Quick answer: Published 2026 price guides put a one-off Self Assessment tax return at roughly £150 to £400, a monthly sole trader package at about £30 to £150 a month, and a small limited company at roughly £80 to £300 a month. VAT, payroll, bookkeeping and Making Tax Digital push the price up. The fee you’ll actually pay depends on what’s included and how tidy your records are.
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In this guide
- How much does an accountant cost in the UK?
- What makes an accountant cost more or less?
- What should a fixed fee include?
- Fixed fee, hourly or one-off: which is better?
- Is an accountant worth the money?
- How do I compare quotes?
How much does an accountant cost in the UK?
We looked at the price guides UK accountancy firms and comparison sites published in 2026. The ranges vary from source to source, but they cluster around these figures:
| What you need | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| One-off Self Assessment tax return | £150 to £400 a year |
| Sole trader, monthly package (accounts, tax return, support) | £30 to £150 a month |
| Landlord with one or a few properties | Similar to a simple sole trader |
| Small limited company, compliance only | £80 to £200 a month |
| Limited company with bookkeeping, VAT and payroll | £200 to £500 a month |
| Ad hoc work charged by the hour | £75 to £200 an hour |
London and specialist firms tend to charge more. Very cheap online packages often cover the filing only, with you doing all the bookkeeping and little or no access to a named person.
What makes an accountant cost more or less?
Fees follow the time your accountant spends, so the same few things drive almost every quote:
- Business structure. A limited company has more filings than a sole trader: annual accounts, a Corporation Tax return, a confirmation statement and usually payroll and a director’s tax return.
- Number of transactions. Fifty sales a month takes less time than five hundred.
- Who does the bookkeeping. If you keep your records up to date in software, the fee drops. If your accountant has to sort a carrier bag of receipts, it rises.
- VAT. Quarterly VAT returns add work and cost.
- Payroll. Usually priced per employee per month.
- Making Tax Digital. Sole traders and landlords with gross income over £50,000 now send quarterly updates, and those over £30,000 join from April 2027. Here’s what that involves.
- Extra income sources. Rental property, capital gains or foreign income add to a tax return.
- The state of your records. Catching up missed years always costs more than keeping on top of them.
Messy records? Behind on returns?
We’ll tell you exactly what it will take to get straight and give you one fixed price for it, with no judgement. We work online with people anywhere in the UK.
What should a fixed fee include?
A good monthly package for a sole trader or small company should cover, as a minimum:
- your year-end accounts and tax returns (Self Assessment, and Corporation Tax for a company)
- Companies House filings, if you’re a company
- Making Tax Digital quarterly updates, if they apply to you
- reminders before every deadline
- help with HMRC letters
- reasonable phone and email questions without the clock running
- a named person who knows your business
Then check what costs extra: bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, catch-up work, HMRC enquiries, and switching from your old accountant.
Fixed fee, hourly or one-off: which is better?
Fixed monthly fee. You know the cost up front, it’s spread through the year, and you can ask questions without worrying about the bill. Best for most small businesses.
Hourly. Fair for genuinely occasional jobs, but it discourages you from asking for help, and the final bill is hard to predict.
One-off annual fee. Works for a simple tax return if you’re organised. The downside is that you tend to hear from your accountant once a year, usually in January.
Is an accountant worth the money?
It depends on your situation, and you don’t legally need one. An accountant tends to pay for themselves when:
- you’d otherwise miss allowable expenses, or aren’t sure what you can claim
- a late return or a mistake would cost you penalties and interest
- your time is worth more spent on paid work than on bookkeeping
- you’re facing a decision with real tax consequences, such as going limited or taking on a property
- you’ve just joined Making Tax Digital and don’t want four extra deadlines to worry about
Accountancy fees for your business are also generally an allowable expense, which reduces the real cost.
If you’re a sole trader with one income stream, simple expenses and the confidence to do it yourself, you may not need one. That’s a fair choice.
How do I compare quotes?
Ask every accountant the same questions so you’re comparing like with like:
- Exactly what’s included in the fee, and what costs extra?
- Is the price fixed for the year, or can it change?
- Can I call or email with questions without being charged?
- Who will actually do my work, and will it be the same person each time?
- Are you qualified and supervised by a professional body? (Look for AAT, ACCA, ICAEW or similar.)
- How do you handle Making Tax Digital and deadline reminders?
- Will you handle the switch from my current accountant?
How we can help
We give every client a fixed price agreed before we start, so the fee never surprises you. It covers what you actually need, from bookkeeping and VAT to payroll and Making Tax Digital, and you can spread it over 12 monthly instalments. You’ll have a dedicated accountant who gets to know your business, and if you’re switching, we contact your old accountant and handle the handover. We’re AAT licensed and Xero partners, and we work online with clients right across the UK. See our prices and services.
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Frequently asked questions
Are accountancy fees tax deductible? Fees for your business accounts and business tax returns are generally an allowable business expense, so they reduce your taxable profit. Fees for purely personal tax matters usually aren’t.
Do I legally need an accountant? No. You can keep your own records and file your own returns. Many people use an accountant because the time saved, the expenses they’d otherwise miss and the reduced risk of penalties outweigh the fee.
Does it matter where my accountant is based? Not any more. With cloud software, bank feeds and video calls, an accountant can look after you wherever you are in the UK. Choose on service, expertise and price rather than postcode.
Can I switch accountant part way through the year? Yes. Your new accountant asks your old one for the information they need, called professional clearance, and picks up from there. You don’t need to wait for your year end.
Why do quotes vary so much? Mainly because they include different things. One quote may cover only the year-end return, while another includes bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, Making Tax Digital updates and unlimited advice. Compare what’s included, not just the headline price.
This guide is general information based on the rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked on 1 October 2026. It isn’t personal advice. Tax rules change and your situation may differ, so speak to us before acting on it.
Sources
Price ranges are drawn from 2026 fee guides published by UK accountancy firms and comparison sites, including:
