An honest look at RemoteBooks Online — pricing, service scope, customer feedback, and how it compares to full-service bookkeeping
RemoteBooks Online Review (2026)
RemoteBooks Online offers virtual bookkeeping services at $150 per account per month, designed for small businesses that want a dedicated bookkeeper with predictable per-account pricing. In this blog, we provide an objective review of RemoteBooks Online, compare it with Maxim Liberty, and outline the key differences to help you make an informed decision. RemoteBooks Online is a virtual bookkeeping service that charges $150 per account per month, with $25 for each additional account. Founded in 2012, the company pairs each client with a dedicated bookkeeper and delivers monthly financial statements — positioning itself as an affordable alternative to in-house bookkeeping. But how does the service hold up in practice, and where does it fall short compared to a full-service provider?
Choosing the right virtual bookkeeping provider means sifting through dozens of options — each with different pricing, tech stacks, and service models. RemoteBooks Online positions itself as a budget-friendly choice for small businesses that use QuickBooks. Below, we break down their real pricing, service limits, and how they compare to a US-headquartered bookkeeping support team like Maxim Liberty.
Transparency Note: This review is researched and published by Maxim Liberty. While we are a direct competitor, we have utilized objective pricing data, BBB ratings, and verified customer reviews to provide a fair market analysis of the best bookkeeping services available.
At a Glance: RemoteBooks Online vs. Maxim Liberty
Before diving into the details, here is the head-to-head comparison. The data below comes from publicly listed pricing and verified service offerings:
| Factors | Remote Books Online | Maxim Liberty | The Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating |
|
|
Higher Quality & Volume |
| BBB Status |
|
|
No BBB Complaints |
| Base Monthly Price | $150/account/mo + $25/ea additional account | $75/mo for 1 entity (5 hours) | 57% Savings |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping | ~$1,800+/yr (est. $150/mo per historical month) | $10–15/hr — no limit on how far back | 78% Savings |
| Special Plan for CPAs | None listed | Yes — $300/mo white-label plan | Built for CPAs |
| Enterprise AP/AR | Unavailable on standard plan | Yes — dedicated AP/AR ($10/hr) | Scales with You |
| Data Integrity | Users report deleted classes and chart changes | Maintains existing chart of accounts | Data Safety |
The Verdict: Real Customer Experiences
To understand how a service operates practically, it is often helpful to read verified consumer feedback. The following are publicly available reviews posted by verified users regarding their experience with Remote Books Online on Trustpilot.
What Is RemoteBooks Online?
RemoteBooks Online is a US-based virtual bookkeeping service that handles transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, and monthly financial reporting. They support QuickBooks Online and Xero, and each client is assigned a dedicated bookkeeper. Their service includes CPA review of monthly deliverables.
RemoteBooks Online Pricing
1. The Per-Account Fee Model
Unlike flat-rate providers, RemoteBooks Online prices by the number of connected accounts. Here is how the math works for a typical small business:
- 1 account — $150/mo
- 2 accounts — $175/mo ($150 + $25)
- 4 accounts (e.g., 2 bank + 2 credit cards) — $225/mo ($150 + $75)
- 6 accounts — $275/mo ($150 + $125)
The more accounts you connect, the higher the monthly cost. For businesses with multiple bank accounts, credit cards, and payment processors, the per-account model adds up quickly.
The Maxim Liberty Difference: We start at just $75 per month. We do not charge per-account fees. You pay strictly for the time our bookkeepers actively spend working on your ledger, regardless of how many bank feeds are connected.
2. Catch-Up Bookkeeping Costs
If you are behind on your books, RemoteBooks Online generally charges a flat historical monthly rate (e.g., $150) for every historical month they process. If you need a full year of catch-up bookkeeping, you are looking at approximately $1,800 ($150 × 12).
The Maxim Liberty Difference: We recognize that processing 12 months of backlogged bookkeeping at once is highly efficient because rules and vendor categorizations carry over. We offer discounted catch-up pricing based on actual volume. For example, assuming 100 transactions per month (1,200 total) at $0.25 per transaction, plus basic setup, your catch-up cost with us would be roughly $400. That is a 78% savings compared to flat monthly multipliers. And there is no limit on how far back we can go — whether you need 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years of catch-up, we handle it all.
