Book keeper charges

[V6 inside]

Hi,
We currently employ a book keeper to process all our invoices and update the quickbooks software. She basically completes most of our accounts up to the point they are finalised by our accountant. I'm openly admitting i dont know much about this side of the business!

What is the going rate for a book keeper? What should we be paying?
Can anyone recommend someone in the East London area that could possibly takeover?

cheers,

[Eric Mc]

I would say £20 to £25 per hour would be about right for a "good" book-keeper - if you can find one.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Eric Mc said:

I would say £20 to £25 per hour would be about right for a "good" book-keeper - if you can find one.

Kin ell. Sounds monsterously expensive that. As am employed book keeper I'd say £10 per hour or less.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Edit to say £18k for a 40 hour week is what I have typically employed book keepers on.

[wattsm666]

v6 inside - being just up the road from you in Loughton I would suggest Eric Mc is spot on with his estimate for our location. I will ask around at my firm and see if we know of any freelance bookkeepers that are available.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

wattsm666 said:

v6 inside - being just up the road from you in Loughton I would suggest Eric Mc is spot on with his estimate for our location. I will ask around at my firm and see if we know of any freelance bookkeepers that are available.

Surely the economics at that price dictate to recruit rather than freelance? (It's more than two for one!)

[smartie]

a poor bookkeeper will cost you far more than the saving on a good one............

[Eric Mc]

Never a truer word......

[Tuscan Tart]

Eric Mc said:

I would say £20 to £25 per hour would be about right for a "good" book-keeper - if you can find one.

I think I am undercharging, I charge £18 per hour, but I think I am worth that, I treat whichever company I am working for as if it were my own and look out for them, if I can save money I will, and am trustworthy enough to have access to bank accounts and transfer money between accounts and save for corporation tax without question. My bosses know (currently 3 of them) they don't have to worry about the accounts side of things and to them it is worth paying that, it alleviates added stress for them. If you can get the right bookkeeper they are worth every penny IMO.

[V6 inside]

Thanks for the replies!

I don't think you could call our bookeeper good! I sometimes think she spends a little longer than needed to process all the invoices and paperwork.

I just cant justify paying her £160 for a days work every week. It seems like a lot of money to me?

We pay £20 ph so i guess she is charging correctly then.