How to Assign Read-Only Billing Access to GCP


Grant Read-Only Access to Your GCP Billing Data

This guide will help you assign the Billing Account Viewer role, which grants read-only access to your GCP billing data.

 

This is required if you want to allow tools like Namirasoft Bill Watch to access billing data without modifying anything.




Step 1: Sign In to Google Cloud Console


 

  • Sign in using your Google Cloud account




Step 2: Open the Billing Section


  • Click Menu (☰) in the top-left corner

 

  • Select Billing




Step 3: Select the Billing Account


  • If you have more than one billing account, select the billing account linked to your project

 

  • Make sure this is the account that actually receives the charges




Step 4: Open Billing IAM Settings


  • In the Billing menu, click Account management

 

  • Select IAM




Step 5: Add the Service Account


  • Click Add principal

 

  • In the New principals field, enter the service account email




Step 6: Assign the Billing Account Viewer Role


  • In the Role dropdown, select:
    Billing → Billing Account Viewer

 

  • This role allows:

 

    • Viewing billing data

 

    • Reading cost and usage information

 

    • Accessing billing reports

 

      • ❌ No ability to change billing or resources




Step 7: Save and Confirm


  • Click Save

 

  • Verify that the service account appears in the list with the Billing Account Viewer role