Is RemoteBooks Online Actually Startup-Friendly? (The Reality)
RBO markets itself as accessible for small businesses, but the per-account pricing model can quickly add up for early-stage founders managing multiple QBO files, sister entities, or backlog cleanup.
The Per-Account Trap
- $150/account base: Higher than alternatives — and multiplied for every additional QBO file or entity you maintain.
- +$25/month per additional account: Each subsidiary, sister entity, or QBO file adds another $25/mo on top of the base.
- Catch-up pricing trap: Historical bookkeeping bills out at roughly $150/month per backlog month. A startup with 6–12 months of backlog quickly runs $900–$1,800+ in catch-up alone.
- Flat-rate when you don’t need it: RBO charges the full monthly rate even in slow months when transaction volume is light.
How Maxim Liberty Compares
- $75/month for 1 entity (5 hours): Transparent published rate with no hidden tiers or escalation surprises.
- Catch-up at $10–$10/hour: Pay only for the hours actually needed to clean up backlog, not a flat monthly bracket.
- Hourly model scales with your reality: Slow months cost less; busy months cost more — billed for actual work performed.
Startup Pricing Comparison (1 entity, 5 hours/month)
| QBO Files / Accounts | RemoteBooks Online | Maxim Liberty | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 accounts | $175/mo ($150 + 1×$25) | $75/mo | $100/mo savings |
| 3 accounts | $200/mo ($150 + 2×$25) | $75/mo | $125/mo savings |
| 4 accounts | $225/mo ($150 + 3×$25) | $75/mo | $150/mo savings |
| 6 accounts | $275/mo ($150 + 5×$25) | $75/mo | $200/mo savings |
Is RemoteBooks Online CPA-Friendly?
CPA firms managing multiple end-clients have a different workload structure than direct businesses. The question is whether RBO has a tier built for that workflow — and whether it covers multiple entities at a flat rate without per-account stacking.
RBO’s CPA Picture
- No dedicated CPA white-label tier: RBO does not advertise a plan purpose-built for accounting firms managing multiple end-clients.
- Per-account stacking: Each end-client carries a separate $150/month base, plus $25/month for each additional QBO file or entity under that client.
- Math for a 4-client CPA practice: Roughly $150 + $25×3 = $225/month at minimum, before catch-up work or any expanded scope.
- No bundled-hours model: Pricing is per-account flat, not hours-based — meaning slow months cost the same as busy ones.
Maxim Liberty’s CPA Path: $75 → $300
- Solo CPA, 1 entity — $75/month (5 hours): Same entry pricing as a direct business. Start here if you’re managing your own books or a single client.
- CPA Firm, unlimited entities — $300/month CPA Plan (30 hours): White-label, unlimited entities included, no per-account multiplier. The only Maxim Liberty plan that covers multiple entities under a single engagement.
- Beyond 30 hours — additional hours billed at $10/hour: Scales without bracket walls; pay for the hours used.
- Built for CPA workflow: White-label deliverables, dedicated bookkeeper, response SLAs that match a firm’s client-facing cadence.
The Bottom Line for CPAs
Most CPA practices run multiple active end-clients at any given time. Maxim Liberty’s $300/month CPA plan — 30 hours per month with no limit on the number of entities covered — was built specifically for that workload. RBO doesn’t offer a comparable bundled tier, so every additional entity adds another base + per-account fee on top.
CPA Firm Pricing Comparison
| CPA Firm Workload | RemoteBooks Online | Maxim Liberty | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 entity, 4 accounts | $225/mo ($150 + 3×$25) | $75/mo (5 hrs) | 3× cheaper |
| 2 entities, 8 accounts | $450/mo ($150×2 + 6×$25) | $150/mo (10 hrs) | 3× cheaper |
| 5 entities, 20 accounts | $1,125/mo ($150×5 + 15×$25) | $300/mo CPA Plan (30 hrs) | 3.75× cheaper |
| 10 entities, 40 accounts | $2,250/mo ($150×10 + 30×$25) | $300/mo CPA Plan (30 hrs) | 7.5× cheaper |
Note: RemoteBooks Online does not publish a dedicated CPA or white-label plan. The pricing shown applies their standard “$150/account base + $25/each additional account” model to CPA-managed entities. If RBO offers volume or CPA-specific discounts, they are not publicly disclosed on their pricing page.
