If quotes for outsourced bookkeeping feel opaque, the issue is usually structural. UK SMEs often request “hourly” or “monthly” prices without aligning scope, volumes, or reporting expectations. The result is proposals that are difficult to compare and service outcomes that vary over time.
Without a consistent brief, each provider interprets the work differently, making quotes hard to compare.
What drives realistic quotes
The biggest price drivers are transaction volume, entities/bank feeds, AP/AR workload, and whether the scope includes VAT submissions and month-end close with management reporting.
Providers also price for integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage), response-time SLAs, and audit-trail readiness as boards demand tighter controls. The latest Deloitte UK CFO Survey shows cost pressure remains elevated, so finance leaders continue to prioritise predictable, scalable delivery over expanding internal teams.
Why outsourcing is rising
Independent research points to a continued shift toward external specialists for back-office work. A UK-focused back-office outsourcing report finds 57% of organisations plan to increase outsourcing, signalling demand for standardised, measurable outcomes across finance processes.
Alongside that, Clutch’s UK small-business study reveals a strong intent to increase outsourcing, reflecting the search for efficiency and specialist capability without permanent hires.
Funding conditions also influence the decision. The British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets Report 2025 highlights tighter funding dynamics for smaller organisations, reinforcing the appeal of variable-cost finance ops over fixed payroll.
UK regulatory expectations
Quotes increasingly include controls, documentation, and reconciliations aligned to regulator expectations. The Financial Reporting Council’s annual inspection results emphasise robust evidence and revenue-related testing, which filters into what “good” bookkeeping and month-end packs look like. That means clearer scoping for journals, reconciliations, and review notes in provider proposals.
How Sanay structures its outsourced bookkeeping services
Sanay publishes transparent tiers so buyers can compare like-for-like:
- “Virtual Bookkeeping Partner — from £450 p/m” with VAT and balance-sheet reconciliations designed to “free up your time to focus on your business.”
- “Remote Financial Controller — from £700 p/m” with reviews, analysis and recommendations to “make decisions that will help your business financially.”
- “Outsourced Finance Department — from £1,000 p/m” for “your entire Finance Department without the cost of hiring.”
To explore which tier aligns best with your finance process needs, visit the Sanay Compare Plans page or contact the team directly.
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