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Last Updated :
Nov 7, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
The 21 Best Outsourced Bookkeeping Services for Startups and Small Businesses
Imagine this: you’ve just closed your company’s books for the last quarter. As you review the numbers, your stomach drops — revenue is down again.
And as if that weren’t enough, you’re staring at a long list of financial tasks waiting for your attention.
That’s when you notice the true value of outsourced bookkeeping services. Outsourcing your bookkeeping helps startups and small businesses regain financial clarity, reduce stress, and let the founders focus on what is most important: focus on growth.
In this guide, we’ll explore the main points you need to take into consideration when selecting the ideal vendor and, also, what you can expect when outsourcing bookkeeping.
What Are Outsourced Bookkeeping Services?
Outsourced bookkeeping services refer to hiring a third-party provider or firm to handle your company’s financial records and reporting.
Instead of managing an in-house bookkeeper, you delegate essential financial operations to professionals who specialize in bookkeeping services outsourcing.
These providers typically manage:
Recording financial transactions
Reconciling bank accounts
Preparing financial statements
Handling accounts payable and receivable
Managing payroll
Supporting tax filing and compliance
The motivation behind bookkeeping services is clear: it allows startups and small businesses to move beyond spreadsheets and scale with confidence. By delegating to specialized experts, you gain cost-efficiency, accuracy, and the freedom to focus on what truly matters — running your business.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping
The benefits of outsourcing bookkeeping go far beyond saving time. It’s about gaining accuracy, security, and peace of mind while maintaining lean operations.
Here are the top reasons companies make the switch:
Cost Savings
Businesses can save up to 15–30% compared to hiring a full-time bookkeeper. You only pay for what you need, avoiding wages, benefits, and training costs — making it a highly cost-effective.
Access to Expertise
Outsourcing connects you with professionals who understand local tax laws (e.g., IRS in the U.S., ATO in Australia) and industry-specific financial best practices — expertise often hard to find in-house.
Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
Specialized bookkeeping firms leverage advanced systems and seamless software integrations to cut manual work, minimize errors, and keep your financial records accurate in real time.
Fraud Prevention
With multiple experts reviewing transactions, outsourcing adds a layer of checks and balances that reduces internal fraud risk and accounting errors.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your business grows or experiences seasonal fluctuations, outsourced bookkeeping services easily adapt — no hiring or downsizing required.
Focus on Core Business
By outsourcing, founders and teams can focus on operations, innovation, and growth instead of administrative work.
Improved Compliance
Outsourced professionals stay current with changing regulations, ensuring your filings and financial records are always compliant.
Uninterrupted Service
Unlike an in-house bookkeeper who may take leave or fall sick, outsourcing guarantees continuous bookkeeping support without interruptions.
When Is the Best Time to Outsource Bookkeeping?
There’s rarely a “wrong” time to outsource. The earlier you start, the faster you’ll benefit from accuracy and peace of mind.
That said, certain moments make outsourced bookkeeping for startups and growing companies particularly valuable:
Your team lacks accounting expertise: Errors increase when untrained staff handle books.
Bookkeeping consumes too much time: If financial admin slows your growth, it’s time to delegate.
Cash flow tracking is inconsistent: Outsourced bookkeepers ensure reports are accurate and on schedule.
You’ve missed deductions or filing deadlines: Professionals can recover missed tax opportunities and ensure compliance.
Reporting lacks clarity: Outsourcing provides accurate insights and better decision-making tools.
Your workload is seasonal: Flexible services scale with your business demands.
In short, outsource when your internal bandwidth is limited, reporting lacks transparency, or you’re ready to scale efficiently.
Top 21 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services Compared
Choosing a bookkeeping vendor that best suits your needs can be challenging, especially with so many providers promising similar results. Below, we review 21 leading outsourced bookkeeping services to help startups, agencies and small businesses find the right match for their needs, budget, and software stack.
Haven
Starting at: $300/month
Best for: Startups and small to medium-sized businesses
Haven offers full-service outsourced bookkeeping for startups, including daily bookkeeping, tax support, R&D credits, and fractional CFO services. Their team of CPAs provides 24/7 Slack support and deep experience with growing tech companies.
Software: Xero, QuickBooks
Bench
Starting at: $249/month
Best for: Small businesses and freelancers
Bench combines modern technology with human bookkeepers to deliver monthly financial reports and optional tax filing services.
