A bookkeeping service keeps the books of small businesses for a monthly retainer: recording sales and expenses, preparing tax returns and keeping deadlines. Most start from home or a small office with a laptop, accounting software and a few first clients from referrals. The money is in steady retainers, a clear scope for each fee and work done on time; filing returns for clients needs BIR accreditation as a tax agent.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a bookkeeping service in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a small office with 1 junior in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱199,850 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into equipment (₱112,000), software (₱23,000), permits and deposits (₱26,000), launch (₱5,000) and working capital (₱33,850). Other ways to start: freelance from home at ₱40,000–₱80,000 and bookkeeping and tax practice at ₱400,000–₱800,000.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱33,850 a month; the biggest are junior bookkeeper (₱18,200), rent (₱5,000) and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG (₱2,550). Each client sold earns about ₱3,659 after its own costs, so the break-even is 9.3 clients a month, and the startup capital takes about 10 months to come back at full sales.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A bookkeeping service also needs: BIR accreditation as a tax agent, CPA licence for audits and certified statements and data privacy rules for client records. Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • A town center or business district near your clients
  • Near the RDO, the city hall and banks
  • A home office with a quiet room for client meetings
  • Online, for clients anywhere in Cebu

Mistakes to avoid

  • A missed BIR deadline. A deadline calendar, reminders a week ahead, and every return reviewed before filing.
  • Clients send records late. Written cut-off dates in the retainer, and reminders every week.
  • Too much work for the fee. A clear scope per retainer, extra fees for extra work, and a yearly price review.
  • Leaked or lost client data. Locked cabinets, passwords, backups, and files opened only by the staff who need them.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Bookkeeping Service · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.