Key takeaways
- Published fixed fees for online accountants start at about £24.50 a month for sole traders and £39.50 a month for limited companies, excluding VAT, on providers' pages checked 6 November 2026.
- The Accountancy Partnership prices by turnover: a limited company with up to £20,000 turnover pays £39.50 a month, rising to £54.50 between £20,001 and £90,000.
- Clever Accounts' Ltd Complete package costs £104.50 a month plus VAT and includes year-end accounts, the CT600, quarterly VAT returns and director payroll.
- Caroola, formerly SJD Accountancy, lists £28 a month for sole traders and £89 for limited companies, plus VAT, for the first 12 months.
- Mazuma's sole trader packages run from £38 to £60 a month plus VAT, all including bookkeeping, year-end accounts and one self assessment return.
- Crunch and Gorilla Accounting do not show package prices on their pages and give fees through an instant quote.
- Add-ons such as VAT returns, payroll and directors' self assessment returns can double a headline fee, so compare the full quote.
Online accountants charge a fixed monthly fee instead of an hourly rate. Published prices on 6 November 2026 started at £24.50 a month for a sole trader and £39.50 a month for a small limited company, excluding VAT. What the fee covers varies widely, so compare the package contents, not just the headline price. This page lists providers alphabetically and does not rank them.
What is a fixed-fee online accountant?
A fixed-fee online accountant does your accounts and tax returns for a set monthly fee, working mostly by phone, email, video and cloud software. You usually get a named accountant, bookkeeping software and reminders of deadlines.
The fee normally covers the year-end work, such as annual accounts and tax returns. Extra services, such as VAT returns or payroll, are often add-ons. If you are not sure you want an online firm, read online vs high street accountants.
Published monthly fees
All prices are the lowest standard package each provider publishes, excluding VAT, taken from their own pages on 6 November 2026.
| Provider | Sole trader from | Limited company from |
|---|---|---|
| The Accountancy Partnership | £24.50 | £39.50 |
| Caroola (formerly SJD) | £28 | £89 |
| Clever Accounts | £42.50 | £104.50 |
| Crunch | Quote | Quote |
| Gorilla Accounting | Quote | Quote |
| Mazuma | £38 | Not shown |
Providers are listed alphabetically by name, ignoring “The”. Caroola’s prices apply for the first 12 months; its page does not say what you pay after that.
What each provider includes
The Accountancy Partnership. Prices depend on turnover. A limited company pays £39.50 a month up to £20,000 turnover, £54.50 up to £90,000 and £74.50 up to £200,000. Packages include annual accounts, tax returns, the confirmation statement and Pandle software. For companies, self assessment is £10 a month for up to two directors, VAT returns £35 a month and MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates £35 a month.
Caroola. Caroola, formerly SJD Accountancy, serves contractors and freelancers. Its page lists £28 a month for sole traders and £89 for limited companies, plus VAT, for the first 12 months, with a 30-day notice period.
Clever Accounts. Clever Accounts charges £42.50 a month for sole traders and £104.50 for Ltd Complete, with 50% off the first three months on company plans. Ltd Complete includes year-end accounts, the CT600, quarterly VAT returns, director payroll, the confirmation statement and FreeAgent. There is no minimum contract.
Crunch. Crunch’s pricing page gives fees through an instant quote. Its listed add-ons include employee payroll at £20 a month for up to five employees and a registered office address at £8 a month, both plus VAT. Year-end accounts for limited companies appear as an annual add-on.
Gorilla Accounting. Gorilla gives fees by instant quote or phone on 0330 107 9678. Its limited company package lists Corporation Tax returns, quarterly VAT returns, payroll for up to two employees, P11Ds, one self assessment return and FreeAgent. Incorporation is £100 plus VAT.
Mazuma. Mazuma’s sole trader packages cost £38, £45, £52 and £60 a month plus VAT, based on transactions and turnaround. All include monthly bookkeeping, year-end accounts and one SA100 return. VAT returns are a £20 extra. Its page did not show limited company prices.
Which applies to you?
- If your turnover is low, turnover-banded pricing, as used by The Accountancy Partnership, may cost less.
- If you are VAT-registered, check whether VAT returns are included or charged monthly.
- If you are a director taking a salary, check that director payroll and your own self assessment return are covered.
- If you have staff, price payroll per employee.
- If you are a contractor, ask about IR35 reviews, which some packages include.
- If you bank with NatWest, RBS or Mettle, check whether you already get FreeAgent free.
Checklist before you sign up
- Get a written quote for your turnover, VAT status and number of directors.
- List what is excluded, such as self assessment for extra directors or catch-up work.
- Check the notice period and any minimum term.
- Confirm the accountant’s qualification using ICAEW’s member search or the relevant body’s register.
- Ask how they will take over from your current accountant.
For typical fees across all accountants, see how much an accountant costs. If you only need bookkeeping, see how much a bookkeeper costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online accountant cost for a limited company?
Published prices on 6 November 2026 started at £39.50 a month plus VAT for a company with turnover up to £20,000. Clever Accounts’ Ltd Complete, which includes quarterly VAT returns and director payroll, is £104.50 a month plus VAT.
Do online accountant prices include VAT?
No. The providers listed quote prices excluding VAT, so add 20% unless your business can reclaim it.
Is self assessment included for directors?
It depends on the provider. Gorilla includes one return; The Accountancy Partnership charges £10 a month for up to two directors.
Why do Crunch and Gorilla not show prices?
Both give fees through an instant quote based on your business details. Request a quote and compare it line by line with published packages.
Can I leave an online accountant at any time?
Most have short notice periods. Clever Accounts says there is no minimum contract, and Caroola lists a 30-day notice period.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.