As your business grows, bookkeeping becomes more complicated. More transactions, more accounts, and more financial reports all take time to keep organized. At some point, many business owners start asking the same question: Is it time to outsource?
That’s where choosing the right bookkeeping provider becomes important. Services, pricing, and experience can vary widely, especially if you run an ecommerce business.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what outsourced bookkeeping services include, what they typically cost, how to evaluate different providers, and some of the best options available today.
Short on time? Here are the top outsourced bookkeeping service providers to consider:
The right provider depends on your business model, transaction volume, and the level of financial support you need.
Outsourced bookkeeping services involve hiring a third-party provider to manage your business’s books instead of handling them in-house. They work remotely using your accounting software to keep your financial records accurate and up to date, so you don’t need to build or manage an internal bookkeeping team.
Depending on the provider, an outsourced bookkeeping service can cover everything from recording transactions and reconciling accounts to preparing your monthly financial reports and supporting your tax preparation. We’ll look at what’s typically included next.
The exact scope of outsourced bookkeeping services varies by provider, but most handle the day-to-day financial tasks that keep your books accurate and up to date. Here’s what typical bookkeeping services include:
Reconciling your accounts is one of the first things a bookkeeper does each month. They go through your bank accounts, credit cards, and payment processors to make sure every transaction has been recorded correctly and nothing has been missed or duplicated.
If you run an ecommerce business, reconciliation also involves reviewing marketplace payouts, processing fees, refunds, and chargebacks so your books reflect what actually happened during the month.
Most outsourced bookkeeping providers prepare monthly financial reports that help you understand how your business is performing. These typically include your Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement.
Accurate financial statements make it easier to monitor profitability, manage cash flow, plan for growth, and make informed business decisions throughout the year.
While bookkeeping and tax filing are two different services, there are some bookkeeping providers that help keep your records organized for tax season. Accurate books make it easier for your CPA or tax preparer to file returns, claim deductions, and reduce the risk of reporting errors.
Some providers also offer tax planning and preparation as an additional service, giving you one place to manage both bookkeeping and taxes.
Some outsourced bookkeeping providers also handle payroll processing, vendor payments, and bill management. These services help ensure employees are paid on time, invoices are tracked, and business expenses are recorded accurately.
Because these services aren’t included in every bookkeeping package, it’s worth confirming exactly what’s covered before choosing a provider.
Outsourcing your bookkeeping gives you access to accurate financial records, experienced professionals, and the flexibility to scale your financial operations as your business grows. Let’s look at all the benefits outsourced bookkeeping services offer:
Most outsourced bookkeeping services charge a fixed monthly fee, although some providers also offer hourly or project-based pricing for one-time work like bookkeeping cleanups.
As a general guideline:
| Business Type | Typical Monthly Cost |
| Small businesses with simple bookkeeping | $300-$800 |
| Growing businesses with higher transaction volume | $800-$2,500+ |
| Ecommerce businesses | Pricing varies based on sales channels, inventory, and transaction volume |
You can also use our ecommerce bookkeeping pricing calculator to get an estimate of what you’ll have to pay.
The monthly fee depends less on your revenue and more on the amount of bookkeeping work involved. Some of the biggest pricing factors include:
Bookkeeping is often more complex for e-commerce businesses than it is for traditional businesses. They include reconciling payouts from Amazon, Shopify, or other marketplaces, recording platform fees, tracking inventory, and handling sales tax, all of which add to the workload, which is why it’s important to choose a provider with ecommerce experience rather than comparing providers on price alone.
Outsourcing your bookkeeping is a long-term decision, so it’s worth taking the time to compare providers carefully. Looking beyond the price can help you find a service that meets your needs today and continues to work well as your business evolves.
You should consider factors like:
A provider with experience in your industry will already understand the financial processes, reporting requirements, and common challenges you deal with. If you run an ecommerce business, that includes working with multiple sales channels, payment processors, inventory, and marketplace fees.
Bookkeeping packages differ from one service provider to another. While one provider might handle only transaction recording and reconciliations, another may also include payroll, tax support, catch-up bookkeeping, or monthly financial reports. You need to ask for a clear breakdown of what’s included before you compare prices, so that you’re evaluating similar services.
Your bookkeeping provider should be comfortable working with your existing accounting software and the tools your business already uses. The fewer manual workarounds required, the smoother your bookkeeping process will be.
Ask how often you’ll receive your financial reports and who your point of contact will be. If you have a question about your books, it should be clear who to reach out to and how quickly you can expect a reply.
Sometimes, certain services are excluded or not clear in the monthly plan. Before you make a decision, make sure that you understand what you’re paying for. Ask what is included in that price, and what services you’ll have to pay extra for. Understand if they charge separately for onboarding or catch-up bookkeeping services.
The right bookkeeping service depends on your business, your accounting needs, and the level of support you’re looking for. Here are the top providers that ecommerce businesses should consider:
EcomBalance is one of the few bookkeeping services that works exclusively with ecommerce businesses. Founded by ecommerce entrepreneurs, the company has helped more than 500 online sellers manage their bookkeeping since 2021.
Key features:
If you’re looking for a bookkeeping service that understands ecommerce from the ground up, schedule a call with our founder. We’ll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and your first month of bookkeeping is free.
Xendoo is a bookkeeping service that focuses on online businesses and supports many of the major ecommerce platforms. Its weekly bookkeeping service is one of the main reasons ecommerce sellers consider it over providers that only update their books once a month.
Key features:
Finaloop is an ecommerce accounting platform designed for direct-to-consumer brands. It uses automation to maintain real-time books and includes built-in inventory and cost of goods sold tracking.
Key features:
Bookkeeper360 offers bookkeeping alongside tax, payroll, and advisory services. Businesses that prefer working with one provider for multiple financial services often include it on their shortlist.
Key features:
Pilot is a bookkeeping provider for startups and high-growth businesses. Along with bookkeeping, it offers tax and CFO services, making it a practical option for businesses that want additional financial support from the same provider.
Key features:
If you still have questions about outsource bookkeeping, we’ve answered some of the most common ones.
A bookkeeper manages your day-to-day financial records by recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial reports.
An accountant uses those records to prepare tax returns, provide financial advice, ensure compliance, and help with planning and analysis. Many businesses work with both, especially as they grow.
Yes. Most bookkeeping providers work through cloud-based accounting software, so you remain the owner of your financial data while giving your bookkeeping team the access they need to do their work.
Before signing up, it’s worth asking how they manage user permissions and protect sensitive financial information.
Most can. Many outsourced bookkeeping providers work with platforms like QuickBooks Online and Xero.
If your business uses ecommerce platforms, payment processors, inventory software, or other financial tools, it’s a good idea to confirm that they can integrate with your existing setup.
Not as much as it used to. Most bookkeeping services are delivered remotely using cloud-based accounting software, so you don’t need to work with a provider in your local area.
Experience with your industry, communication, and the services offered are usually more important than location.
The onboarding process typically takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the provider and the condition of your books. If your financial records are already up to date, onboarding is usually much quicker.
Businesses that need catch-up bookkeeping or account cleanup should expect the process to take longer before regular monthly bookkeeping begins.
Outsourced bookkeeping can save time, improve financial accuracy, and give you a clearer understanding of how your business is performing. The key is choosing a provider that offers the right services, works with your accounting software, and understands your industry.
If you run an ecommerce business, EcomBalance is built specifically for online sellers. From monthly bookkeeping and tax services to financial statements delivered by the 15th of every month, the team helps you stay on top of your finances while you focus on growing your business.
Ready to simplify your bookkeeping? Schedule a call with us and see how their ecommerce bookkeeping services can support your business.
