Bookkeeping prices confuse sellers because quotes for "the same service" range from $99 to $3,000 a month. They're not the same service. Here's the honest map of what each tier includes, with 2026 ranges.
The four tiers
| Option | Typical cost | What you actually get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY + connectors | $30–80/mo in tools | Works under ~250 orders/mo if you invest the hours and learn settlements |
| Software-led services | $99–300/mo | Automated categorization, human-lite; deposit-level books are common — check |
| Specialist e-commerce firms | $300–1,000/mo (scales with orders/channels) | Settlement-level books, COGS, channel margins, fixed close date |
| In-house bookkeeper | $3,500–6,000+/mo loaded | Justified around $5M+ revenue or heavy operational complexity |
What moves your price
Four variables drive quotes: order volume (250 vs 5,000 orders is a different job), number of channels (each adds a settlement format), accrual inventory/COGS (typically +30–40% over cash-basis — and worth it, see why), and add-ons like sales tax filings (commonly $100–400 per state per month) or catch-up work.
How to compare quotes honestly
- Ask "do you book settlements or deposits?" — the answer separates tiers instantly.
- Fixed monthly fee with a defined scope beats hourly for ongoing books; you want the provider's efficiency working for you, not billed to you.
- Check the exit: your books should live in your own QuickBooks file (the Bench lesson).
- Price the alternative: misbooked settlements routinely overstate profit by four figures monthly — real tax paid on phantom income makes cheap books the expensive option.