How to staff the books
An in house bookkeeper against outsourced bookkeeping
The real cost of each, including the parts that do not appear on a salary line. Outsourced monthly bookkeeping from $500/mo.
Monthly bookkeeping from $500/mo+. Monthly payroll from $150/mo+. See starting fees. Amounts are starting prices plus 5% GST.
Calgary office · eligible remote work across Canada
The salary is not the comparison
Businesses compare a bookkeeper's salary against a monthly fee and conclude hiring is cheaper. The salary is not the cost. Employer CPP and EI, vacation, software licences, the time spent supervising someone whose work nobody else can check, and the month everything stops when they are away all belong in the same column.
Against that, an employee is there every day, learns the business properly and can chase a customer invoice at four in the afternoon. Outsourcing gives continuity, a second set of eyes and no single point of failure, at a known monthly number. Many businesses end up splitting it, keeping daily entry in house and the close, sales tax and year end outside.
Before you call
What happens on the first call
The first conversation is free and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A team member in Calgary answers, asks what is urgent, and explains the useful next step. There is no obligation to start an engagement.
- Step 1
Tell us the pressure point
A CRA letter, a filing deadline, messy books, payroll, or a decision you need to understand.
- Step 2
We ask a few practical questions
Entity type, province, records, software, and the date that matters. You do not need a perfect file first.
- Step 3
You leave with a next step
We explain the work, the information required, timing, and price before anything begins.
Ready now? Call +1 (587) 894-7451 or .
Fees
How we price the work
The first conversation is free. Starting fees are published on the fees page. Those amounts are starting prices and subject to 5% GST. Final fees depend on complexity, volume, record quality and scope. Fixed fees are provided where the engagement scope can be determined in advance. You will know the price before paid work starts.
Client feedback
What Calgary clients say
Husain Haroun, CPA, FCCA
Meet the founder who reviews the work“Working with HBT Accounting and the team was extremely efficient, thorough and professional.”
“HBT Accounting has a great team, as they have done all my annual taxes in professional way.”
“The team was helpful, easy to communicate with, and made everything stress free.”
Cannot call right now?
Request a call back in three quick steps
Tell us what you need help with and when suits you. We prepare the message and open your own email app so you can send it. Nothing is submitted to our servers.
Or email us directly: hbt@hbtaccounting.com
Service scope
What actually belongs in the comparison
The exact responsibilities, timing, and records depend on the agreed engagement. These are the areas we can discuss when shaping a scope that fits your business.
Total employment cost
Salary plus employer CPP and EI, vacation, software and the time spent supervising.
Cover and continuity
What happens during holiday, illness or notice. A single bookkeeper is a single point of failure.
Who reviews the work
An employee's work is often unchecked. An outsourced close includes a second set of eyes by design.
Side by side
Staffing the books compared
| Compared on | In house bookkeeper | Outsourced |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay | In house bookkeeperSalary plus employer CPP and EI, vacation and software | OutsourcedA monthly fee, from $500 |
| Cover during absence | In house bookkeeperNone unless someone else can step in | OutsourcedBuilt in |
| Who reviews the work | In house bookkeeperOften nobody | OutsourcedA second set of eyes by design |
| Knowledge of the business | In house bookkeeperDeep, learns it daily | OutsourcedGood, built from the records and regular contact |
| Scales with volume | In house bookkeeperHiring or overtime | OutsourcedScope and fee adjusted |
| Best suited to | In house bookkeeperHigh daily transaction volume | OutsourcedMost owner managed businesses |
How the work begins
A clear process before the accounting starts
- Step 1
Count the real volume
Transactions, accounts and employees decide how much work there genuinely is.
- Step 2
Compare like for like
Total cost of employment against a monthly fee, with both written down.
- Step 3
Split it if that fits
Daily entry in house, close and sales tax outside, is a common and sensible arrangement.
Common question
Is it cheaper to hire a bookkeeper or outsource the bookkeeping?
Compare total cost rather than salary against fee. An employee carries employer CPP and EI, vacation, software licences, supervision time and no cover when they are away. Outsourced bookkeeping starts at $500 per month with continuity and review built in. Businesses with high daily transaction volume often justify an employee. Most owner managed businesses do not, and many split the work, keeping daily entry in house and the close outside.
Helpful guides
Read the details before your next conversation
Start with one clear question
Tell us what you need help understanding
Call or text HBT Accounting in Calgary, Alberta at +1 (587) 894-7451. We will ask a few practical questions and explain the most useful next step.
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm MT · Sat 9am–4pm MT. We reply to call requests and emails during business hours, usually the same day. If we are closed, send a call request and we will reply when the office opens.