Accountant fees vary considerably across the UK, and understanding what drives those differences will help you budget accurately and avoid paying over the odds. Whether you're a sole trader needing a straightforward self-assessment return or a limited company director requiring a full annual accounts package, this guide sets out typical costs for 2025/26 and explains what you should expect for your money.
What affects accountant fees?
No two accountants charge the same rate, and several factors push fees up or down.
Qualifications and professional body membership. Accountants who hold qualifications from ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), or CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) typically charge more than those holding an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification. Unqualified bookkeepers who also offer tax services generally sit at the lower end of the market. Chartered accountants command a premium, but they are also regulated by their professional body and required to hold professional indemnity insurance, which provides you with a layer of protection.
Location. London-based firms routinely charge 30 to 50 per cent more than their regional counterparts for identical work. A self-assessment return that costs £200 in the Midlands or the North could easily cost £350 or more in central London. That said, with cloud accounting now mainstream, there is little reason to restrict your search to a local firm unless you strongly prefer in-person meetings.
Complexity of your finances. A straightforward employed income plus small freelance earnings is much quicker to process than a return involving rental income, overseas assets, share options, capital gains, and pension contributions. The more complicated your affairs, the more time an accountant will spend, and that is reflected in the fee.
How often you need help. One-off engagements tend to cost more per hour than ongoing retained relationships. Accountants offer better rates to clients who commit to a monthly package because it gives them predictable, recurring revenue. If you only contact your accountant once a year at January, expect to pay a higher effective hourly rate than a client who is on a monthly retainer.
Typical accountant costs by service type
The table below gives a realistic guide to UK market rates for 2025/26. Prices are exclusive of VAT unless stated. Lower figures typically apply to simple cases with straightforward finances handled by a regional firm; higher figures reflect complex cases or London-based practitioners.
| Service | Typical fee range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Self-assessment tax return (simple) | £150–£300 | Employed income, minor self-employment, no property |
| Self-assessment tax return (complex) | £300–£500+ | Rental income, capital gains, foreign income, share options |
| Sole trader accounts + self-assessment | £400–£800/year | Profit and loss, tax return, basic bookkeeping review |
| Limited company accounts + CT600 + self-assessment | £1,000–£2,500/year | Statutory accounts, corporation tax return, director's personal return |
| VAT returns | £100–£250 per quarter | Based on volume of transactions; MTD-compliant filing included |
| Payroll (per employee) | £5–£15 per employee/month | RTI submissions, payslips, auto-enrolment administration |
| Bookkeeping | £100–£400/month | Depends on transaction volume and software used |
| Tax planning and advisory | £100–£300/hour | Bespoke advice; complex restructuring at higher end |
For a small limited company with, say, one director-shareholder, straightforward trading income, quarterly VAT, and a modest payroll for one employee, total annual costs can easily reach £2,000 to £3,500 once all services are combined. This is why bundled monthly packages, described below, are often better value than paying for each service separately.
Hourly rate vs fixed fee — which is better?
Historically, many accountants billed by the hour, but fixed-fee and monthly package pricing has become the norm for small business clients over the past decade. Understanding both models helps you compare quotes fairly.
Hourly rates. Outside London, expect to pay £50 to £150 per hour for most compliance work, rising to £150 to £250 per hour in London or for specialist tax advisory work. Hourly billing can work in your favour for quick, simple jobs, but it creates uncertainty: you won't know the final bill until the work is done, and there is an inherent incentive for the accountant to take more time.
Fixed fees. A quoted fixed fee removes that uncertainty. You know exactly what you will pay, which makes budgeting straightforward. Fixed fees also align the accountant's incentive with efficiency: once a job is priced, it is in their interest to complete it as promptly as possible. For routine compliance work such as annual accounts and tax returns, a fixed fee is almost always preferable for the client.
Monthly package pricing
Most modern accountancy firms now offer tiered monthly packages, particularly for sole traders and limited company directors. These bundle together the services most clients need and spread the cost evenly across the year.
£50–£100 per month typically covers a sole trader or micro-business with annual accounts, a self-assessment tax return, and basic email support. Do not expect proactive tax planning or quarterly calls at this price point.
£100–£200 per month is the sweet spot for many limited companies. At this level you would usually expect statutory accounts, a corporation tax return, a director's self-assessment return, quarterly VAT returns filed under Making Tax Digital, payroll for one or two employees, and a degree of ongoing advisory access.
