a fraction of the cost. I work FT within a top-30 firm (my personal clients are in addition to this) and my charge-out rate within my job is almost double what I charge my clients (for doing exactly the same level of work!).
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I have to say, Paul, that I agree with you. I'm in a similar position, except with a small practice. My charge out rate at my FT job is double, too.

    Oh yes, and I also agree that we offer a fairly equal service. We had a conversation about this in college, today, and my view is that we have to do our bit to keep the standard, and the fees, up. If anyone wants to take on an unqualified person, then so be it. We can always pick up the pieces, later; and charge accordingly :wink:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    I have just taken on some sub-contract work from an accountant. He used the services of an unqualified pretty much to his detriment.
    Not only had he paid them but he is now paying me to put the work right as he is too busy to sort it himself.

    Michelle
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    What sort of course would you say means you are qualified? As I'm interesting in starting but don't want to be the 'unqualified'. I have done AAT Foundation, doing Intermediate and have done a Basic Bookkeeping course.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Book -Keepers Fees

    Are there any book-keepers in the West Midlands area around Birmingham or Worcester looking for work?

    I have an expanding client base and need someone to help me on a job by job basis. Also I have a vacancy for a full-time book-keeper to work for one client at their office.

    If anyone is interested please email me at;

    anna@hughesfinance.wanadoo.co.uk

    with cv and as much detail about yourself as possible.

    Thanks

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