Outsourced vs In-House Bookkeeping Cost in Central Florida
Outsourced vs. In-House Bookkeeping: What It Really Costs a Central Florida Small Business
By Calicia Landry, Cal The Bookkeeper
The short answer: A full-time in-house bookkeeper costs the typical small business about $74,000 a year once benefits and employer payroll taxes are added to salary. Outsourced bookkeeping for a small business usually costs $1,800 to $10,200 a year, depending on how many accounts and services you need. For most businesses with fewer than 20 employees, outsourcing costs a fraction of a hire and removes the risk of relying on one employee.
Below is the math, the costs that don't show up on a job posting, and an honest look at when hiring in-house is the better choice.
What Does an In-House Bookkeeper Cost?
A bookkeeper's salary is only part of what you pay. Employers also cover payroll taxes, paid leave, insurance, and retirement contributions. For full-time private-sector workers, these add about 46 cents for every dollar of wages.
In-house option | Annual wages | Benefits and employer taxes | Total yearly cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time, median pay | $50,670 | ~$23,340 | ~$74,000 | ~$6,170 |
Full-time, entry-level | $36,000 | ~$16,580 | ~$52,600 | ~$4,380 |
Part-time (20 hrs/week, median rate) | ~$25,340 | ~$6,330 | ~$31,700 | ~$2,640 |
Estimates based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (May 2025) and employer compensation cost data (June 2026). Local salary surveys put the average Orlando-area bookkeeper near $51,000, in line with the national median.
These figures don't include accounting software, a computer and workspace, hiring costs, or training, and each of those adds to the total.
What Does Outsourced Bookkeeping Cost?
Outsourced bookkeeping is priced by the scope of the work, not by the hour or the headcount. At Cal The Bookkeeper, monthly packages start at:
Package | Best for | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
Essential | 1 bank or credit card account | $150+ | $1,800+ |
Professional | 1–3 accounts, plus sales tax filing | $350+ | $4,200+ |
Enterprise | 3+ accounts, plus full payroll processing | $850+ | $10,200+ |
Even the most complete package costs about $63,000 a year less than a full-time bookkeeper at median pay.
Side-by-Side: Outsourced vs. In-House
In-house bookkeeper | Outsourced bookkeeper | |
|---|---|---|
Typical yearly cost | $31,700–$74,000+ | $1,800–$10,200+ |
Benefits and payroll taxes | You pay them | Included in the fee |
Coverage during vacation or sick days | Work stops | Work continues |
Turnover risk | Rehire and retrain | None for you |
Expertise | One person's skill set | Certified ProAdvisor with multi-client experience |
Software and training | You provide and pay for it | Included |
On-site presence | Yes | Remote, with in-person meetings available locally |
The Hidden Costs of In-House Bookkeeping
Turnover. When a bookkeeper leaves, you pay to recruit and train a replacement, and your books can fall behind in the meantime. Catch-up work after a gap is often more expensive than the ongoing work would have been.
Single point of failure. If one employee is the only person who understands your books, a resignation, illness, or extended leave can leave you without current financials during tax season.
Lack of separation of duties. In a small office, the same person often records transactions, reconciles accounts, and handles payments. Accountants recommend splitting those duties so no one person controls the entire process. An outside bookkeeper adds that check.
Management time. An employee needs supervision, reviews, and someone to check their work. If you aren't a finance expert, that's hard to do well.
When In-House Makes Sense
Outsourcing isn't right for every business. Hiring in-house can be the better choice when:
You process a very high volume of daily transactions that need someone on site.
Your bookkeeper also handles front-desk, office manager, or administrative work.
You run several entities with complex, constantly changing needs.
You already have a controller or CFO who can supervise and review the work.
Many growing businesses use a hybrid model: an in-house staff member handles daily data entry, and an outside bookkeeper reconciles, reviews, and closes the books each month.
When Outsourcing Makes Sense
Outsourcing is usually the smarter choice if:
You have fewer than 20 employees.
Your books need a few hours of work a week, not 40.
You want accurate monthly financial statements without adding payroll.
You're behind on your books and need catch-up or clean-up work.
You want a certified expert rather than training someone yourself.
How to Decide: 5 Questions to Ask
How many hours a week does my bookkeeping really take?
What would it cost me if my books fell three months behind?
Who would check my bookkeeper's work?
Do I need someone physically in my office, or just accurate books?
What is my time worth if I stop doing the books myself?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does outsourced bookkeeping cost for a small business?
Most small businesses pay $150 to $850 or more per month, depending on the number of bank and credit card accounts and whether payroll or sales tax filing is included. That works out to about $1,800 to $10,200 or more per year.
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Central Florida?
A full-time bookkeeper earning the median wage costs about $74,000 a year once benefits and employer payroll taxes are included. A part-time bookkeeper working 20 hours a week costs about $31,700 a year.
Is outsourced bookkeeping secure?
Yes. Outsourced bookkeeping is typically done in cloud accounting software such as QuickBooks Online, which uses bank-level encryption and gives you full access to your own books at all times.
Can I switch from an in-house bookkeeper to outsourced bookkeeping?
Yes. An outside bookkeeper can take over your existing QuickBooks file, clean up any errors, and continue from there. Many businesses make the switch when an in-house bookkeeper leaves.
Get a Real Number for Your Business
Every business is different. Cal The Bookkeeper is a Certified QuickBooks Platinum ProAdvisor based in Clermont and serves small businesses across Lake County and Central Florida through virtual bookkeeping. Explore bookkeeping services and payroll services, or book a free consultation for a quote based on your actual accounts.
Schedule a Free Consultation · Call (352) 744-9141
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (May 2025 wage data); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (June 2026).