Comparing offshore CPA-firm staffing options? See our TOA Global review — Australia-based offshore staffing for accounting practices with quote-only pricing.
Comparing tiered subscription bookkeeping? See our CoCountant review — controller-led bookkeeping with annual-billed plans from $160 to $1,790/month and a class-tracking paywall.
RemoteBooks Online: Pros and Cons
What RemoteBooks Online Does Well
- Affordable entry price — at $150/mo for a single account, RemoteBooks Online is one of the lower-cost options on the market for basic bookkeeping.
- No software lock-in — they work with your existing QuickBooks Online or Xero account, so you keep your data if you leave.
- Dedicated bookkeeper — each client is assigned a specific bookkeeper rather than being routed to a pool.
- CPA review included — monthly deliverables are reviewed by a CPA before delivery.
- BBB accredited — A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Where RemoteBooks Online Falls Short
- Per-account pricing adds up — the $150 base covers one account. Most businesses have 3–6 connected accounts, which means actual costs range from $200 to $275+ per month.
- Limited service scope — RemoteBooks Online focuses on transaction categorization and reconciliation. They do not offer accounts payable management, accounts receivable management, sales tax filing, or year-end tax preparation as part of their standard plans.
- No industry specialization — the service uses a general approach. Businesses in specialized industries like construction, restaurants, or nonprofits may find their needs unmet.
- Basic financial reporting — deliverables are limited to P&L and balance sheet. No cash flow statements, custom reports, or financial analysis.
- Software limited to QBO and Xero — if you use Sage, FreshBooks, NetSuite, or Wave, RemoteBooks Online cannot support you.
- Data integrity concerns — several customer reviews report that their bookkeeper modified or deleted existing account classes, disrupting previously organized records.
- No CPA firm partnerships — unlike providers that offer white-label bookkeeping for CPA firms, RemoteBooks Online serves direct clients only.
Is RemoteBooks Online Enterprise-Ready?
At enterprise scope — high-transaction-volume bookkeeping, AP/AR processing, multi-currency consolidation, or 20+ hours of monthly work — RBO’s per-account flat fee starts to fall short. Their standard plan doesn’t include AP/AR scaling, and additional scope typically requires a custom quote. Maxim Liberty’s $300/month plan bundles 20 hours of work for a single entity, including AP/AR, at a published rate.
Enterprise Pricing Comparison (1 entity, AP/AR + multi-currency, 20 hours/month)
| QBO Files / Accounts | RemoteBooks Online | Maxim Liberty | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 accounts + AP/AR | $175/mo + custom AP/AR add-ons | $300/mo for 20 hours (bundled) | Predictable, all-in |
| 3 accounts + AP/AR | $200/mo + custom AP/AR add-ons | $300/mo for 20 hours | Predictable, all-in |
| 4 accounts + AP/AR | $225/mo + custom AP/AR add-ons | $300/mo for 20 hours | Predictable, all-in |
| 6 accounts + AP/AR | $275/mo + custom AP/AR add-ons | $300/mo for 20 hours | Predictable, all-in |
Note: RemoteBooks Online does not publicly disclose pricing for enterprise AP/AR or multi-currency engagements. Quoted RBO totals show the per-account base rate only — actual enterprise scope typically requires a custom quote on top.
