Every small business needs good books. The real question is who keeps them. Doing it yourself saves fees, but it takes time and care. A bookkeeping service costs money, but it frees your time and cuts the risk of mistakes. Here is how to weigh up the two.
Key takeaways
- DIY bookkeeping costs your time, not just software fees.
- Errors and missed deadlines can cost more than the fees you saved.
- Good records make your tax return, VAT return and MTD updates easier.
- A hybrid approach can work: you record, someone checks.
What is bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is the day-to-day record of your money. It covers sales, purchases, expenses and bank transactions. These records feed everything else: your tax return, your VAT return, and your company accounts.
The real cost of doing it yourself
DIY looks cheap because you do not pay an invoice. But count what it takes:
- Hours each week or month entering and matching transactions.
- The cost of accounting software.
- Time learning the rules for what can be claimed.
- The risk of coding errors that only show up at year end.
If your hourly earnings are higher than the cost of help, every hour spent on books is an hour you could have earned.
Side by side
| Doing it yourself | Bookkeeping service | |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | Software only | Monthly fee, from £150 with us |
| Your time | Regular hours every month | A short review each month |
| Accuracy | Depends on your knowledge | Checked by a specialist |
| Deadlines | You must track them | Handled for you |
| Best for | Very few transactions | Growing or busy businesses |
Worked example (illustrative)
"Jo", an illustrative example, runs a small delivery business and spends about six hours each month on bookkeeping. Those hours could have been paid deliveries. Jo also once mislabelled a large expense, which had to be fixed at year end. When Jo added up the lost earnings and the extra accountant time, handing the books over cost about the same, with less stress.
Common mistakes
- Mixing personal and business spending. This makes records harder to trust.
- Leaving receipts until year end. Missing evidence can mean lost claims.
- Not reconciling the bank. Small errors add up over months.
If you would rather hand it over, see our bookkeeping service and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a bookkeeping service actually do?
A bookkeeper records your income and expenses, matches them to your bank statements, keeps your receipts in order and produces regular reports. This gives you accurate records for your tax return, VAT return or company accounts.
How much does a bookkeeping service cost?
Prices vary with the size of the business and the number of transactions. At Berber Accounts & Tax, bookkeeping starts from £150 a month. See our pricing page for details.
Is doing my own bookkeeping cheaper?
It costs less in fees, but it costs your time. Add the risk of mistakes and missed deadlines, and the saving may be smaller than it looks. It works best when you have few transactions and enjoy the task.
Do I need bookkeeping if I use accounting software?
Software helps, but it still needs the right information entered and checked. A bookkeeper makes sure transactions are coded correctly and bank feeds are reconciled.
When is it time to hand bookkeeping over?
Common signs are falling behind on records, dreading month end, growing transaction numbers, hiring staff, or registering for VAT. If bookkeeping stops you doing paid work, it is worth pricing up help.
Related reading
How Berber Accounts & Tax helps
We are a London-based, specialist gig-economy and MTD accounting practice working with fixed monthly fees. If you would like this handled for you rather than doing it yourself, we can help.
Schedule a consultation →Written by the Berber Accounts & Tax team, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom.
Last reviewed: 20 September 2026.
This article is general information, not personal tax advice. Speak to a qualified accountant about your own circumstances before acting on it.