Bookkeepers in Ireland: What They Cost & How to Find One (2026) | Good Company Group

Q: How much does a bookkeeper cost in Ireland?

Bookkeepers in Ireland typically charge €35–€50 per hour for ad-hoc work, or €95–€400 per month for ongoing packages. Sole traders with low transaction volumes usually pay €95–€150/month, while small limited companies with VAT and payroll typically pay €150–€250/month. Growing SMEs with 50–150 transactions per month pay €250–€400/month.

Q: Is it cheaper to hire a bookkeeper or do bookkeeping yourself?

For most Irish business owners, outsourcing bookkeeping is cheaper when you factor in your own time. A bookkeeper charging €95–€195/month frees 5–10 hours of your time, which you can redirect to revenue-generating activities. Hiring in-house costs €25,000–€45,000 per year in salary alone, making outsourcing far more cost-effective for most small businesses.

Q: What does a bookkeeper do in Ireland?

A bookkeeper in Ireland records all financial transactions, reconciles bank accounts, manages invoicing, tracks expenses, prepares VAT returns, processes payroll, and produces monthly or quarterly management accounts. They keep your books compliant with Revenue requirements and prepare records for your accountant at year-end.

Q: Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?

Most Irish small businesses need both, but at different stages. A bookkeeper handles the day-to-day recording of transactions and compliance tasks (VAT returns, payroll). An accountant handles higher-level work: year-end accounts, tax planning, and strategic advice. Many businesses use a bookkeeper year-round and an accountant just for annual filings.

Q: Can I outsource bookkeeping in Ireland?

Yes. Outsourcing bookkeeping is common and practical for Irish businesses of all sizes. You share access to your accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage), your bookkeeper works remotely, and you get monthly reports and all returns filed on time. Monthly packages start from €95 for sole traders.

Whether you're a sole trader trying to keep Revenue happy or a small limited company drowning in receipts, finding the right bookkeeper in Ireland can save you time, money, and stress. Here's everything you need to know — including exactly what it costs.

€150–€400

Avg monthly rate (SME)

€35–€50

Hourly rate (ad-hoc)

€30k+/yr

In-house bookkeeper salary

What does a bookkeeper cost in Ireland?

Irish bookkeepers charge €35–€50/hour for ad-hoc work, or monthly packages ranging from:

• €95–€150/month — Sole trader, low transaction volume (<30/month)
• €150–€250/month — Small Ltd company, VAT registered, 10–50 transactions
• €250–€400/month — Growing SME, 50–150 transactions, payroll included
• €25,000–€45,000/year — In-house bookkeeper (salary only, for comparison)

In-House vs Outsourced Bookkeeping

For the vast majority of Irish SMEs, outsourcing is the smarter financial choice. Here's a direct comparison:

	In-House Bookkeeper	Outsourced Bookkeeper
Monthly cost	€2,100–€3,750+	€95–€400
PRSI/employer costs	Yes (~11%)	None
Recruitment cost	€2,000–€5,000	None
Holiday / sick cover	Your problem	Included
Software knowledge	Varies by candidate	Broad (Xero, QB, Sage)
Best for	50+ employees, high volume	Most Irish SMEs

What Affects the Price of Bookkeeping in Ireland?

Bookkeeping prices vary based on several factors. Most providers quote based on monthly transaction volume and the services included:

Transaction volume

The more invoices, receipts, and bank entries per month, the higher the cost

VAT registration

VAT-registered businesses need additional returns prepared (bi-monthly)

Payroll

Each employee added to payroll increases the monthly fee

Ltd company vs sole trader

Limited companies have more obligations — management accounts, CRO filings

Management accounts

Monthly P&L and balance sheet reports add to the package cost

Software used

Switching to or from a platform your bookkeeper doesn't use adds setup time

Our Bookkeeping Packages

At Good Company Group, we offer transparent monthly pricing with no hidden fees:

Starter

Sole trader, up to 30 transactions/month

€95/month

Monthly bank reconciliation
Expense categorisation
Income & expense report
Annual accounts preparation
Revenue compliance

Business

Ltd company, up to 80 transactions/month

€195/month

Growth

Up to 150 transactions/month

€350/month

Everything in Business
Payroll processing (up to 5 staff)
Monthly management accounts
Cash flow forecasting
Dedicated bookkeeper

Company Formation + Bookkeeping Bundle

Starting a new business? Bundle your company formation with ongoing bookkeeping and save. Company formation from €299 + bookkeeping from €95/month — we handle everything from incorporation to keeping your books compliant from day one.

See formation packages

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

A bookkeeper handles the ongoing financial record-keeping that every Irish business is legally required to maintain. Here are the core tasks:

Frequency	Bookkeeper's Tasks
Daily / Weekly	Record income & expenses, categorise transactions, issue and log invoices
Monthly	Reconcile bank accounts, process payroll, produce P&L report, chase debtors
Bi-monthly	Prepare and file VAT returns with Revenue
Annually	Prepare year-end trial balance, hand records to accountant for statutory accounts

How to Choose a Bookkeeper in Ireland

Not all bookkeepers are equal. Use this checklist when evaluating options:

Check their qualifications

Look for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) membership or equivalent Irish certification

Confirm software compatibility

Ensure they work with your existing software (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) or are willing to switch

Ask about VAT experience

Confirm they file Irish VAT returns via ROS and understand Irish VAT rules

Get a fixed monthly price

Avoid hourly-only bookkeepers — fixed monthly packages make budgeting easier

Check their response time

You need someone who responds within 24 hours, not days — especially near deadlines

Ask for references

A good bookkeeper will have Irish business clients willing to vouch for them

Bookkeeper vs Accountant: What's the Difference?

A bookkeeper records and organises your daily financial transactions — invoices, receipts, bank reconciliation, VAT returns, and payroll. An accountant uses those records to prepare statutory accounts, file corporation tax returns, and provide strategic tax planning.

Most Irish SMEs use a bookkeeper year-round (€95–€350/month) and an accountant annually (€800–€2,000/year for year-end work). Together, they cost far less than a full-time in-house hire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bookkeeper cost in Ireland?

Bookkeepers in Ireland typically charge €35–€50 per hour for ad-hoc work, or €95–€400 per month for ongoing packages. Sole traders with low transaction volumes usually pay €95–€150/month, while small limited companies with VAT and payroll typically pay €150–€250/month. Growing SMEs with 50–150 transactions per month pay €250–€400/month.

Is it cheaper to hire a bookkeeper or do bookkeeping yourself?

For most Irish business owners, outsourcing bookkeeping is cheaper when you factor in your own time. A bookkeeper charging €95–€195/month frees 5–10 hours of your time, which you can redirect to revenue-generating activities. Hiring in-house costs €25,000–€45,000 per year in salary alone, making outsourcing far more cost-effective for most small businesses.

What does a bookkeeper do in Ireland?

A bookkeeper in Ireland records all financial transactions, reconciles bank accounts, manages invoicing, tracks expenses, prepares VAT returns, processes payroll, and produces monthly or quarterly management accounts. They keep your books compliant with Revenue requirements and prepare records for your accountant at year-end.

Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?