Top 8 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services in 2025

Top 8 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses (2025)

Watching your business grow and mature is gratifying – the results of your hard work are paying off. With that success comes new considerations and additional responsibilities that you must address as you build toward your business's next milestone. Smart, meticulous bookkeeping is an effective tool to help achieve your long-term business goals, but which bookkeeping service is the right fit for your operations?

Outsourced bookkeeping saves time and keeps you compliant while generating important insights that aid in informed decisions about your business. These services are increasingly popular with small business owners due to their cost-effectiveness, time savings, and flexibility. When you embrace professional, outsourced bookkeeping for your business, you gain peace of mind while leaving tedious, time-consuming bookkeeping tasks behind, including hours of:

Categorizing transactions
Chasing receipts
Compiling reports

Use this article for a deep dive into the top outsourced bookkeeping services for small businesses, including reviewing our list of bookkeeping services, what they do best, and areas where they may be lacking.

Bookkeeping Services You Can Outsource

Outsourced bookkeepers are third-party service providers who perform back-office tasks to organize financial information. Day-to-day outsourced services include:

Categorize transactions such as receipts and business expenses
Track invoices and record revenue upon payment
Reconcile accounts regularly and timely
Prepare financial reports for lenders or investors
Compile tax documentation to support the return filing process

Top 8 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services for Growing Businesses

1-800Accountant

Services	Dedicated accountant with state and industry expertise Expense management Transaction reconciliations Automatic bank account imports Secure receipt storage Mileage tracking Financial reporting Invoicing and payment processing Year-round tax advice and quarterly tax reviews Proactive tax planning Dedicated financial planning Personal tax return preparation Business tax return preparation Tax filing services Audit defense Entity formation services Catch-up bookkeeping Payroll support (add-on service)
Types of businesses who use them	Startups to large organizations benefit from the wide range of services. Small business owners and startup founders can utilize entity formation services, catch-up bookkeeping, and dedicated accounting assistance. Growing businesses can benefit from full-service bookkeeping and financial reporting, tax planning, and business tax filing services. Established companies can utilize dedicated bookkeeping and financial reporting, payroll services, tax advisory, and audit defense.
Software integrations and compatibility	QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, and Wave, among other leading software solutions. Our bookkeepers are fluent in these platforms, ensuring seamless integration and financial data management.
Pros	Free consultation A secure online customer portal and mobile application Accountants and bookkeepers have industry- and state-specific expertise Monthly plans include tax preparation services, financial planning, and tax advisory
Cons
Pricing	The volume of financial transactions determine bookkeeping costs. Pricing details are disclosed during your free consultation, which are tailored to your business needs and budget.

Decimal

Services	Dedicated bookkeeping team Transaction categorization Daily expense reconciliation Bill and invoice payment matching Real-time financial data Industry-specific reports and schedules: Loan reconciliation, inventory & COGS reconciliation, deferred revenue and prepaid expenses, class and location tracking Third-party provider add-on services: CFO services, technology consulting, and tax services such as tax planning, consulting, and tax return preparation
Types of businesses who use them	Project-based, manufacturing, and contract businesses.
Software integrations and compatibility	Banks, payroll services, payment processors, and CRM systems.
Pros	Free consultation Bookkeeping integrates with QuickBooks, Shopify, and other third-party tools Customers can choose cash- or accrual-basis accounting Decimal offers add-on services for advanced financial management and specialized industries
Cons	Prices are quote-based, and new customers can’t review pricing before contacting sales Decimal charges an onboarding fee for all new customers Add-on tax filing and payroll services require a separate third-party provider
Pricing	Decimal offers two pricing tiers: Plus Plan and Premium Plan. New customers must schedule a consultation with the sales team to obtain monthly pricing.

Pilot

Services	Dedicated bookkeeper Automatic bank account imports Transaction reconciliations Income and expense trend reports generated monthly Monthly financial statements, including: Profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flows statement Financial reporting for startup businesses
Types of businesses who use them	Startups in pre-revenue or early growth stages can benefit from industry-specific financial expertise.
Software integrations and compatibility	QuickBooks Online, banks, payment processors, and payroll services.
Pros	Pilot integrates with QuickBooks, Stripe, Square, Shopify, and other third-party tools Pre-revenue startups can qualify for a discounted monthly pricing plan Customer portals provide real-time reporting and monthly financial trends Pilot offers specialized financial services to help businesses grow
Cons	No support for cash-basis bookkeeping No personal income tax return services Pilot charges a mandatory onboarding fee for new customers Add-on tax services include limited business filings, with extra fees for additional returns Monthly plan prices increase as your business grows
Pricing	Pilot offers two standard pricing tiers. Large business owners can request a custom pricing plan consultation. Essentials Plan: $169/month Core Plan : $499/month

