How much does a bookkeeper cost in Melbourne?
It's usually the first question business owners ask me, and fair enough. You want to know if it's worth it before you hand over your books. The honest answer is that it depends on how much is going on in your business, but there are only a handful of things that move the price. Here's what they are, how bookkeepers charge, and what you should expect to get for your money.
What affects the price
1. How many transactions you have. A cafe with 400 card sales a week needs more reconciling than a consultant who sends 10 invoices a month. Volume is the biggest driver of time, so it's the biggest driver of cost.
2. Whether you have staff. Payroll adds work every pay run: wages, leave, super and Single Touch Payroll reporting, compliance and awards. Since Payday Super is starting 1 July 2026, super has to reach your employees' funds within 7 business days of each payday, so payroll needs to run like clockwork.
3. What state your books are in. If you're starting from clean, up-to-date records, the ongoing work is simple. If there's a year of unreconciled transactions in a shoebox, there's generally a one-off catch-up first.
4. What you want beyond the basics. Reconciliations and your BAS are the core. Job costing, cash flow forecasting and chasing debtors are extras that pay for themselves in some businesses and aren't needed in others.
5. Your software. Bookkeeping in Xero, with bank feeds and receipts captured in an app, is much faster than spreadsheets. That saving should show up in your fee.
Hourly vs fixed monthly fees
Many bookkeepers charge by the hour. It's simple, but it means you never quite know what the bill will be, and you might hesitate to pick up the phone with a quick question.
The alternative is a fixed monthly fee for an agreed scope of work. You know the cost upfront, it's easy to budget for, and questions don't come with a meter running. That's how I work. My packages start at $380 a month including GST for smaller businesses, with $760 and $1,520 options for businesses with more transactions, staff or reporting needs. Every package includes monthly reconciliation, BAS preparation, monthly reports in plain English, and Xero setup and management.
What you should get for your money
Whichever bookkeeper you choose, make sure you're getting:
Bank accounts reconciled at least monthly, not just at BAS time
Your BAS prepared accurately and on time, every quarter
Reports you can actually understand, so you know whether you're making money
One person who knows your business, rather than whoever's free that week
A quick answer when you have a question (generally within 24 - 48 hours)
Is a bookkeeper worth it?
Add up the hours you spend on admin each month and put a value on them. For most business owners, that time is better spent on paying work, finding customers or simply having a weekend. There's also the cost of mistakes: late BAS lodgments, missed super payments and expenses you forgot to claim.
Get a fixed quote
If you're a small business anywhere in Victoria, I'm happy to look at your setup and give you a fixed monthly price. There's no obligation. Book a free 30-minute call and we'll work out what you need.
