GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bookkeeping Industry Statistics

Bookkeeping industry grows globally, embracing automation, cloud, blockchain, and AI.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average bookkeeping firm charges between $30 and $70 per hour for services

Statistic 2

The average client lifetime of a bookkeeping service is around 3 years

Statistic 3

20% of bookkeeping firms generate over $1 million in annual revenue

Statistic 4

On average, small businesses spend around $500 annually on bookkeeping software subscriptions

Statistic 5

The average cost of implementing new bookkeeping technology for small firms is around $5,000, with ROI typically seen within 6 months

Statistic 6

Approximately 45% of bookkeepers in the US are between the ages of 30 and 50

Statistic 7

The median annual salary for bookkeepers in the US was $45,000 in 2022

Statistic 8

The average retention rate for bookkeeping clients is approximately 75%

Statistic 9

55% of bookkeepers work part-time

Statistic 10

Approximately 25% of professional bookkeepers hold certifications like the Certified Bookkeeper designation

Statistic 11

The average age of professional bookkeepers is rising, with 35% over the age of 50 in 2023

Statistic 12

Business owners spend an average of 8 hours per month on bookkeeping tasks

Statistic 13

45% of small businesses consider bookkeeping a major challenge

Statistic 14

The number of certified bookkeepers increased by 18% from 2018 to 2023

Statistic 15

80% of bookkeeping professionals believe ongoing training is essential to stay current with technology

Statistic 16

The percentage of self-employed individuals providing their own bookkeeping is around 35%

Statistic 17

Nearly 40% of bookkeeping firms plan to expand their staff in the next year, citing increasing demand

Statistic 18

The majority of bookkeeping clients are in the retail and service sectors, accounting for over 60% of the client base

Statistic 19

72% of bookkeeping firms believe that remote work will continue to influence the industry post-pandemic

Statistic 20

58% of surveyed bookkeepers reported a rise in client complaints related to late invoicing or errors, indicating challenges in data accuracy

Statistic 21

The global industry workforce involved in bookkeeping is estimated to be over 2 million professionals in 2023

Statistic 22

The percentage of women in bookkeeping roles has increased to 55% in 2023, reflecting growing diversity in the industry

Statistic 23

The average number of clients per bookkeeping professional is approximately 20, with some managing over 50 clients with automation tools

Statistic 24

64% of small businesses report that bookkeeping errors have led to penalties or audit issues, emphasizing the importance of accuracy

Statistic 25

The percentage of freelance bookkeepers has increased by 22% from 2018 to 2023, indicating rising self-employment in the industry

Statistic 26

The global bookkeeping services market was valued at approximately $50 billion in 2022

Statistic 27

The bookkeeping industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 28

Cloud-based bookkeeping solutions account for around 70% of the market share in 2023

Statistic 29

Over 80% of bookkeeping firms report increased demand during tax season

Statistic 30

The number of bookkeeping businesses in the US increased by 12% between 2018 and 2023

Statistic 31

The most popular bookkeeping software in 2023 is QuickBooks, holding over 60% of the market share

Statistic 32

The use of automated bank feeds in bookkeeping software increased by 40% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 33

The industry is experiencing a 10% annual increase in demand for bilingual bookkeeping services, especially in regions with high immigrant populations

Statistic 34

The use of AI chatbots in bookkeeping customer service is expected to grow by 50% in the next 5 years

Statistic 35

The global demand for bookkeeping services is projected to increase by 6% annually, driven by small and medium enterprises

Statistic 36

Bookkeeping software market size is expected to reach $15 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 7.5%

Statistic 37

The use of electronic receipts in bookkeeping increased by 30% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 38

The use of integrated payroll and bookkeeping software is increasing at a rate of 12% annually

Statistic 39

The development of industry-specific bookkeeping solutions is increasing, with 45% of firms using tailored software for niches such as healthcare, real estate, or retail

Statistic 40

Over 60% of small businesses outsource their bookkeeping functions

Statistic 41

Small businesses using automated accounting tools report 25% fewer bookkeeping errors

Statistic 42

The adoption rate of AI-powered bookkeeping tools was around 35% in 2023

Statistic 43

More than 50% of small businesses keep their financial records manually

Statistic 44

Nearly 40% of small businesses use some form of accounting software

Statistic 45

48% of small businesses hire external bookkeepers instead of internal staff

Statistic 46

In a survey, 65% of bookkeepers reported using tax preparation features regularly

Statistic 47

33% of bookkeepers report using machine learning algorithms to improve accuracy

Statistic 48

The majority of clients prefer digital invoicing, with 85% favoring e-invoices over paper copies

Statistic 49

15% of bookkeeping firms have adopted blockchain technology for their internal systems

Statistic 50

68% of small business owners rely on bookkeeping to track financial health

Statistic 51

50% of small businesses have a dedicated internal bookkeeper, but many still outsource parts of their financial management