Bookkeeper 360

Services	Dedicated accountant Monthly bookkeeping Financial reports Transaction reconciliations Revenue and profitability tracking Cash flow management Payroll analytics
Types of businesses who use them	Businesses with basic bookkeeping and accounting needs can benefit from access to Bookkeeper360’s customer portal with trend reports.
Software integrations and compatibility	Integrates with Quickbooks, Xero, and Gusto.
Pros	Free trial Bookkeeper360 offers both a desktop platform and a mobile application Customers can choose cash- or accrual-basis bookkeeping
Cons	The pay-as-you-go pricing plan includes limited features, with extra charges for dedicated support Advanced reporting and analysis require additional fees Add-on payroll, sales tax, and back-office services require a separate third-party provider
Pricing	Bookkeeper360 offers three standard pricing tiers. Large business owners can request a quote for fractional CFO services. Pay As You Go Plan: $19 per month + $150 per hour of support Bookkeeping Plan: Starting at $399 per month, depending on monthly business expense volume Bookkeeping + Tax Plan: Starting at $599 per month.

QuickBooks Live

Services	Live Expert Assisted LIve Expert Cleanup Live Expert Full-Service Bookkeeping Income and expenses Bookkeeping automation Invoice and payments Comprehensive reports Receipt capture Mileage tracking Cash flow Sales and sales tax
Types of businesses who use them	Small business owners who also use QuickBooks Online.
Software integrations and compatibility	E-commerce platforms, payment processors, payroll, and hundreds of third-party apps compatible with QuickBooks Online.
Pros	Saves time Cost effective vs. hiring in-house bookkeeper Deep expertise Accuracy User-friendly
Cons	Narrow scope of service Slower response time than competitors Must be used in conjunction with QuickBooks Online Uneven customer support
Pricing	$30 – $200/month, requires QuickBooks Online Live Expert Cleanup – One-time $500 fee

Paro

Services	Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable to view financial position Maintaining tax compliance through effective payroll management. Generating basic financial statements and reports for management. Reconciling accounts and ensuring a quick, accurate month-end close. Monitoring and managing cash flow to spot changes from business-as-usual. Overseeing accounting clerks when necessary.
Types of businesses who use them	Small businesses, startups, midsize firms
Software integrations and compatibility	QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite
Pros	Access to vetted experts via a six-step vetting process Service is flexible and on demand AI fuels matching system Services beyond bookkeeping, including financial reporting
Cons	Inconsistent quality High costs and possible overbilling Customer service is insufficient Pricing lacks transparency Pricing lacks a flat-rate option High turnover rate
Pricing	Contact Paro for precise pricing.

Indinero

Services	Reviewing and updating financial records Reconciling accounts Categorizing business transactions in real time Accounts receivable and payable management Creation of financial statements, including balance sheets and cash flow statements Payroll support Catch-up bookkeeping Cloud-based document management
Types of businesses who use them	Small businesses, startups, and mid-market businesses
Software integrations and compatibility	Integrates with cloud-based accounting software such as NetSuite and QuickBooks Online
Pros	Insights generated in real time Qualified team of experts Scalability Data security Seamless integrations
Cons	Higher costs Inconsistent customer service Limited features API integration issues
Pricing	Essential plan: $750/month Growth plan: $1,250/month

Maxim Liberty

Services	Catch-up bookkeeping Bank reconciliation Payroll processing Receivable and vendor invoice management Financial reporting Virtual bookkeeping Monthly and outsourced bookkeeping QuickBooks support
Types of businesses who use them	Small, medium, and large businesses
Software integrations and compatibility	Zero, QuickBooks, and other cloud-based software solutions
Pros	Competitive pricing Positive customer approval Free trial Secure Flexibility and serves diverse industries
Cons	Bookkeeping is handled offshore Limited discovery engagement Lacks scalability for larger businesses
Pricing	Bookkeeping starts at $60/month (up to five hours) and up to $270/month (up to 30 hours).

Bookkeeping Outsourcing Options to Consider

Outside of hiring an in-house bookkeeper, there are three main options that small businesses should consider: outsourced, offshored, and onshored bookkeeping.

If you hire an eternal bookkeeper or bookkeeping firm to handle your business's books, that is typically known as outsourcing. Outsourced bookkeeping firms can be located in your city, state, country, or may be headquartered outside of the United States. Offshore bookkeeping is similar, with the distinction being the use of a firm or professional bookkeeper who operates exclusively outside the country. Onshore bookkeepers aren't much different than outsourced bookkeepers, with the main distinction being that onshore bookkeepers are based solely in America.

When deciding which is right for you, consider:

Outsourcing is a cost-effective solution, but it can be less personal.
Offshoring can be cost-efficient, but the bookkeeper may be unfamiliar with the US tax code, payroll requirements, and other key details.
Onshoring could be more expensive, but it would involve fewer cultural, language, or knowledge barriers compared to bookkeeping firms based outside the country.