RemoteBooks Online vs. Maxim Liberty: Full Comparison
The table below provides a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of both services:
| Factors | Remote Books Online | Maxim Liberty | The Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Pricing | $150/account + $25/ea additional | Custom plans from $75/mo | 50%+ Savings |
| Software Supported | QuickBooks Online, Xero | QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreshBooks, Wave, NetSuite, and more | 6× More Platforms |
| CPA Review | Yes — included | CPA-ready packages prepared for your CPA | CPA-Ready |
| Dedicated Bookkeeper | Yes | Yes — dedicated team | Dedicated Team |
| Accounts Payable | No | Yes — full AP management ($10/hr) | Full AP Support |
| Accounts Receivable | No | Yes — invoicing and collections ($10/hr) | Full AR Support |
| Payroll | Add-on ($50+/mo) | Included or add-on | Included |
| Sales Tax Filing | Add-on | Yes | Included |
| Industry Specialization | General small business | 25+ industries | 25+ Industries |
| CPA Firm Support | No | Yes — white-label for CPA firms ($10/hr) | White-Label Ready |
| Financial Reporting | P&L, balance sheet | P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, custom reports | More Reports |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping | Custom quote (charged per historical month) | $10–15/hr — no limit on how far back | No Limit |
| Data Integrity | Users report deleted classes and chart changes | Maintains existing chart of accounts | Data Safety |
| Years in Business | Since 2012 | 20+ years (since 2005) | 8+ More Years |
Who Should Use RemoteBooks Online?
RemoteBooks Online is a reasonable choice for micro-businesses that need basic bookkeeping with a single connected account and do not require advanced services like AP/AR management, payroll, or industry-specific expertise. It works best for:
- Solo businesses with one bank account and one credit card
- Businesses that only need transaction categorization and monthly P&L
- Companies already using QuickBooks Online or Xero
- Businesses with straightforward, low-volume books
If you have multiple accounts, need catch-up bookkeeping, require payroll processing, or operate in a specialized industry, a full-service provider will likely be more cost-effective and thorough. Maxim Liberty supports all major accounting platforms, with industry specialization in 25+ sectors and 20+ years of experience.
RemoteBooks Online Alternatives
If RemoteBooks Online does not match your needs, consider these alternatives reviewed on our site:
- QuickBooks Live review — Intuit’s built-in bookkeeping service for QBO users
- Bench Accounting review — proprietary software with dedicated bookkeepers
- Pilot review — bookkeeping for startups and tech companies
- Bookkeeper360 review — cloud-based bookkeeping with advisory services
- Best bookkeeping services — our full comparison of the top 12 providers
- Meru Accounting review — offshore dedicated-staff model with documented BBB complaint
- AccountingDepartment.com review — premium-priced mid-market alternative starting at $1,500/month
Looking for bookkeeping that goes beyond the basics?
Maxim Liberty provides full-service bookkeeping with dedicated teams, industry expertise, and support for every major accounting platform — backed by 20+ years of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does RemoteBooks Online offer?
RemoteBooks Online provides monthly transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting (P&L and balance sheet) with CPA review. Payroll processing and sales tax filing are available as paid add-ons. The service does not include accounts payable management, accounts receivable management, or year-end tax preparation.
How much does RemoteBooks Online cost?
RemoteBooks Online charges $150 per account per month, with each additional connected bank or credit card account costing $25 per month. A business with 4 connected accounts would pay approximately $225/mo. Catch-up bookkeeping and payroll are priced separately.
Is RemoteBooks Online suitable for my industry?
RemoteBooks Online serves general small businesses but does not offer industry-specific bookkeeping. If your business has specialized needs — such as construction job costing, restaurant inventory tracking, or nonprofit fund accounting — a provider with industry expertise like Maxim Liberty (25+ industries served) may be a better fit.
What are the pros and cons of RemoteBooks Online?
Pros include affordable single-account pricing ($150/mo), no software lock-in (works with your QBO or Xero), dedicated bookkeeper assignments, and BBB accreditation. Cons include per-account fees that add up with multiple accounts, limited service scope (no AP/AR, no tax filing), basic reporting, and customer reports of chart-of-accounts modifications without authorization.
How does RemoteBooks Online compare to other bookkeeping services?
RemoteBooks Online is competitive on entry pricing for single-account businesses but falls behind full-service providers on scope. Unlike Maxim Liberty, it does not offer accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, sales tax filing, industry specialization, or CPA firm white-label support. For a comprehensive comparison of 12 providers, see our best bookkeeping services guide.