What is Hourly Rate for a Bookkeeper in UK

Diploma in Professional Accounting
Diploma for Financial Advisers
Member of London Institute of Banking and Finance

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In the UK, the average hourly rate for a freelance bookkeeper in 2025 is typically between £25 and £40 per hour. This rate varies significantly based on the bookkeeper’s experience, qualifications (e.g., AAT or ICB certified), and location, with rates in London being considerably higher.

Why Hourly Bookkeeping Rates Can Be Misleading

While paying by the hour seems straightforward, it can often be the most expensive and stressful option for a small business. You are paying for time, not results. An inefficient or slow bookkeeper will end up costing you more than an experienced, fast one.

The main drawbacks of hourly rates are:

• No Cost Control: You’ll have no idea what your bill will be at the end of the month. A messy quarter could result in a surprise bill for £500 instead of the £150 you were expecting.
• It Penalises Efficiency: A modern, experienced accountant who uses software to do a job in 1 hour gets paid less than an old-school bookkeeper who takes 4 hours to do the same job manually. The hourly model is broken.
• Admin Headaches: You have to worry about timesheets, query every invoice, and wonder if you’re being overcharged.

The Alternative: Fixed-Fee Monthly Plans

A much better solution for most self-employed people and small businesses is a fixed-fee monthly plan. This is how I run my service.

The benefits are clear:

• One Predictable Cost: You pay the exact same amount every month. No surprise bills, ever. This makes budgeting for your business simple.
• All-Inclusive Support: All your bookkeeping, tax returns, and software access are included in one price. You can email or call me with a question without “getting put on the clock.”
• Focus on Value: It’s in my best interest to be as efficient as possible and use the best software for your business, which saves us both time and money.

What Factors Change a Bookkeeper’s Hourly Rate?

If you are still looking to hire by the hour, here is what determines the rate you’ll be quoted:

1. Qualifications: Is the bookkeeper certified by an official body like the AAT, ICB, or ACCA? A certified professional will charge more but will make fewer errors.
2. Experience: A junior bookkeeper just doing data entry will be cheaper than a senior bookkeeper with 10 years of experience who can spot tax-saving opportunities.
3. Location: Rates in London and the South-East are almost always higher than in other parts of the UK to cover the higher cost of living.
4. Complexity: A simple sole trader tax return is easy. A VAT-registered limited company with 5 employees is far more complex and requires a higher rate.

Stop Paying By the Hour. Get a Clear, Fixed Quote.

Stop worrying about surprise bills. My monthly accounting packages for small businesses start at just £40/month. This includes your bookkeeping, year-end accounts, tax returns, and all the software you need.

Let’s have a 10-minute, no-obligation chat. I’ll give you a single, fixed price to handle everything, so you can get back to running your business.

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