7 Best Online Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses

Many business owners start by doing their own bookkeeping, often with little more than a spreadsheet or free software. That's fine at the beginning, but as businesses grow, they reach a point where a spreadsheet is no longer enough. Virtual bookkeeping services offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to hiring in-house staff.

Small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs should use this article to compare the top virtual bookkeeping services so you can find the best fit for your operations.

What Online Bookkeeping Services Do For Business Owners

Virtual Bookkeeping Services

Bookkeeping is the act of recording transactions and reconciling accounts, while owners turn to accountants for analysis, tax strategy, and financial planning. Basic bookkeeping typically involves a range of services, including:

• Transaction categorization

• Bank reconciliations

• Financial statements

• Accounting software integration

Many online bookkeepers offer add-ons to their core services. Depending on the provider, the following services could represent an extra monthly charge.

• Importing bank statements

• Chart of account management

• Monitoring monthly expenses

• Catch-up bookkeeping

• Business tax services

• Audit Defense

• Tax Preparation and tax filing services

• Tax Planning

• Business Tax Advice

• Back-office administrative assistance

• Payroll services

• CFO services

Income is recorded only when a payment is actually received, and expenses are logged only when the bill is paid for cash-basis bookkeeping. Revenue is recorded when the service or good is provided, and expenses are recorded when you receive the goods or services with accrual-basis bookkeeping. Your business might require one of these methods, and not every service provides both.

How to Choose an Online Bookkeeping Service

You're doing research and working through prospects. As you identify your top candidates, consider the following decision factors:

• Integrated tax services vs. add-ons: Services that bundle tax prep save most small businesses money; add-on models cost more over time.

• Dedicated accountant vs. a shared team: Some services assign a specific person; others rotate. Continuity matters for businesses with complex financials in high-risk industries.

• Cash vs. accrual basis: Businesses with inventory or accrued expenses typically need accrual-basis support, which is a more accurate method.

• Scalable vs. flat pricing: Services that increase fees as revenue grows can quickly become expensive for fast-growing businesses.

• Integration with existing bookkeeping software: QuickBooks, Xero, and payroll tools like Gusto should connect without manual imports.

Comparison Table: Top Online Bookkeeping Services at a Glance

Here are the top small business bookkeeping services for 2026 at a glance. While pricing will always be an important consideration, other factors, like best fit and key features, are critical.

7 Best Online Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses and Startups

1-800Accountant

Website: 1-800Accountant Expert Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Dedicated accountant with industry expertise

• Expense management

• Transaction reconciliations

• Automatic bank account imports

• Receipt storage

• Mileage tracking

• Financial reporting

• Invoicing and payment processing

• Year-round tax advice and quarterly tax reviews

• Proactive tax planning

• Dedicated financial planning

• Personal tax return preparation

• Business tax return preparation

• Tax filing services

• Audit defense

• Entity formation services

• Catch-up bookkeeping

• Payroll support (add-on service)

Pros

• Free consultation

• A secure online customer portal and a mobile app

• Accountants have industry- and state-specific expertise

• Monthly plans include tax preparation services, financial planning, and tax advisory

• Flat virtual accounting service pricing doesn’t increase as your business grows

Cons

• Dedicated accounting team features may be more than a very new side hustle needs

• Not a do-it-yourself tool, which may feel more structured than software-only platforms

Best For

Startups, growing businesses, and established companies can benefit from 1-800Accountant’s wide range of services, including entity formation, full-service bookkeeping and financial reporting, tax planning, tax prep, and year-round advisory.

Pricing

1-800Accountant’s Core Accounting+ plan includes full-service bookkeeping with a real bookkeeper, business accounting, and tax services. Pricing isn’t dependent on your business size, so your accounting fees won’t increase as your business grows.

Core Accounting+: $419 per month

Business owners with minimal accounting needs can choose subscriptions with significantly lower flat-rate pricing.

Xendoo

Website: Xendoo Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Weekly bookkeeping

• Expense reconciliation

• Monthly financial statements, including: Balance sheet, profit and loss statement

• Monthly profit and revenue trend graphs

• Monthly expense monitoring

• Dedicated bookkeepers

• Add-on services (available for an additional monthly fee): Catch-up bookkeeping, strategic planning, tax preparation and filing services, CFO services

Pros

• Free consultation

• Xendoo offers both a desktop platform and a mobile app

• Xendoo integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Shopify, Amazon, and other third-party tools

• Customer portals automatically import credit card and bank statements

Cons

• Not all pricing plans offer accrual-basis bookkeeping

• Customers have a limited number of third-party integrations available (depending on pricing tier)

• Tax services require an add-on subscription

• No payroll services

Best For

Small business owners and entrepreneurs with e-commerce storefronts or service-based sales pages can benefit from third-party integrations.

