How much does accountant cost in United Kingdom?
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Key takeaways
- Most accountant jobs in United Kingdom land between £100–£2,500 — known locally as accountant / chartered accountant.
- The term 'accountant' is unregulated in the UK, so verify membership of ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or AAT. All accountants must be supervised for anti-money-laundering (by a professional body or HMRC). Making Tax Digital now requires compatible software for VAT and, increasingly, income tax.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Accountant prices by job size in United Kingdom
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole-trader self-assessment Annual Self Assessment tax return for a sole trader | £150 | £350 | £600 |
| Ltd company year-end + Corporation Tax Statutory accounts, CT600 and Companies House filing | £700 | £1,200 | £2,500 |
| Monthly bookkeeping + payroll (per month) Ongoing books, VAT and payroll retainer | £100 | £250 | £500 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | £50 | £90 | £150 |
| monthly package | £100 | £250 | £500 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in United Kingdom typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a accountant pro in United Kingdom
- Confirm membership of a recognised body: ICAEW (ACA), ACCA, CIMA or AAT
- Check they are AML-supervised (a legal requirement for accountants)
- Confirm they're registered as your HMRC agent and MTD-ready
- Agree scope: annual accounts, Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll, self-assessment
- Get a written engagement letter and fixed-fee quote
- Ask whether Companies House filing is included
Red flags
- No professional-body membership or AML supervision
- Won't confirm HMRC agent registration
- Vague one-line quote with no engagement letter
- Encourages undeclared cash income
- Promises tax 'schemes' that sound too good to be true
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to GBP, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Unbiased UK accountant cost guide 2025; UK chartered-firm published fee ranges 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records transactions, reconciles accounts and runs payroll. An accountant prepares statutory accounts, files tax, and advises on structure and planning. Small firms often use a bookkeeper monthly and an accountant annually.
Do I need an accountant or can I just use software?
Software (Xero, QuickBooks) handles day-to-day bookkeeping well, but an accountant adds value at year-end for tax filing, compliance and planning. Many businesses run software themselves and pay an accountant only for the annual accounts and tax return.
How much does an accountant cost for a small business?
Most accountants now price by fixed monthly package rather than the hour. A sole trader's annual return is a modest one-off fee; a small limited company's year-end accounts plus tax filing is a mid three- to four-figure annual cost; ongoing bookkeeping and payroll add a monthly retainer on top.
What should an accountant's engagement letter cover?
Scope (exactly which filings and services are included), fees and how they're billed, deadlines and your responsibilities for providing records, and what falls outside the fee. A one-line quote with no engagement letter is a red flag.
Can an accountant help me pay less tax legally?
Yes — legitimate planning around business structure, allowable expenses, pension contributions, timing of income, and available reliefs is core work. Be wary of anyone promoting aggressive 'schemes'; if it sounds too good, it usually attracts penalties later.
What does a small-business accountant cost in the UK?
A sole trader's self-assessment runs £150-600; a small limited company's year-end accounts and Corporation Tax typically £700-2,000 a year. Monthly all-in packages with bookkeeping start around £100-500 depending on transaction volume.
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