US Bookkeeper Hourly Rates — Full Market Rate Card

Provider LevelHourly RateQualificationBest For
Basic bookkeeper (data entry)$18–$25/hrNo degree required — QuickBooks experienceTransaction entry, basic reconciliation
Certified bookkeeper (CB/CBP)$25–$40/hrNACPB or AIPB certificationSmall business monthly bookkeeping
QuickBooks ProAdvisor$35–$55/hrQB certification, often self-taughtQuickBooks setup and management
US freelance accountant$35–$65/hrAccounting degree, no CPA licenseAccrual accounting, complex reconciliation
CPA doing bookkeeping$60–$150/hrLicensed CPA — overkill for routine bookkeepingOnly justified if tax strategy is integrated
Sharma Jyoti and Co (ICAI CA firm)$8–$15/hr effectiveICAI Chartered Accountant — Indian equivalent of CPAFull-service US small business bookkeeping, $200–$600/mo flat

Hourly vs Monthly Retainer — Which Is Cheaper?

For ongoing monthly bookkeeping, a flat monthly retainer is almost always cheaper than hourly billing:

Billing ModelTypical Cost (Small LLC)Risk
Hourly, 10–15 hrs/month at $35/hr$350–$525/moScope creep — one complex month = $700+ bill
Hourly, 10–15 hrs/month at $45/hr$450–$675/moNo ceiling — busy months cost unpredictably more
Sharma Jyoti and Co flat monthly$250–$400/moNone — fixed fee regardless of volume variation

Hourly billing also creates a misaligned incentive: slower work costs you more. Flat-fee retainers align the bookkeeper's interest with efficiency.

What ICAI Qualification Means for US Clients

ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) is India's national professional accounting body — the direct equivalent of the AICPA in the US. ICAI CA qualification requires:

  • 3.5-year articleship (practical training, similar to CPA experience requirement)
  • Multi-stage examinations covering financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and company law
  • Mandatory continuing professional education
  • Ethics and professional responsibility standards equivalent to AICPA

The labor cost difference is geographic — not a difference in qualification. Sharma Jyoti and Co delivers CA-qualified bookkeeping at $200–$600/month because our team is India-based. Your books are in QuickBooks, your CPA workpapers are prepared to US GAAP standards, and your US CPA can review and file your return as if a US accountant had prepared the books.

Frequently Asked Questions

$18–$75/hr depending on qualification. Basic data-entry bookkeeper: $18–$25. Certified bookkeeper: $25–$40. US freelance accountant: $35–$65. CPA doing bookkeeping: $60–$150. At Sharma Jyoti and Co the effective rate is $8–$15/hr — 60–70% below the US freelance market rate.
For ongoing monthly bookkeeping, a flat monthly retainer is cheaper and has no scope creep risk. An hourly bookkeeper at $35–$45/hr working 10–15 hours/month costs $350–$675 — with unpredictable spikes in busy months. Sharma Jyoti and Co charges flat monthly fees with no hourly overages.
Yes. ICAI Chartered Accountants are trained in international accounting standards and US GAAP. Sharma Jyoti and Co works in QuickBooks, follows US GAAP, and prepares year-end workpapers to the same standard a US CPA expects. The only difference is labor cost — 60–70% lower than a US-based bookkeeper.