Bookkeeping is one of the most Googled costs for Irish small business owners — and one of the most confusing. Here's the real picture: what you'll pay, what affects the price, and why outsourcing is almost always cheaper than hiring in-house.
€150–€500
per month outsourced
€35k–€55k
per year in-house
~15 hrs
saved per month
Hourly vs Monthly — Which Makes Sense?
Bookkeeping is priced in two ways: hourly rates for ad-hoc work, and monthly retainers for ongoing service. Here's how to choose:
Hourly Rate
€25–€50/hr
Best for: occasional help, ad-hoc queries, catch-up bookkeeping
- Flexible — pay only when needed
- Good for pre-VAT businesses
- Unpredictable monthly cost
- No continuity or deadline tracking
Monthly Retainer
€95–€650/mo
Best for: regular trading businesses, VAT-registered, payroll
- Predictable fixed monthly cost
- Deadlines tracked and managed
- Software usually included
- Ongoing Revenue compliance
For most Irish SMEs, a monthly package is more predictable and cheaper overall. Once you're VAT-registered and have any payroll, hourly rates become expensive — a monthly retainer at €150–€300 typically covers everything.
In-House vs Outsourced — The Real Cost Comparison
The most important cost question isn't "which outsourced package?" — it's "should I hire someone?" Here's the full picture:
| Cost Item | In-House Bookkeeper | Outsourced Bookkeeping |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | €35,000–€55,000/year | — |
| Employer PRSI (11.05%) | €3,867–€6,078/year | — |
| Software (Xero/Sage) | €500–€2,000/year | Included |
| Training / CPD | €500–€1,500/year | Included |
| Annual leave cover | Your problem | Included |
| Monthly all-in cost | €3,300–€5,300/month | €150–€500/month |
Outsourcing is typically 5–10x cheaper
For businesses under €500k revenue, outsourced bookkeeping at €150–€300/month is almost always the better financial decision. The break-even point for in-house only makes sense above €750k–€1m revenue with complex, high-volume operations.
What Affects Your Monthly Price
Transaction volume
50 transactions/month vs 500/month is a significant difference in work. High-volume businesses (retail, hospitality) pay more than low-volume consultancies.
VAT registered?
Being VAT-registered adds 1.5–2 hours of work every 2 months (VAT3 preparation and filing). Expect to pay €30–€80 more per month if VAT applies.
Payroll
Each payslip adds €15–€30/month to your bookkeeping bill. A business with 5 employees on weekly payroll adds €75–€150/month in payroll processing costs alone.
Software
Xero costs €14–€70/month standalone. Sage €15–€50/month. Many outsourced bookkeeping packages include software cost — always check before comparing prices.
Real Example — What a Typical Irish SME Pays
Case study: Dublin café — 2026
Annual turnover
€200,000
VAT registered
Yes (bi-monthly)
Employees
4 staff
Monthly transactions
~200
Typical outsourced bookkeeping cost:
€250–€350/month
Includes VAT returns, payroll for 4 staff, bank reconciliation, and management reports.
Good Company Bookkeeping Packages
Essential
Sole traders, micro businesses
€150/month
- Monthly transaction recording
- Bank reconciliation
- VAT returns
- Basic management reports
Professional
Small businesses, 1–10 employees
€300/month
- Everything in Essential
- Payroll (up to 5 staff)
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Monthly P&L reports
Premium
Growing businesses, complex needs
€500/month
- Everything in Professional
- Payroll (up to 15 staff)
- Cashflow forecasting
- Quarterly business reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bookkeeper cost per month in Ireland?
Outsourced bookkeeping for an Irish small business costs €95–€650/month. Good Company's packages start at €150/month (Essential) for sole traders and micro-businesses, and €300/month (Professional) for businesses with 1–10 employees. Price depends mainly on transaction volume, VAT status, and payroll requirements.
What does a bookkeeper actually do for a small business?
A bookkeeper records all financial transactions, reconciles bank accounts, manages accounts payable and receivable, prepares VAT returns, processes payroll, and produces management reports. For Revenue compliance, they maintain records in the format required for audit — a legal requirement for all Irish businesses.
Is it better to hire a bookkeeper or an accountant?
Most Irish SMEs need both. A bookkeeper handles day-to-day transaction recording throughout the year. An accountant prepares annual financial statements, files Corporation Tax returns, and handles strategic tax planning. Good Company provides both under one roof — bookkeeping monthly and accountancy for year-end and compliance.
What bookkeeping software do Irish businesses use?
The most popular options are Xero (widely used by Irish accountants and bookkeepers), Sage (established businesses), QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. Revenue requires VAT-compliant records — all major platforms comply. Good Company works with all platforms; software cost is typically included in outsourced packages.
How many hours a month does a small business need a bookkeeper?
A micro-business with 50–100 transactions/month needs 2–4 hours of bookkeeping. A small business with 200–500 transactions, VAT, and payroll for 3–5 employees needs 8–15 hours/month. At €35–€50/hour for freelance bookkeeping, that's €280–€750/month — making a monthly retainer (€150–€500) more cost-effective for most businesses.
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