What Outsourced Bookkeeping Actually Means
Outsourced bookkeeping means handing the day-to-day financial record keeping for a business to a dedicated bookkeeping practice, freeing the business owner or their accountant to focus on what they do best. At Bookkeeping Packages, we provide that service on a fixed monthly fee, working either directly with SME clients or invisibly in the background for accountancy practices under their own branding.
The white-label arrangement for accountants is a core part of what we do. When a practice refers a client to us, we work under the practice’s brand with complete discretion. The client knows their accountant is managing their books; they do not need to know we are providing the service behind the scenes. This protects the accountant’s client relationship while delivering professional bookkeeping support that the practice may not have the capacity to provide in-house.
Who Uses Outsourced Bookkeeping
Outsourced bookkeeping serves two distinct groups. The first is SME business owners who need accurate, up-to-date financial records but do not want to employ a full-time bookkeeper. The second is accountancy practices that want to offer a complete service to their clients, including monthly bookkeeping, without taking on the staffing and overhead of doing it themselves. The ICB provides background on bookkeeper qualifications and professional standards at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers website.
The businesses that benefit most from outsourcing tend to be those that have grown to a point where the owner’s time is better spent managing and developing the business than entering transactions and reconciling accounts. The bookkeeping itself is not complex, but it is time-consuming and requires consistency. Doing it well every month creates the financial foundation that supports good decision-making and smooth year-end accounts preparation.
What Is Included in the Service
Our outsourced bookkeeping service covers bank reconciliation across all business accounts, processing of purchase and sales invoices, VAT return preparation and submission under Making Tax Digital, monthly management accounts including profit and loss and balance sheet, and payroll processing where required. We work with Xero and QuickBooks as our primary platforms, though we can accommodate other cloud accounting software on request.
The management accounts produced each month give business owners and their accountants a clear view of the financial position without waiting for year-end figures. For growing businesses, this kind of monthly visibility is the difference between managing proactively and reacting to problems after the fact.
Pricing and Packages
Our bookkeeping packages are priced between 199 and 239 pounds per month depending on transaction volume and complexity. There are no hidden charges, and the monthly fee covers all of the services described above. We do not add extra charges for VAT return submission, payroll runs, or management account preparation; these are included within the agreed monthly fee.
For accountancy practices looking to extend their client offering without taking on additional headcount, our white-label service provides a straightforward solution. To discuss how the arrangement works in practice, call 0161 531 0087 or read more about our bookkeeping services.
Getting Started
Getting started is straightforward. We carry out an initial review of the existing records, agree the scope of the monthly work, and set up access to the relevant accounting software. For new businesses starting from scratch, we set up the accounting software, chart of accounts, and bank feeds as part of the onboarding process. Most clients are up and running within a week of the initial conversation.
If you are an accountant considering the white-label arrangement or a business owner who wants to explore whether outsourcing your bookkeeping makes sense, call 0161 531 0087 or review our full range of fixed-fee bookkeeping packages.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr is Managing Director of Bookkeeping Packages Ltd, an outsourced bookkeeping service supporting UK small businesses and accountancy practices. With over 20 years of bookkeeping experience, Stuart specialises in helping businesses maintain accurate records and management accounts. Stuart is a bookkeeper, not a regulated financial adviser. Nothing in this article constitutes tax or financial advice. Call 0161 531 0087 or visit bookkeepingpackages.co.uk.
The information in this article is provided for general guidance only. Stuart Kerr is a professional bookkeeper, not a regulated financial adviser. This content does not constitute tax or financial advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser.
By Stuart Kerr, Managing Director, Bookkeeping Packages Ltd