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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bookkeeping Virtual Assistant Cost typically cost?
Costs for Bookkeeping Virtual Assistant Cost vary based on skill level and service scope. Stealth Agents offers bookkeeping virtual assistant cost starting from $10-$15 per hour, with full-time dedicated assistants available from $1,500-$2,000 per month. Pricing scales with experience and task complexity.
How much can businesses save with Bookkeeping Virtual Assistant Cost?
Businesses typically save 60-80% compared to hiring in-house when using bookkeeping virtual assistant cost. You eliminate payroll taxes, benefits, office space, and recruitment costs. Stealth Agents clients report recovering 15-25 hours per week on average, which translates to thousands in recovered productivity monthly.
Why choose Stealth Agents for Bookkeeping Virtual Assistant Cost?
Stealth Agents has placed thousands of assistants across industries since 2014. Every assistant is pre-vetted through rigorous skills testing and background screening. You get a dedicated account manager, a satisfaction guarantee, and the flexibility to scale up or replace your assistant if your needs change. Book a discovery call to get matched with your ideal assistant.