Accountancy pricing guide 2026
Updated July 2026
Knowing what accountants actually charge makes it easier to budget — and to spot a quote that’s out of line. This guide sets out typical UK fees by service, the pricing models firms use, and what pushes the cost up or down.
Typical spend
£75 – £500 per month
Sole traders £50–£100 · small limited companies £100–£250 · VAT-registered businesses £150–£400+. A one-off self assessment return is usually £150–£400.
Accountancy services & rates
Cost depends mostly on which services you need. This table covers what UK firms typically charge for each.
| Service | What it covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | Recording day-to-day financial data — invoicing, bank reconciliation, expenses. | £25 – £50 / hr |
| Payroll processing | Running payroll, calculating wages, filing RTI and handling deductions. | £5 – £15 / employee / mo |
| Self assessment | Preparing and filing a personal tax return with HMRC. | £150 – £400 / return |
| Annual accounts & corporation tax | Statutory accounts plus the CT600 return for a limited company. | £600 – £1,800 / yr |
| VAT returns | Quarterly VAT preparation and Making Tax Digital filing. | £50 – £150 / quarter |
| Management accounts | Monthly or quarterly internal reporting used to run the business. | £150 – £500 / mo |
| Audit | Independent statutory examination of a company’s financial statements. | £4,000 – £15,000+ / yr |
| Tax consulting | Advice on tax planning, structuring and reliefs beyond compliance work. | £100 – £250 / hr |
| Forensic accounting | Investigating financial records as evidence — fraud, disputes, valuations. | £150 – £350 / hr |
| Insolvency | Advising and administering companies in financial difficulty. | £200 – £400 / hr |
| Trusts & estates | Accounting and tax for trusts, estates and probate. | £150 – £300 / hr |
| Charity & non-profit | Charity SORP accounts, independent examination and reporting. | £800 – £3,000 / yr |
| R&D tax credits | Preparing and submitting research and development tax relief claims. | 15 – 25% of claim |
| CIS returns | Construction Industry Scheme returns and subcontractor verification. | £25 – £75 / mo |
| Company formation | Incorporating a limited company and registering with HMRC. | £50 – £200 one-off |
| Fractional finance director | Part-time senior finance leadership, typically a day or two a month. | £400 – £900 / day |
How much should it cost to hire an accountant?
For ongoing work, most UK small businesses land between £75 and £500 a month. For hourly work, expect £25–£50 for bookkeeping and £100–£250 for qualified tax and advisory time. A good firm gives you a fixed quote once it knows your turnover, records and deadlines — if a quote is open-ended, ask for a cap.
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Accountancy pricing models
Hourly billing
You pay for time spent. Fine for ad-hoc jobs, but the final bill is unpredictable.
Fixed fee
The most common UK model — an agreed monthly or annual price for a defined scope.
Value-based
Priced on the value delivered rather than hours, typically for advisory and tax planning.
What impacts the cost
- Expertise
- A chartered firm (ICAEW/ACCA) charges more than an unqualified bookkeeper — and is regulated.
- Type of support
- Ongoing monthly support costs more overall than a one-off return, but less per hour.
- Accounting software
- Firms often bundle a Xero or QuickBooks licence into the fee, or discount if you have one.
- Services
- Each bolt-on — payroll, VAT, management accounts — adds to the monthly figure.
- Business size
- More transactions, more employees and higher turnover all push the fee up.
- Location
- Central London practices typically charge 20–30% more than the rest of the UK.
Accounting software costs
Most firms work in cloud software, and the licence is either bundled into your fee or billed separately.
| Software | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Xero | The most widely supported cloud package among UK accountants. | £15 – £59 / mo |
| QuickBooks | Popular with sole traders and small limited companies. | £10 – £47 / mo |
| Sage Business Cloud | Long-established, common in larger SMEs. | £15 – £59 / mo |
| FreeAgent | Free with a NatWest, RBS or Mettle business account. | £0 – £33 / mo |
| FreshBooks | Invoicing-led, suits freelancers and contractors. | £12 – £30 / mo |
| Wave | Free core accounting; you pay only for payments and payroll. | Free – £16 / mo |
2026 accountancy pricing by location
Typical monthly fees for a small limited company, by city.
| City | Typical monthly fee | Compare firms |
|---|---|---|
| London | £150 – £400+ | Accountants in London → |
| Manchester | £100 – £250 | Accountants in Manchester → |
| Birmingham | £95 – £240 | Accountants in Birmingham → |
| Leeds | £90 – £230 | Accountants in Leeds → |
| Bristol | £100 – £250 | Accountants in Bristol → |
| Glasgow | £85 – £220 | Accountants in Glasgow → |
| Edinburgh | £95 – £240 | Accountants in Edinburgh → |
| Liverpool | £85 – £215 | Accountants in Liverpool → |
| Cardiff | £85 – £220 | Accountants in Cardiff → |
| Belfast | £80 – £210 | Accountants in Belfast → |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost per month in the UK?
Most small businesses pay between £75 and £500 a month in 2026. Sole traders typically pay £50–£100, small limited companies £100–£250, and VAT-registered businesses £150–£400 or more.
How much does an accountant charge for a self assessment tax return?
Typically £150 to £400 plus VAT. A straightforward employed return sits at the lower end; self-employment, rental income, dividends or foreign earnings push it higher.
Is it cheaper to use an online accountant?
Usually — online accountants tend to charge 20–40% less than traditional high-street firms because more of the process is automated. You give up some face-to-face contact.
Do accountants charge hourly or a fixed fee?
Most UK accountants now quote a fixed monthly or annual fee. Hourly billing is mainly used for ad-hoc work, bookkeeping and advisory.
Are accountancy fees tax deductible?
Fees for business accounts, bookkeeping, payroll and VAT are normally an allowable business expense. Preparing a personal self assessment return generally is not.
Figures are typical UK market ranges for 2026, compiled from published firm fee schedules and industry guides. They are a guide only — every firm prices differently. We refine these ranges as fee data from listed firms comes in.
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