Updated May 23, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Philippines-based bookkeeping VAs cost $8-$15/hr; US-based bookkeepers cost $25-$60/hr - a 3-4x price gap for comparable transaction-level work.
- A bookkeeping VA handles data entry, reconciliation, accounts payable/receivable, expense categorization, and report generation - not tax strategy or audit work.
- Most small businesses need 5-15 hours/month of bookkeeping support, costing $80-$225/month at Philippines rates.
- QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Wave are the most common platforms - confirm VA proficiency with your specific platform during hiring.
- Stealth Agents places bookkeeping-specialized VAs - specify your accounting software and transaction volume during intake.
Bookkeeping is one of the clearest VA use cases: it is skilled, recurring, rule-based work that does not require physical presence and has well-defined quality standards. The cost difference between Philippines-based bookkeeping VAs and US-based bookkeepers is substantial, and for most small business transaction volumes, the output quality is comparable.
Bookkeeping VA Rates by Market
| Market | Hourly Rate | 10 hrs/month | 20 hrs/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines VA (general) | $8-$12/hr | $80-$120 | $160-$240 |
| Philippines VA (specialized) | $10-$15/hr | $100-$150 | $200-$300 |
| Latin America VA | $12-$20/hr | $120-$200 | $240-$400 |
| US-based bookkeeper | $25-$50/hr | $250-$500 | $500-$1,000 |
| US bookkeeping service (Bench, Bookkeeper360) | $299-$499/month | flat rate | flat rate |
For most small businesses with 50-200 monthly transactions, Philippines-based bookkeeping VAs handle the workload at 10-20% of the cost of US-based alternatives.
What a Bookkeeping VA Does
Transaction recording and categorization:
- Recording income and expenses in your accounting system
- Categorizing transactions to the correct chart of accounts
- Reconciling bank and credit card statements monthly
Accounts payable:
- Recording vendor invoices
- Tracking payment due dates
- Processing payments (with your approval on each payment run)
Accounts receivable:
- Generating and sending client invoices (from your instructions or from a template)
- Tracking outstanding invoices
- Following up on overdue payments
Reporting:
- Generating monthly P&L and balance sheet reports
- Cash flow summaries
- Preparing books for your accountant's quarterly or annual review
Payroll support (limited):
- Running payroll reports, not running payroll itself (most small business owners use a payroll service like Gusto; the VA supports the administrative workflow around it)
What a Bookkeeping VA Does Not Do
A bookkeeping VA is not a CPA or tax professional. They handle transaction-level bookkeeping - the data entry and organization layer. They do not:
- File tax returns
- Provide tax strategy advice
- Perform audits or financial analysis
- Handle complex accounting issues (revenue recognition, inventory valuation, etc.)
- Sign off on financial statements
If you need tax preparation or professional accounting services, you need a CPA. Most businesses use both: a bookkeeping VA for monthly transaction work and a CPA for tax filing and strategic guidance.
Platform Proficiency
The most common accounting platforms and what to ask during hiring:
QuickBooks Online: Most common for US small businesses. The broadest VA talent pool has QBO experience. Ask specifically: "How many years of QBO experience? Desktop or Online? What transaction volumes have you managed?"
Xero: Common for tech-forward businesses and those with UK/Australia connections. Strong Philippines VA talent pool with Xero experience.
Wave: Free platform common among solopreneurs. Basic bookkeeping VAs can generally learn it quickly.
FreshBooks: Common for service-based businesses with heavy invoicing. Ask for specific FreshBooks experience.
NetSuite / QuickBooks Enterprise: More complex systems requiring specialized experience and typically higher rates.
How Much Bookkeeping Support You Need
Most small businesses underestimate the hours required. A useful framework:
Under 50 transactions/month: 4-6 hours/month of bookkeeping support 50-150 transactions/month: 8-15 hours/month 150-300 transactions/month: 15-25 hours/month 300+ transactions/month: 25-40+ hours/month
"Transactions" includes every bank/credit card line item. A business with 3 employees, regular vendor payments, and moderate customer invoicing easily reaches 100-200 transactions/month.
At Philippines rates ($10-$12/hr), 10 hours/month of bookkeeping support costs $100-$120/month - a fraction of US bookkeeper rates for the same work.
The Bookkeeping VA vs. Full-Service Bookkeeping Service
| Factor | Bookkeeping VA | Bookkeeping Service (Bench, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $80-$200/month | $299-$499+/month |
| Dedicated person | Yes (same VA each month) | Often rotated |
| Platform flexibility | Works in your system | Often proprietary system |
| Communication | Direct, daily if needed | Through support portal |
| Tax prep add-on | No | Often available |
For businesses that want a dedicated relationship and already have an accountant for tax work, a bookkeeping VA is typically the better value. Bookkeeping services make more sense when you need tax prep bundled in or prefer a managed service over direct VA management.
Stealth Agents places bookkeeping-specialized Philippines VAs. Specify your accounting platform, transaction volume, and any specialized requirements (payroll, multi-entity, ecommerce) during intake.