£200 per month and above generally signals a more comprehensive service: proactive tax planning conversations, regular management accounts, R&D tax credit reviews, multi-employee payroll, and a named contact who responds within a defined timeframe. Firms at this level are often better suited to growing businesses or those with more complex financial arrangements.
What's included in a typical package?
Before you sign up to a monthly package, read the engagement letter carefully. There is considerable variation in what firms include as standard versus what they charge as extras.
Core services that should come as standard at most price points include statutory accounts preparation, corporation tax filing, a director's self-assessment return, and VAT returns where applicable. Services that are more commonly priced as add-ons include payroll beyond a threshold number of employees, bookkeeping catch-up, R&D tax credit claims, company secretarial filings (such as Confirmation Statements), and ad hoc advisory calls beyond a set number of hours per year.
Confirm in writing what is and is not included. An attractive headline monthly fee can quickly look less competitive once you start adding the extras you actually need.
How to get value for money
The cheapest accountant is rarely the best-value accountant. An inexperienced or overworked accountant who misses a legitimate deduction or files your return late can cost you far more in tax and penalties than you saved on the fee.
- Check qualifications. Look for ICAEW, ACCA, or CIMA membership. You can verify membership directly on each body's website. AAT-qualified accountants are also well trained for most small business compliance work.
- Read reviews. Google reviews, Trustpilot, and Yell all carry genuine client feedback. Look for comments about responsiveness and accuracy, not just friendliness.
- Ask about sector experience. An accountant who regularly works with freelancers, contractors, landlords, or your specific industry will understand the common deductions and pitfalls far better than a generalist who has never dealt with your type of business before.
- Compare at least three quotes. Prices vary significantly for identical work. Getting three quotes also gives you a sense of what is standard and what is unusual in the market.
- Clarify response times. A low fee is less attractive if your accountant takes three weeks to reply to a routine question. Ask how queries are handled and what the typical turnaround time is.
Ready to start your search? Search for an accountant near you using our directory of UK firms, searchable by location and specialism.
Is it worth paying for an accountant?
For most self-employed people and business owners, yes. The question is not really whether an accountant costs money; it is whether the value they provide exceeds their fee. For many clients, the answer is clearly yes for three reasons.
First, a good accountant will identify legitimate tax deductions and reliefs you may have missed, often saving you more in tax than the fee itself. Director salary and dividend structuring alone can be worth several hundred pounds a year in tax savings for a typical owner-managed company.
Second, HMRC compliance is non-trivial. Late filing penalties start at £100 and escalate quickly; errors can trigger investigations. Having a qualified accountant file on your behalf reduces that risk substantially.
Third, time has a value. Hours you spend wrestling with accounting software, chasing receipts, and trying to interpret HMRC guidance are hours you are not spending on the work that actually generates your income.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get an accountant to do your tax return?
For a straightforward self-assessment return covering employment income and perhaps some modest self-employment or savings income, most accountants charge between £150 and £300. If your return is more complex, for example involving property rental income, capital gains from investments or a business sale, share options, or overseas income, expect to pay £300 to £500 or more. Some London-based firms charge higher still for complex cases. If you are on a monthly package that already includes your self-assessment, there may be no additional charge at all.
Do accountants charge VAT on their fees?
Yes, if the accountancy firm is VAT registered (which most are, since the VAT threshold is £90,000 in 2025/26 and established firms will exceed this), they will add 20% VAT to their fees. This means a quoted fee of £1,500 will actually cost £1,800 if you are not VAT registered yourself. If your business is VAT registered, you can reclaim the input VAT, so the net cost to you is the pre-VAT fee. Always check whether quotes are shown inclusive or exclusive of VAT before comparing them.
Can I negotiate accountant fees?
Yes, it is entirely reasonable to negotiate, particularly if you are committing to an ongoing monthly arrangement rather than a one-off piece of work. Accountants, like most professional service businesses, value client retention and predictable recurring revenue. If you can offer a longer commitment, keep your records in good order (reducing the time they spend tidying up your bookkeeping), or bundle multiple services together, there is often room to agree a better rate. Getting competing quotes and being transparent about them is also a perfectly acceptable approach. What is less likely to succeed is simply asking for a discount without offering anything in return.