Free tool
In-house vs outsourced bookkeeper cost calculator
Use this cost of in house bookkeeper calculator to compare the fully loaded annual cost of hiring a bookkeeper (salary, employer taxes, benefits, software, overhead, recruiting and cover) with a dedicated remote accountant. Enter your numbers; the calculator shows the loaded cost, the gap and the hours you get back. Estimates only, not a LedgerBPO price.
In-house vs outsourced bookkeeper cost calculator
Fully loaded in-house cost per year
$71,000
Loaded in-house cost per month
$5,917
Outsourced cost per year
$18,000
Difference per year
$53,000
Estimates for orientation only. Not a LedgerBPO price or a promise. See assumptions below.
How the calculator works
Loaded cost = salary × (1 + payroll tax rate) + benefits + overhead + recruiting and training. The monthly figure divides by 12. The outsourced annual cost is the monthly fee × 12. The difference is loaded cost minus outsourced cost; a positive number means outsourcing costs less on these inputs.
Assumptions and sources
- Default salary of $52,000 sits inside the published US bookkeeper salary range of $40,000 to $60,000 (RadCity, UseCalcPro, 2026); UK £24,700 to £32,100; Canada C$45,000 to C$60,000.
- Employer payroll taxes and insurance default to 10%; UK employer NI is 15% above £5,000 from April 2025.
- The outsourced fee is whatever you enter. It is not a LedgerBPO price. Pricing depends on volume and scope, so we send a custom quote within 1 business day.
- The calculator ignores the cost of errors, cover during leave and management time, which usually favor the dedicated-team option further.
What to do with your result
If the gap is meaningful, read how a dedicated accountant plus backup plus team lead works on the how-it-works page, then request a quote using your real transaction volume.
Frequently asked questions
What does fully loaded cost mean?
Everything an employee costs beyond salary: employer payroll taxes and insurance, benefits, software seats, equipment, desk space, recruiting, onboarding and training. US sources put the loaded cost of a bookkeeper at $6,000 or more per month (RadCity, UseCalcPro, 2026).
What should I enter for the outsourced fee?
Use a quote you have received, or a published market range from the outsourcing cost calculator. LedgerBPO quotes are custom because pricing depends on volume and scope.
Does outsourcing always cost less?
Not always. Very small businesses with a few dozen transactions may be cheaper with a part-time bookkeeper, and very large operations may need in-house controllers alongside outsourced processing. The calculator shows your numbers so you can decide.
What about the time I spend managing the bookkeeper?
The calculator leaves it out to stay conservative. Owners spend 120 or more hours a year on bookkeeping when they do it themselves (RadCity, 2026); a managed team with a team lead removes most of the supervision too.
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