Pricing

Xendoo offers three standard pricing tiers. Large business owners can request a custom pricing plan that includes full accrual-basis bookkeeping support.

• Essential Plan: $395 per month (cash-basis bookkeeping-only)

• Growth Plan: $695 per month (a modified accrual-basis accounting method)

• Scale Plan: $995/month (a modified accrual-basis accounting method)

Add-on services:

• Tax guidance and return preparation: $1,245 per year

• Catch-up bookkeeping: $295 per month of cleanup

• Fractional CFO services: $1,500 per month

Pilot

Website: Pilot Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Dedicated bookkeeper

• Accrual-basis bookkeeping

• Automatic bank account imports

• Transaction reconciliations

• Monthly income and expense trend reports

• Monthly financial statements, including: Profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flows statement

• Financial reporting for startups

• Add-on services (available for an additional monthly fee): Business tax filings and strategic financial advice, 1099 support, CFO services, R&D tax credit calculations

Pros

• Pilot integrates with QuickBooks, Stripe, Square, Shopify, and other third-party tools

• Pre-revenue startups can qualify for a discounted monthly pricing plan

• Customer portals provide real-time reporting and monthly financial trends

• Pilot offers specialized financial services to help businesses grow

Cons

• No personal income tax return services

• Pilot charges a mandatory onboarding fee for new customers

• Add-on tax services include limited business filings, with extra fees for additional returns

• Monthly plan prices increase as your business grows

Best For

Startups in pre-revenue or early growth stages can benefit from industry-specific financial expertise and Pilot's focus on accrual-basis bookkeeping.

Pricing

Pilot offers two standard pricing tiers. Large business owners can request a consultation for a custom pricing plan.

• Starter Plan (for pre-revenue companies): $349 per month

• Core Plan (for profitable, growing companies): $499-$899 per month

Add-on services:

• Business tax return preparation: $2,450-$5,400 per year

• CFO services: $1,750-$5,250 per month

Merritt Bookkeeping

Website: Merritt Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Monthly financial reports, including: Profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flows statement, financial forecasting report, profit margins report

• Automatic bank statement collection

• Coordination with your CPA during tax season

• Catch-up bookkeeping (add-on service)

Pros

• Merritt maintains your bookkeeping in QuickBooks and delivers summarized reports

• Customers get a 90-day money-back guarantee

• Pricing plans use flat monthly fees with no extra charges

Cons

• No support for accrual basis bookkeeping

• No payroll or HR services available

• No tax services, such as tax planning or return preparation

• Merritt only accepts a limited number of new clients per month, and customers must request an opening for small business bookkeeping services, which may impact transition schedules

Best For

Small businesses with low budgets for outsourced services can benefit from flat monthly fees.

Pricing

• Virtual bookkeeping services: $250 per month (flat fee)

• Catch-up bookkeeping: $100-$200 per month of catch-up, depending on the level of cleanup needed

Decimal

Website: Decimal Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Dedicated bookkeeping team

• Transaction categorization

• Daily expense reconciliation

• Bill & invoice payment matching

• Real-time financial data

• Industry-specific reports and schedules: Loan reconciliation, inventory & COGS reconciliation, deferred revenue & prepaid expenses, class & location tracking

• Add-on services (available for an additional monthly fee): Invoicing & bill pay, profitability reporting, revenue recognition calculations, monthly expense management, inventory management, job costing schedules, 1099 support, payroll services

• Third-party provider add-on services: CFO services, technology consulting, payroll, & tax services such as tax planning, consulting, and tax return preparation

Pros

• Free consultation

• Decimal bookkeeping integrates with QuickBooks, Shopify, and other third-party tools

• Customers can choose cash- or accrual-basis accounting

• Decimal offers add-on services for advanced financial management and specialized industries

Cons

• Prices are quote-based, and new customers can’t review pricing before contacting sales

• Decimal charges an onboarding fee for all new customers

• Add-on tax filing and payroll services require a separate third-party provider

Best For

Project-based, manufacturing, and contract businesses can benefit from specialized, industry-specific reports.