Software: Proprietary (integrates with QuickBooks)
Kruze Consulting
Starting at: Custom pricing (typically $600+/month)
Best for: VC-funded startups and SaaS companies
Kruze specializes in outsourced bookkeeping services for venture-backed startups, offering accounting, tax planning, and CFO support. They also help startups claim R&D tax credits.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero
Pilot
Starting at: $499/month
Best for: High-growth startups and SMEs
Pilot delivers bookkeeping, CFO services, and financial insights for scaling businesses. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a fully integrated bookkeeping services outsourcing solution.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero
Bean Ninjas
Starting at: $250+/month
Best for: eCommerce, SMBs, and entrepreneurs
Bean Ninjas offers reliable outsourced bookkeeping services focused on cash flow clarity, payroll, and virtual CFO support. They’re known for deep expertise in eCommerce accounting.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books
Accountalent
Starting at: $199/month
Best for: Startups and small businesses
Accountalent provides outsourced bookkeeping, R&D studies, and income tax preparation — ideal for founders who want a CPA-driven approach at an affordable cost.
QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping
Starting at: $15–$300/month
Best for: QuickBooks users
This service connects you with virtual bookkeepers certified by QuickBooks. It’s a convenient outsourced bookkeeping service for small business owners already using the platform.
Software: QuickBooks
Bookkeeper360
Starting at: $399/month
Best for: Growing SMBs
Bookkeeper360 offers comprehensive accounting and CFO advisory solutions, including payroll and tax preparation. It’s among the most recognized bookkeeping outsourcing services for U.S. businesses.
Software: Xero, QuickBooks
FlowFi
Pricing: Custom
Best for: Startups and small businesses
FlowFi provides outsourced CFO, tax, and bookkeeping services with an emphasis on real-time data insights. A great choice for startups seeking financial visibility and control.
Rillet
Starting at: $199/month
Best for: SaaS and subscription-based companies
Rillet is an AI-driven outsourced bookkeeping platform that offers automated reporting, SaaS metrics, and smart forecasting. Perfect for founders who love automation.
Graphite Financial
Starting at: $900/month
Best for: Early-stage and scaling startups
Graphite Financial combines strategic accounting, bookkeeping, and tax planning for startups that need investor-grade financials and fundraising support.
Zinance
Starting at: $179/month
Best for: U.S. and international businesses
Zinance provides flexible bookkeeping services outsourcing, including tax preparation and virtual CFO support. Its integrations make it ideal for companies managing multiple currencies.
Finta
Starting at: $100/month
Best for: Founders and startup operators
Finta automates bookkeeping and tax processes, giving small teams an all-in-one solution for managing transactions, reports, and filings.
Less Accounting
Starting at: $24/month
Best for: Solo founders and lean startups
Less Accounting provides lightweight bookkeeping software and outsourced support for businesses that want minimal setup and easy expense tracking.
Punch Financial
Starting at: $1,500/month
Best for: Fast-scaling companies
Punch Financial focuses on higher-level accounting and CFO services — perfect for businesses ready to graduate from simple bookkeeping to strategic finance.
Manay CPA
Pricing: Custom
Best for: SMBs needing end-to-end financial support
Manay CPA offers formation expertise, accounting, tax planning, and bookkeeping — an all-inclusive solution for small business owners.
Inkle
Starting at: $30/month (tax services)
Best for: U.S.-based startups
Inkle specializes in automated tax filing and bookkeeping, helping founders manage both state and federal requirements seamlessly.
ClearTax
Pricing: Varies
Best for: India-based small businesses
ClearTax combines tax consulting, bookkeeping, and compliance into a single platform — one of the most popular outsourced bookkeeping services in the Indian market.
Tukel, Inc.
Starting at: $389/month
Best for: Online businesses and SaaS companies
Tukel provides end-to-end bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a blend of automation and human expertise.
Fincent
Starting at: $299/month
Best for: U.S. businesses
Fincent combines software automation with human bookkeepers for accurate financial tracking and customer support — a solid mid-range outsourced bookkeeping solution.
Acuity
Starting at: $449/month
Best for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners
Acuity offers personalized bookkeeping services outsourcing, including dedicated account management, monthly CPA meetings, and tax preparation support.
How to Choose the Right Outsourced Bookkeeping Service
Selecting the ideal partner for bookkeeping services outsourcing involves more than comparing prices. Here’s what to evaluate before signing:
Customization and Industry Fit: Look for providers familiar with your sector — whether SaaS, eCommerce, or professional services — ensuring they understand your accounting nuances.
Security of Financial Data: Confirm strong data protection, encryption, MFA, and GDPR compliance for peace of mind.
Experience and Qualifications: Choose certified professionals (CPA, ACCA, etc.) with relevant startup experience.
Bookkeeping Software Integration: Ensure compatibility with your tools (QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Shopify, etc.) to streamline workflows.
