---
title: "In-house vs outsourced bookkeeper cost calculator"
description: "Free in-house vs outsourced bookkeeper cost calculator: enter your numbers and see results instantly, with formulas and assumptions explained."
url: https://ledgerbpo.com/tools/in-house-vs-outsourced-calculator/
updated: 2026-09-11
publisher: LedgerBPO (SS Support Network LLC)
language: en-US
---

# In-house vs outsourced bookkeeper cost calculator

Free tool

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.

Updated September 2026

## 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.

Next step

## Books closed. Invoices paid. Every month.

Tell us what is going on with your books or billing. You will hear from a named person within 1 business day, with a custom quote and a plan for the first close.

- Reply from a named person within 1 business day
- No setup fee, month-to-month
- Your software, your data, no lock-in

Start with a custom quote

[Get a custom quote](https://ledgerbpo.com/get-a-quote/) [Book a 20-minute call](https://ledgerbpo.com/book-a-call/) Or call [+1-657-777-0006](tel:+16577770006) during US, UK or Australian business hours.

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Source: https://ledgerbpo.com/tools/in-house-vs-outsourced-calculator/ · Contact: https://ledgerbpo.com/contact/ · Full site map for agents: https://ledgerbpo.com/llms.txt