Pros and cons of outsourcing bookkeeping

Pros	Cons
Cost-effectiveness: Outsourced bookkeeping reduces employment costs, equipment expenses, and payroll taxes.	Loss of direct control: You need to rely on your bookkeeper's expertise.
Expertise: You gain access to third-party professionals and industry specialists.	Security concerns: Sharing sensitive financial data with a third party presents privacy risks.
Time management: You can reclaim time and energy to focus on business growth.	Potential communication challenges: Working with service providers requires clear communication to avoid misunderstandings.
Flexibility: You can continuously refine your bookkeeping needs to adapt to your growing business.	System integration: You may need to learn to use new bookkeeping software.
Compliance: Your provider organizes your data in preparation for tax returns, payroll filings, and financial reporting.

Choosing the Right Outsourced Bookkeeping Solution for Your Business

You understand that accurate bookkeeping is vital to your small business. How do you know which outsourced bookkeeping or accounting solution is the best fit? Review the benefits of each option to decide the right arrangement for your business.

Bookkeeping Solution	Benefits of This Solution
Full-time bookkeeping employee	A full-time bookkeeper intimately understands your company’s facts. Your bookkeeper focuses solely on your business.
Local outsourced bookkeeping	A local service provider can attend in-person meetings at your office. Local bookkeepers can handle paper receipts and statements.
Virtual outsourced bookkeeping	A virtual outsourced bookkeeper can balance your books anytime, not just during business hours. Cloud-based systems can automatically connect to your business accounts for real-time updates. Your bookkeeper can consistently provide up-to-date reports when you need them. Virtual outsourced bookkeepers can scale their services as your business grows. Your business avoids overhead expenses and enjoys maximum cost-effectiveness.

Partner with Us for Expertise with All of Your Bookkeeping Needs

Trusting the expert bookkeepers, CPAs, and tax professionals at 1-800Accountant, America's leading virtual accounting services firm, for outsourced bookkeeping allows you to run your business without pausing for paperwork.

We provide accurate account reconciliations and timely transaction categorization. Furthermore, our flat pricing provides you with transparency on monthly fees. Rely on our bookkeeping expertise to keep your business compliant with tax and reporting requirements.

Partner with 1-800Accountant to unlock your potential for business success. Schedule a quick call, usually 30 minutes or less, with one of our small business professionals today.

Bookkeeping Outsourcing FAQs

What is outsourced bookkeeping?

Generally, third-party service providers who categorize transactions and reconcile account balances are considered outsourced bookkeepers. While bookkeepers perform back-office tasks to organize the financial data for your business, they do not typically analyze financial data for trends (accountants perform analyses). Still, some bookkeepers can help you pinpoint weak cash flow or high spending.

Why should you outsource your bookkeeping?

Business owners have outsourced accounting services and bookkeeping for various reasons. The benefits of outsourced bookkeeping services include cost-effectiveness, scalability, and improved compliance. These are some of the top reasons to consider outsourced bookkeeping, including cost savings and financial efficiency, access to expertise, time management and focus, scalability and flexibility, and smooth compliance.

Who benefits from outsourced bookkeeping services?

How do you know if you should use outsourced bookkeeping services? Think through the following criteria and consider whether the descriptions fit your situation. Outsourced bookkeeping may work well with your business if one or more items apply to your company.

You have minimal experience categorizing transactions or reconciling accounts.
Your business processes a high volume of transactions each month
Your company sells numerous products or service offerings.
You purchase goods and services from multiple vendors or service providers.
You and your employees have low bandwidth for bookkeeping responsibilities.

How much do outsourced bookkeeping services cost?

Outsourced bookkeeping costs vary depending on each company’s facts. Does your business complete hundreds of transactions each month? Perhaps you sell services to a small number of customers?

The more complex your operations, the more your outsourced bookkeeping services will cost. Alternatively, simple enterprises require less time-intensive bookkeeping work and fewer fees.

Bookkeeping service providers offer varying pricing arrangements. Rates depend on your company’s complexity and the firm’s level of expertise. Pricing arrangements include hourly or flat-rate pricing:

Hourly fees may range from $20 to over $ 100 per hour. You’ll incur charges for each hour your bookkeeper assists your business.
Flat pricing represents a fixed monthly rate. You’ll have complete transparency about your monthly fees upfront.

Consult with an outsourced bookkeeping service provider for an estimated cost.

How much can outsourced bookkeeping save a business?

Hiring a full-time bookkeeper requires interviewing, training a new employee, and paying a full-time salary. The average annual bookkeeper salary is about $46,000. Additional compensation expenses include benefits, taxes, and office equipment. Employers also suffer productivity loss during employees’ paid time off.

In comparison, outsourced bookkeeping offers cost savings and financial efficiency. Bookkeeping firms only charge you for their services, sparing you the overhead costs.

How does bookkeeping help compliance?

Outsourced bookkeepers reconcile your accounts year-round. Timely financial statements help you prepare for seamless tax filings and payroll reports. Instead of scrambling to compile reports, you can rely on up-to-date documentation. You’ll also be ready to respond to a payroll or IRS audit.

Outsourced bookkeeping supports accurate and timely business compliance, and is one of the best steps you can take to stay audit-ready in the event the IRS sends notice.

This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. 1-800Accountant assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.

Top 8 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses (2025)