How Much Does an Accountant Cost?

Q: Why do some accountants charge by the hour instead of fixed fee?

Usually because it's more profitable for them when you don't know what's coming. Fixed fees shift the risk — if your query takes twice as long as expected, we eat the extra, not you. That's the point.

Q: What should be included in a monthly fee?

Everything that's part of running your business normally: accounts, tax return, bookkeeping support, payroll (if any), VAT (if registered), Xero, unlimited phone calls, HMRC correspondence and quarterly check-ins. Anything labelled 'extra' should be genuinely extra — specialist tax advice, R&D claims, major projects.

Q: Is a cheap accountant worth it?

Usually not. At the bottom end (£25-30/month), corners get cut — returns are rushed, queries get batched, nobody spots planning opportunities. You often save more than you spend by going to someone competent.

Accountant cost

A straight answer on accountant fees.

Most accountancy websites tiptoe around the question of cost. They'll tell you their 'approach is bespoke' and 'every client is different'. Fine — but as a business owner, you want a ballpark. So here it is.

In the UK, a decent small-business accountant on a fixed monthly fee typically costs between £45 and £250 per month, depending on your business structure, size and complexity. Anything below that range usually means corners are getting cut. Anything above it usually means you're paying for something you don't need.

What you should expect to pay

Typical UK fees by business type.

Everything is included in your fixed monthly fee. No extras, no surprises.

Sole trader, <£50k turnover

£45-£75/month. Covers self assessment, bookkeeping support, MTD ITSA from 2026.

Sole trader, £50k-£200k

£75-£120/month. Plus VAT if registered, plus quarterly check-ins.

Limited company, <£150k

£95-£150/month. Full service: accounts, CT, confirmation statement, director payroll, Xero.

Limited company, £150k-£500k

£150-£250/month. Plus management accounts, quarterly reviews, more proactive planning.

Limited company, £500k+

£250+/month. Bespoke quote depending on staff numbers, VAT complexity and reporting needs.

Start-ups (pre-trading)

£45-£95/month. Full incorporation and setup included free.

Sound familiar?

Most businesses don't have an accountant.
They have a filing service.

If any of these ring true, you're not getting what you should be.

01

You only hear from them at year-end

No check-ins, no planning, no conversation. Just a bill and a set of accounts you don't fully understand.

02

You're never sure where you stand

Your numbers are months out of date. You're making decisions based on gut feel, not real figures.

03

Surprise invoices keep landing

An email here, a phone call there — and suddenly your bill is twice what you expected. No one told you.

Common questions

Things people ask us.

Why do some accountants charge by the hour instead of fixed fee?

Usually because it's more profitable for them when you don't know what's coming. Fixed fees shift the risk — if your query takes twice as long as expected, we eat the extra, not you. That's the point.

What should be included in a monthly fee?

Everything that's part of running your business normally: accounts, tax return, bookkeeping support, payroll (if any), VAT (if registered), Xero, unlimited phone calls, HMRC correspondence and quarterly check-ins. Anything labelled 'extra' should be genuinely extra — specialist tax advice, R&D claims, major projects.

Is a cheap accountant worth it?

Usually not. At the bottom end (£25-30/month), corners get cut — returns are rushed, queries get batched, nobody spots planning opportunities. You often save more than you spend by going to someone competent.

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