Statistic 52

80% of startups use bookkeeping software from cloud providers, favoring scalability and ease of access

Statistic 53

Blockchain technology is anticipated to reduce bookkeeping costs by up to 50% in the next decade

Statistic 54

62% of bookkeepers believe automation will significantly impact their profession in the next 5 years

Statistic 55

70% of bookkeeping tasks are now performed using cloud-based platforms

Statistic 56

90% of small business owners prefer having bookkeeping integrated with their accounting software

Statistic 57

The biggest challenge faced by bookkeeping firms is maintaining accuracy, cited by 62% of firms

Statistic 58

58% of bookkeepers utilize mobile apps to manage financial records remotely

Statistic 59

72% of bookkeeping professionals believe blockchain will transform bookkeeping in the next decade

Statistic 60

The average turnaround time for bookkeeping tasks has decreased by 20% since 2019 due to automation

Statistic 61

Over 65% of bookkeeping firms report increased profitability after adopting new digital technologies

Statistic 62

The majority of small businesses prefer online bookkeeping solutions, with 78% opting for cloud-based platforms

Statistic 63

55% of bookkeeping firms experienced a revenue increase in 2022 due to automation and new technologies

Statistic 64

67% of professional bookkeepers prefer to use integrated software solutions that combine bookkeeping with accounting functions

Statistic 65

55% of bookkeeping firms report increased focus on cybersecurity to protect financial data, especially with rise in online banking and cloud storage

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Key Highlights

The global bookkeeping services market was valued at approximately $50 billion in 2022
Over 60% of small businesses outsource their bookkeeping functions
The bookkeeping industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030
Approximately 45% of bookkeepers in the US are between the ages of 30 and 50
Small businesses using automated accounting tools report 25% fewer bookkeeping errors
Cloud-based bookkeeping solutions account for around 70% of the market share in 2023
Blockchain technology is anticipated to reduce bookkeeping costs by up to 50% in the next decade
The median annual salary for bookkeepers in the US was $45,000 in 2022
Over 80% of bookkeeping firms report increased demand during tax season
The adoption rate of AI-powered bookkeeping tools was around 35% in 2023
More than 50% of small businesses keep their financial records manually
The average retention rate for bookkeeping clients is approximately 75%
62% of bookkeepers believe automation will significantly impact their profession in the next 5 years

The bookkeeping industry is on the brink of a transformation, with a global market valued at over $50 billion in 2022 and projected to grow steadily at 4.2% annually, driven by increasing adoption of automation, cloud solutions, and emerging technologies that are reshaping how small businesses manage their finances.

Financial Metrics and Business Focus

The average bookkeeping firm charges between $30 and $70 per hour for services
The average client lifetime of a bookkeeping service is around 3 years
20% of bookkeeping firms generate over $1 million in annual revenue
On average, small businesses spend around $500 annually on bookkeeping software subscriptions
The average cost of implementing new bookkeeping technology for small firms is around $5,000, with ROI typically seen within 6 months

Financial Metrics and Business Focus Interpretation

While small businesses invest modestly in software and implementation—around $500 annually and $5,000 upfront—top-tier bookkeeping firms earning over a million dollars a year demonstrate that consistent, quality service priced between $30 and $70 an hour can, over a lifetime of roughly three years, turn diligent bookkeeping into a lucrative venture worth the investment.

Industry and Workforce Demographics

Approximately 45% of bookkeepers in the US are between the ages of 30 and 50
The median annual salary for bookkeepers in the US was $45,000 in 2022
The average retention rate for bookkeeping clients is approximately 75%
55% of bookkeepers work part-time
Approximately 25% of professional bookkeepers hold certifications like the Certified Bookkeeper designation
The average age of professional bookkeepers is rising, with 35% over the age of 50 in 2023
Business owners spend an average of 8 hours per month on bookkeeping tasks
45% of small businesses consider bookkeeping a major challenge
The number of certified bookkeepers increased by 18% from 2018 to 2023
80% of bookkeeping professionals believe ongoing training is essential to stay current with technology
The percentage of self-employed individuals providing their own bookkeeping is around 35%
Nearly 40% of bookkeeping firms plan to expand their staff in the next year, citing increasing demand
The majority of bookkeeping clients are in the retail and service sectors, accounting for over 60% of the client base
72% of bookkeeping firms believe that remote work will continue to influence the industry post-pandemic
58% of surveyed bookkeepers reported a rise in client complaints related to late invoicing or errors, indicating challenges in data accuracy
The global industry workforce involved in bookkeeping is estimated to be over 2 million professionals in 2023
The percentage of women in bookkeeping roles has increased to 55% in 2023, reflecting growing diversity in the industry
The average number of clients per bookkeeping professional is approximately 20, with some managing over 50 clients with automation tools
64% of small businesses report that bookkeeping errors have led to penalties or audit issues, emphasizing the importance of accuracy
The percentage of freelance bookkeepers has increased by 22% from 2018 to 2023, indicating rising self-employment in the industry