Pricing

Decimal offers three pricing tiers.

• Side Hustle Small Business: $299 per month

• More Than A Side Hustle: $449 per month

• Small Business With Employees: $679 per month

Bookkeeper360

Website: Bookkeeper360 Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Dedicated accountant

• Monthly bookkeeping

• Financial reports

• Transaction reconciliations

• Revenue and profitability tracking

• Cash flow management

• Payroll analytics

• Add-on services (available for an additional monthly fee): CFO services, payroll & HR support, tax planning and return preparation, catch-up bookkeeping services, and back-office assistance such as invoicing, bill pay, and inventory management

Pros

• Free trial

• Bookkeeper360 offers both a desktop platform and a mobile app

• Bookkeeper360 integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and Gusto

• Customers can choose cash- or accrual-basis bookkeeping

Cons

• The pay-as-you-go pricing plan includes limited features, with extra charges for dedicated support

• Advanced reporting and analysis require additional fees

• Add-on payroll, sales tax, and back-office services require a separate third-party provider

Best For

Owners who need basic bookkeeping and small business accounting services can benefit from access to Bookkeeper360’s customer portal with trend reports.

Pricing

Bookkeeper360 offers three standard pricing tiers. Large business owners can request a quote for fractional CFO services.

• Pay As You Go Plan: $49 per month + $125 per hour of support

• Bookkeeping Plan: $399-$999 per month, depending on monthly business expense volume

• Controller Plan: $1,149-$1,799 per month, depending on monthly business expense volume

Add-on services:

• Bookkeeping setup and catch-up bookkeeping: $1,000+

• Business tax preparation and tax planning: $1,000+

• Individual tax returns $200-$550

• Payroll services: $200+ per month

• Sales tax services: custom pricing

• CFO services: $2,000+ per month

QuickBooks Live

Website: QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping Services

Services Offered

• Dedicated bookkeeper

• Transaction categorization

• Account reconciliations

• Monthly financial reports, including:

• Profit and loss statement

• Balance sheet

• Trial balance preparation

• Automatic imports from credit cards and bank accounts

• Add-on services (available for an additional monthly fee): Payroll services, catch-up bookkeeping

Pros

• Free consultation

• QuickBooks Live offers both a desktop platform and a mobile app

• Accuracy guarantee

• QuickBooks Live fully integrates with QuickBooks Online

Cons

• QuickBooks Live charges a mandatory onboarding fee for new customers

• Payroll services require an add-on subscription

• No tax services, such as tax planning or return preparation

• Unclear pricing tiers for advanced bookkeeping and add-on services

Best For

Business owners who subscribe to QuickBooks Online services and want additional live assistance with monthly financial reporting can benefit from QuickBooks integration.

Pricing

QuickBooks Live offers two main tiers. Monthly pricing depends on monthly business expense volume.

• Expert Assisted: $50 to $59 per month

• Expert Full-Service: $500 to $1,500 setup fee; $300 to $500 per month ongoing

What to Expect After You Sign Up

Once you select an online bookkeeping service, it's important to have realistic expectations about the onboarding process and how to prepare before finalizing your selection.

• Initial onboarding: First steps include connecting business bank accounts, reviewing the chart of accounts, and setting up integrations.

• First month: The opening weeks focus on categorizing historical transactions and establishing a reconciliation rhythm.

• Ongoing: Once onboarding is complete, expect monthly financial statements, regular check-ins with your accountant or bookkeeper, and ongoing quarterly reviews if tax services are included.

• What to prepare before signing up: Ensure you're ready to take advantage of your new bookkeeping service by preparing materials in advance, including recent bank statements, a list of recurring expenses, and access to current accounting software if applicable.

Getting Your Books in Order Without the Overhead

The best online bookkeeping service for your small business ultimately depends on your actual needs. Some owners only want basic reconciliation at a predictable price, while others need additional centralized features, such as tax preparation and filing, year-round advisory services, and financial reporting. Whichever you're looking for, there's an online bookkeeping service that can meet your requirements.

For small businesses ready for a single centralized team handling books, taxes, and planning year-round, explore 1-800Accountant's bookkeeping solution to see how full-service support can help you move forward.