Transparency and Communication: A good partner keeps you informed through regular updates and accessible reports.
Pricing and Value: Consider overall value, not just cost. Transparent monthly pricing with no hidden fees builds trust.
Why Choose Haven for Your Outsourced Bookkeeping?
Let your business take flight while Haven manages your financial runway. Built by founders for founders, Haven offers outsourced bookkeeping services designed for startups — from daily bookkeeping and R&D tax credits to fractional CFO support.
Join 400+ startups that have saved millions in tax credits and countless hours of admin work, all while accessing 24/7 Slack support from CPAs who understand growing businesses.
Book a call today to see how Haven can help you focus on building — not bookkeeping.
FAQs about Outsourced Bookkeeping Services
How much does outsourced bookkeeping typically cost for startups?
Outsourced bookkeeping pricing for startups varies, typically ranging from $200 to $900+ monthly. This depends on the complexity of your transactions, sales volume, and the specific services included in the package. Some providers also offer pay-as-you-go options.
Is my financial data safe with outsourced bookkeeping services?
Yes. Reputable bookkeeping service providers prioritize security in outsourced bookkeeping. They use robust measures like data encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), secure cloud storage, and adhere to strict data protection laws such as GDPR (where applicable). Always verify the provider's security protocols.
Can outsourced bookkeeping services adapt to unique industry financial needs?
Absolutely. Many bookkeeping service providers offer customized solutions tailored to specific industries like SaaS, e-commerce, manufacturing, or professional services. Look for firms with experience in your sector to ensure they understand your unique accounting nuances.
What is the difference between outsourced and in-house bookkeeping?
Outsourced bookkeeping involves hiring an external firm to manage your financial records, offering expert teams, flexibility, and often lower costs. In-house bookkeeping requires directly hiring and managing an employee, which entails higher overheads, but offers direct oversight and integration into your internal team.
How quickly can I start using outsourced bookkeeping services?
Onboarding typically takes from a few days to several weeks, depending on the service provider and the scope of your financial needs. Providers usually work efficiently to integrate your existing financial systems and get your books up and running smoothly.
Can outsourced bookkeepers help with tax preparation?
Many outsourced bookkeeping services offer tax support, including preparing reports for your tax filings and sometimes even direct tax preparation services (e.g., Haven, Kruze Consulting). It's crucial to confirm the extent of tax services provided.
Imagine this: you’ve just closed your company’s books for the last quarter. As you review the numbers, your stomach drops — revenue is down again.
And as if that weren’t enough, you’re staring at a long list of financial tasks waiting for your attention.
That’s when you notice the true value of outsourced bookkeeping services. Outsourcing your bookkeeping helps startups and small businesses regain financial clarity, reduce stress, and let the founders focus on what is most important: focus on growth.
In this guide, we’ll explore the main points you need to take into consideration when selecting the ideal vendor and, also, what you can expect when outsourcing bookkeeping.
What Are Outsourced Bookkeeping Services?
Outsourced bookkeeping services refer to hiring a third-party provider or firm to handle your company’s financial records and reporting.
Instead of managing an in-house bookkeeper, you delegate essential financial operations to professionals who specialize in bookkeeping services outsourcing.
These providers typically manage:
Recording financial transactions
Reconciling bank accounts
Preparing financial statements
Handling accounts payable and receivable
Managing payroll
Supporting tax filing and compliance
The motivation behind bookkeeping services is clear: it allows startups and small businesses to move beyond spreadsheets and scale with confidence. By delegating to specialized experts, you gain cost-efficiency, accuracy, and the freedom to focus on what truly matters — running your business.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping
The benefits of outsourcing bookkeeping go far beyond saving time. It’s about gaining accuracy, security, and peace of mind while maintaining lean operations.
Here are the top reasons companies make the switch:
Cost Savings
Businesses can save up to 15–30% compared to hiring a full-time bookkeeper. You only pay for what you need, avoiding wages, benefits, and training costs — making it a highly cost-effective.
Access to Expertise
Outsourcing connects you with professionals who understand local tax laws (e.g., IRS in the U.S., ATO in Australia) and industry-specific financial best practices — expertise often hard to find in-house.
Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
Specialized bookkeeping firms leverage advanced systems and seamless software integrations to cut manual work, minimize errors, and keep your financial records accurate in real time.
Fraud Prevention
With multiple experts reviewing transactions, outsourcing adds a layer of checks and balances that reduces internal fraud risk and accounting errors.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your business grows or experiences seasonal fluctuations, outsourced bookkeeping services easily adapt — no hiring or downsizing required.
Focus on Core Business
By outsourcing, founders and teams can focus on operations, innovation, and growth instead of administrative work.