Industry and Workforce Demographics Interpretation

As the industry ages gracefully with over a third of bookkeepers over 50 and a growing pool of certified professionals, the data underscores a still-challenged landscape where accuracy, ongoing training, and technological adaptation are vital, even as nearly half the small businesses grapple with the daunting task of bookkeeping—making industry growth both a testament to resilience and a reminder of the need for better support and innovation.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global bookkeeping services market was valued at approximately $50 billion in 2022
The bookkeeping industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030
Cloud-based bookkeeping solutions account for around 70% of the market share in 2023
Over 80% of bookkeeping firms report increased demand during tax season
The number of bookkeeping businesses in the US increased by 12% between 2018 and 2023
The most popular bookkeeping software in 2023 is QuickBooks, holding over 60% of the market share
The use of automated bank feeds in bookkeeping software increased by 40% from 2019 to 2023
The industry is experiencing a 10% annual increase in demand for bilingual bookkeeping services, especially in regions with high immigrant populations
The use of AI chatbots in bookkeeping customer service is expected to grow by 50% in the next 5 years
The global demand for bookkeeping services is projected to increase by 6% annually, driven by small and medium enterprises
Bookkeeping software market size is expected to reach $15 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 7.5%
The use of electronic receipts in bookkeeping increased by 30% from 2019 to 2023
The use of integrated payroll and bookkeeping software is increasing at a rate of 12% annually
The development of industry-specific bookkeeping solutions is increasing, with 45% of firms using tailored software for niches such as healthcare, real estate, or retail

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

As the global bookkeeping industry, now valued at $50 billion and growing steadily at 4.2% annually, shifts increasingly towards cloud-based, automated, and industry-specific solutions—while bilingual and AI-enhanced services prove indispensable—the only thing certain is that in the world of numbers, staying current is the ultimate ledger of success.

Outsourcing and Adoption Patterns

Over 60% of small businesses outsource their bookkeeping functions
Small businesses using automated accounting tools report 25% fewer bookkeeping errors
The adoption rate of AI-powered bookkeeping tools was around 35% in 2023
More than 50% of small businesses keep their financial records manually
Nearly 40% of small businesses use some form of accounting software
48% of small businesses hire external bookkeepers instead of internal staff
In a survey, 65% of bookkeepers reported using tax preparation features regularly
33% of bookkeepers report using machine learning algorithms to improve accuracy
The majority of clients prefer digital invoicing, with 85% favoring e-invoices over paper copies
15% of bookkeeping firms have adopted blockchain technology for their internal systems
68% of small business owners rely on bookkeeping to track financial health
50% of small businesses have a dedicated internal bookkeeper, but many still outsource parts of their financial management
80% of startups use bookkeeping software from cloud providers, favoring scalability and ease of access

Outsourcing and Adoption Patterns Interpretation

As small businesses increasingly lean on automation and outsourcing—highlighted by over 60% outsourcing bookkeeping and 80% of startups adopting cloud software—they're both embracing technological precision and grappling with a fragmented approach, where nearly half still rely on manual records yet 85% favor digital invoicing, underscoring that in the race for financial accuracy, the industry remains a hybrid of tradition and innovation.

Technological Integration and Impact

Blockchain technology is anticipated to reduce bookkeeping costs by up to 50% in the next decade
62% of bookkeepers believe automation will significantly impact their profession in the next 5 years
70% of bookkeeping tasks are now performed using cloud-based platforms
90% of small business owners prefer having bookkeeping integrated with their accounting software
The biggest challenge faced by bookkeeping firms is maintaining accuracy, cited by 62% of firms
58% of bookkeepers utilize mobile apps to manage financial records remotely
72% of bookkeeping professionals believe blockchain will transform bookkeeping in the next decade
The average turnaround time for bookkeeping tasks has decreased by 20% since 2019 due to automation
Over 65% of bookkeeping firms report increased profitability after adopting new digital technologies
The majority of small businesses prefer online bookkeeping solutions, with 78% opting for cloud-based platforms
55% of bookkeeping firms experienced a revenue increase in 2022 due to automation and new technologies
67% of professional bookkeepers prefer to use integrated software solutions that combine bookkeeping with accounting functions
55% of bookkeeping firms report increased focus on cybersecurity to protect financial data, especially with rise in online banking and cloud storage

Technological Integration and Impact Interpretation

As blockchain and cloud-based automation revolutionize the bookkeeping landscape—cutting costs, boosting efficiency, and propelling profitability—firms must also double down on accuracy and cybersecurity to keep pace in a digital era where 78% of small businesses prefer online solutions and over half of firms see their revenues soaring thanks to technological innovation.