How Much Bookkeeper Charges in Polokwane: A Real Look at Monthly Rates for 2025

How much bookkeeper charges in Polokwane is one of the most common questions I hear from new business owners. If you’re just starting out, recently landed a big client, or are drowning in receipts and overdue invoices, you’re likely wondering, “How much is this going to cost me?”

I get it. I’ve been there too — unsure who to hire, what’s considered “too expensive,” or whether I should go for someone part-time or hire an entire firm. In this post, I want to take you behind the curtain and break it all down — not as a sales pitch, but as someone who’s helped dozens of entrepreneurs in Polokwane figure this out. I’m Olivia Sambo, and I’ve worked as both an accountant and a bookkeeper, helping businesses build systems that give them clarity and control over their finances. If you ever need help, feel free to reach out — I’d be glad to assist you.

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The Truth About Bookkeeping Rates in Polokwane

If you’ve searched for bookkeeping monthly fees Polokwane or asked friends for referrals, you’ve probably noticed the same thing: pricing varies wildly. Some people quote R3,500 a month, others R36,000 — and everything in between.

So, what’s the deal? If you are still asking yourself, Why should you hire a bookkeeper for your business read this article here.

Let me walk you through the real factors that influence how much a bookkeeper or accountant charges in Polokwane.

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1. What Kind of Services Do You Need?

Not all financial professionals offer the same services, and what you need depends on how your business runs.

Basic Bookkeeping Services Include:

• Capturing transactions (sales, expenses, etc.)

• Monthly reconciliations

• Managing cash flow and petty cash

• Supplier and customer statement tracking

➡ Typical Rate: R3,600 – R28,000/month+ for small businesses

Advanced Bookkeeping or Full Accounting Services May Include:

• VAT calculations and submissions

• Payroll & EMP201 returns

• Annual Financial Statements

• Income tax, provisional tax, and CIPC compliance

• Financial reporting and forecasting

➡ Typical Rate: R6,500 – R35,000/month+ depending on complexity and turnover

Auditors Fees in Polokwane

If your business is legally required to be audited, or you need independent financial reviews for tender applications, expect higher costs.

➡ Auditing Rates: From R10,000/month and up, depending on company size and reporting frequency

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2. Business Size and Monthly Transactions

A consultant who runs a small service-based business with 20–50 transactions a month will pay much less than a retail store with stock management, multiple staff, and hundreds of entries every week.

When looking at how much accountant charges per month Polokwane, consider:

• Volume of transactions

• Industry (e.g., construction, retail, consulting)

• Number of employees

• Software requirements

➡ Bigger business = more data = more time = higher rates

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3. Type of Professional You Hire

There are three common types of service providers in Polokwane:

Freelance Bookkeepers:

• Often affordable for startups and sole traders

• May charge hourly (R550 – R850/hour+)

• Good for basic capture and reconciliation work

Accounting Firms:

• Offer end-to-end financial management

• Ideal for businesses with payroll, VAT, and compliance needs

• Packages start from around R6,500/month and up

Part-time In-House Bookkeepers:

• If you prefer having someone on-site weekly or monthly

• You’ll pay per visit or a fixed rate, plus software costs

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4. Do You Need Monthly or Annual Support?

One big mistake I see new business owners make is thinking year-end financial statements are enough. They’re not.

Here’s why monthly bookkeeping matters:

• It keeps your VAT returns accurate and on time

• You can track cash flow in real time

• You avoid panic during tax season

• You always know if your business is making or losing money

If you wait till the end of the year, it may cost you more to fix the mess.

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What You Should Be Paying: Latest Bookkeeping Price List Polokwane (2025)

These are average estimates based on local market rates and business complexity. Always ask for a quote based on your unique needs.

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5. Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bookkeeper or Accountant

I’ve learned that price alone shouldn’t be your only decision factor. Ask these questions before hiring anyone:

• What services are included in your monthly fee?

• Do you use cloud-based software (like QuickBooks, Sage, Simplepay or Xero)?

• How often will I receive reports?

• Can you help with VAT, payroll, and tax compliance?

• What industries do you specialize in?