Improved Compliance
Outsourced professionals stay current with changing regulations, ensuring your filings and financial records are always compliant.
Uninterrupted Service
Unlike an in-house bookkeeper who may take leave or fall sick, outsourcing guarantees continuous bookkeeping support without interruptions.
When Is the Best Time to Outsource Bookkeeping?
There’s rarely a “wrong” time to outsource. The earlier you start, the faster you’ll benefit from accuracy and peace of mind.
That said, certain moments make outsourced bookkeeping for startups and growing companies particularly valuable:
Your team lacks accounting expertise: Errors increase when untrained staff handle books.
Bookkeeping consumes too much time: If financial admin slows your growth, it’s time to delegate.
Cash flow tracking is inconsistent: Outsourced bookkeepers ensure reports are accurate and on schedule.
You’ve missed deductions or filing deadlines: Professionals can recover missed tax opportunities and ensure compliance.
Reporting lacks clarity: Outsourcing provides accurate insights and better decision-making tools.
Your workload is seasonal: Flexible services scale with your business demands.
In short, outsource when your internal bandwidth is limited, reporting lacks transparency, or you’re ready to scale efficiently.
Top 21 Outsourced Bookkeeping Services Compared
Choosing a bookkeeping vendor that best suits your needs can be challenging, especially with so many providers promising similar results. Below, we review 21 leading outsourced bookkeeping services to help startups, agencies and small businesses find the right match for their needs, budget, and software stack.
Haven
Starting at: $300/month
Best for: Startups and small to medium-sized businesses
Haven offers full-service outsourced bookkeeping for startups, including daily bookkeeping, tax support, R&D credits, and fractional CFO services. Their team of CPAs provides 24/7 Slack support and deep experience with growing tech companies.
Software: Xero, QuickBooks
Bench
Starting at: $249/month
Best for: Small businesses and freelancers
Bench combines modern technology with human bookkeepers to deliver monthly financial reports and optional tax filing services.
Software: Proprietary (integrates with QuickBooks)
Kruze Consulting
Starting at: Custom pricing (typically $600+/month)
Best for: VC-funded startups and SaaS companies
Kruze specializes in outsourced bookkeeping services for venture-backed startups, offering accounting, tax planning, and CFO support. They also help startups claim R&D tax credits.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero
Pilot
Starting at: $499/month
Best for: High-growth startups and SMEs
Pilot delivers bookkeeping, CFO services, and financial insights for scaling businesses. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a fully integrated bookkeeping services outsourcing solution.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero
Bean Ninjas
Starting at: $250+/month
Best for: eCommerce, SMBs, and entrepreneurs
Bean Ninjas offers reliable outsourced bookkeeping services focused on cash flow clarity, payroll, and virtual CFO support. They’re known for deep expertise in eCommerce accounting.
Software: QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books
Accountalent
Starting at: $199/month
Best for: Startups and small businesses
Accountalent provides outsourced bookkeeping, R&D studies, and income tax preparation — ideal for founders who want a CPA-driven approach at an affordable cost.
QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping
Starting at: $15–$300/month
Best for: QuickBooks users
This service connects you with virtual bookkeepers certified by QuickBooks. It’s a convenient outsourced bookkeeping service for small business owners already using the platform.
Software: QuickBooks
Bookkeeper360
Starting at: $399/month
Best for: Growing SMBs
Bookkeeper360 offers comprehensive accounting and CFO advisory solutions, including payroll and tax preparation. It’s among the most recognized bookkeeping outsourcing services for U.S. businesses.
Software: Xero, QuickBooks
FlowFi
Pricing: Custom
Best for: Startups and small businesses
FlowFi provides outsourced CFO, tax, and bookkeeping services with an emphasis on real-time data insights. A great choice for startups seeking financial visibility and control.
Rillet
Starting at: $199/month
Best for: SaaS and subscription-based companies
Rillet is an AI-driven outsourced bookkeeping platform that offers automated reporting, SaaS metrics, and smart forecasting. Perfect for founders who love automation.
Graphite Financial
Starting at: $900/month
Best for: Early-stage and scaling startups
Graphite Financial combines strategic accounting, bookkeeping, and tax planning for startups that need investor-grade financials and fundraising support.
Zinance
Starting at: $179/month
Best for: U.S. and international businesses
Zinance provides flexible bookkeeping services outsourcing, including tax preparation and virtual CFO support. Its integrations make it ideal for companies managing multiple currencies.
Finta
Starting at: $100/month
Best for: Founders and startup operators
Finta automates bookkeeping and tax processes, giving small teams an all-in-one solution for managing transactions, reports, and filings.
