Most CPA firms considering outsourced bookkeeping run into the same problem: pricing pages that quote a single flat number, which almost never matches what a real engagement ends up costing. The honest answer is that outsourced bookkeeping is usually priced one of three ways, and which one applies depends on the shape of the work.
Per-client monthly pricing
This is the most common model for ongoing bookkeeping — a flat monthly fee per client file, typically in the $180–$350 range depending on transaction volume and reconciliation complexity. It works well when the workload per client is predictable month to month.
Hourly pricing
For overflow work, cleanup projects, or anything that doesn't recur on a fixed schedule, hourly pricing (typically $12–$22/hour depending on the task) is usually a better fit than trying to force it into a flat monthly rate.
Per-return pricing during tax season
Return preparation support is almost always priced per return rather than hourly, since the value delivered scales with return complexity, not time spent. Simple individual returns typically start around $35, with business returns (1120S, 1065) starting from roughly $120.
The question to ask before comparing quotes
Is the provider pricing the actual workload, or selling a package you don't need? A firm that only has two overflow clients doesn't need a dedicated full-time staff contract — and a firm processing hundreds of returns during tax season shouldn't be paying an hourly rate that doesn't scale with volume. The right pricing model follows the work, not the other way around.