The goal is to find someone who not only fits your budget — but fits your business style, growth plans, and personality.
Not sure if you need a bookkeeper or accountant yet? This guide on bookkeepers in Polokwane explains everything.

Expanded Price Insights Based on Turnover and Transaction Volume

The cost of bookkeeping isn’t one-size-fits-all — and if you’re running a business in Polokwane, it’s important to understand how your turnover and transaction volume influence the final price you’ll pay.

Estimated Costs Based on Annual Turnover

• Small businesses (Turnover up to R500,000/year):
   R3,500 – R12,500+ per month
  Great for startups, freelancers, and consultants with simple needs.

• Medium businesses (R500,000 – R5 million/year):
  R13,000 – R55,500+ per month
  These businesses typically need VAT submissions, payroll, and regular reporting.

• Large businesses (Over R5 million/year):
  R65,000+ per month
  Complex operations, multiple bank accounts, supplier tracking, and SARS audits drive up this cost.

NOTE: The cost of monthly or hourly bookkeeping, accounting, SARS tax prep, VAT filings, and financial statement services depends largely on your business’s size, the complexity of your finances, the kind of reports you need, the level of experience the accountant or bookkeeper brings to the table, and your business’s annual or monthly turnover.

Pricing Based on Monthly Transaction Volume

• Up to 100 transactions/month → R2,500 – R3,800+

• 100 – 200 transactions/month → R3,800 – R6,500+

• Over 200 transactions/month → R6,500+

More transactions = more reconciliations = more time and effort = more cost

NOTE: The cost of monthly or hourly bookkeeping, accounting, SARS tax prep, VAT filings, and financial statement services depends largely on your business’s size, the complexity of your finances, the kind of reports you need, the level of experience the accountant or bookkeeper brings to the table, and your business’s annual or monthly turnover.

Bookkeeping for Businesses with Past Compliance Issues

If you’ve fallen behind on SARS submissions, or your books haven’t been updated in years, expect a higher initial quote. Backlog bookkeeping requires careful cleanup, adjustments, and SARS submissions — often under tight deadlines.

💡 Tip: Keeping your books up to date monthly is the best way to avoid paying high catch-up fees.

Hourly vs. Monthly Pricing Models in Polokwane

Just like in Emalahleni, many professionals in Polokwane offer two standard pricing models:

1. Hourly Bookkeeping Rates (Estimated)

• Junior bookkeeper: R500 – R650/hour

• Mid-level bookkeeper: R650 – R900/hour+

• Senior bookkeeper or accountant: R900 – R1,850/hour+

Best for occasional work or once-off projects
It Can be unpredictable for businesses with many monthly transactions

2. Fixed Monthly Fees (More Predictable)

• Basic bookkeeping (up to 100 transactions): R2,800 – R3,800/month

• Intermediate (100–200 transactions): R3,800 – R6,500/month+

• Advanced (200+ transactions, VAT, Payroll): R6,500+/month+

Fixed pricing gives you a clearer picture of what to expect each month — and helps you plan ahead with confidence.

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A Real Story from a Local Business

One of my clients — a creative agency based in Polokwane — started off doing their own books. It worked at first. But when they landed a R400,000 project, they quickly realized things had gotten out of hand. Deadlines were missed, invoices forgotten, and VAT wasn’t even being tracked.

We started small: just monthly reconciliations and a VAT catch-up. Three months later, they were tracking profit per client, planning quarterly, and actually saving for tax season. They went from chaos to control — and it didn’t cost them as much as they feared.

That’s the power of the right bookkeeping at the right time. check out our post about how much does bookkeeper charge for a sole proprietor in Polokwane.

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Final Thoughts: So, How Much Is a Bookkeeper in Polokwane?

If you’ve been searching for bookkeeper charges Polokwane or wondering about bookkeeping monthly fees in South Africa, here’s your answer:

It depends on your business size, needs, and what level of support you require.
It can range from R3,500 to over R100,000/month.
And most importantly, it’s worth it — because when your books are clean, your business is stronger.

If you’re unsure what to choose or what package fits your business, let’s figure it out together. Reach out for a quick chat — I’ll help you find clarity without the overwhelm.
Read how to choose the right accountant in Polokwane for your business.