Less Accounting
Starting at: $24/month
Best for: Solo founders and lean startups
Less Accounting provides lightweight bookkeeping software and outsourced support for businesses that want minimal setup and easy expense tracking.
Punch Financial
Starting at: $1,500/month
Best for: Fast-scaling companies
Punch Financial focuses on higher-level accounting and CFO services — perfect for businesses ready to graduate from simple bookkeeping to strategic finance.
Manay CPA
Pricing: Custom
Best for: SMBs needing end-to-end financial support
Manay CPA offers formation expertise, accounting, tax planning, and bookkeeping — an all-inclusive solution for small business owners.
Inkle
Starting at: $30/month (tax services)
Best for: U.S.-based startups
Inkle specializes in automated tax filing and bookkeeping, helping founders manage both state and federal requirements seamlessly.
ClearTax
Pricing: Varies
Best for: India-based small businesses
ClearTax combines tax consulting, bookkeeping, and compliance into a single platform — one of the most popular outsourced bookkeeping services in the Indian market.
Tukel, Inc.
Starting at: $389/month
Best for: Online businesses and SaaS companies
Tukel provides end-to-end bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a blend of automation and human expertise.
Fincent
Starting at: $299/month
Best for: U.S. businesses
Fincent combines software automation with human bookkeepers for accurate financial tracking and customer support — a solid mid-range outsourced bookkeeping solution.
Acuity
Starting at: $449/month
Best for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners
Acuity offers personalized bookkeeping services outsourcing, including dedicated account management, monthly CPA meetings, and tax preparation support.
How to Choose the Right Outsourced Bookkeeping Service
Selecting the ideal partner for bookkeeping services outsourcing involves more than comparing prices. Here’s what to evaluate before signing:
Customization and Industry Fit: Look for providers familiar with your sector — whether SaaS, eCommerce, or professional services — ensuring they understand your accounting nuances.
Security of Financial Data: Confirm strong data protection, encryption, MFA, and GDPR compliance for peace of mind.
Experience and Qualifications: Choose certified professionals (CPA, ACCA, etc.) with relevant startup experience.
Bookkeeping Software Integration: Ensure compatibility with your tools (QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Shopify, etc.) to streamline workflows.
Transparency and Communication: A good partner keeps you informed through regular updates and accessible reports.
Pricing and Value: Consider overall value, not just cost. Transparent monthly pricing with no hidden fees builds trust.
Why Choose Haven for Your Outsourced Bookkeeping?
Let your business take flight while Haven manages your financial runway. Built by founders for founders, Haven offers outsourced bookkeeping services designed for startups — from daily bookkeeping and R&D tax credits to fractional CFO support.
Join 400+ startups that have saved millions in tax credits and countless hours of admin work, all while accessing 24/7 Slack support from CPAs who understand growing businesses.
Book a call today to see how Haven can help you focus on building — not bookkeeping.
FAQs about Outsourced Bookkeeping Services
How much does outsourced bookkeeping typically cost for startups?
Outsourced bookkeeping pricing for startups varies, typically ranging from $200 to $900+ monthly. This depends on the complexity of your transactions, sales volume, and the specific services included in the package. Some providers also offer pay-as-you-go options.
Is my financial data safe with outsourced bookkeeping services?
Yes. Reputable bookkeeping service providers prioritize security in outsourced bookkeeping. They use robust measures like data encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), secure cloud storage, and adhere to strict data protection laws such as GDPR (where applicable). Always verify the provider's security protocols.
Can outsourced bookkeeping services adapt to unique industry financial needs?
Absolutely. Many bookkeeping service providers offer customized solutions tailored to specific industries like SaaS, e-commerce, manufacturing, or professional services. Look for firms with experience in your sector to ensure they understand your unique accounting nuances.
What is the difference between outsourced and in-house bookkeeping?
Outsourced bookkeeping involves hiring an external firm to manage your financial records, offering expert teams, flexibility, and often lower costs. In-house bookkeeping requires directly hiring and managing an employee, which entails higher overheads, but offers direct oversight and integration into your internal team.
How quickly can I start using outsourced bookkeeping services?
Onboarding typically takes from a few days to several weeks, depending on the service provider and the scope of your financial needs. Providers usually work efficiently to integrate your existing financial systems and get your books up and running smoothly.
Can outsourced bookkeepers help with tax preparation?
Many outsourced bookkeeping services offer tax support, including preparing reports for your tax filings and sometimes even direct tax preparation services (e.g., Haven, Kruze Consulting). It's crucial to confirm the extent of tax services provided.
This article was co-written by:
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This article was co-written by: