How Much Does An Accountant Cost Per Month UK | 2026

If you have ever typed how much does an accountant cost per month uk into Google late at night, you are not alone. Every sole trader, freelancer, and small business owner reaches this point. You want someone reliable to handle your books, but you do not want a surprise bill landing in your inbox three months later.

The truth is that accountant fees vary a lot, and most firms make it hard to find a straight answer. This guide breaks the numbers down honestly, section by section, so you know what a fair monthly rate looks like before you speak to anyone.

How Much Does An Accountant Cost Per Month UK Right Now

There is no single number that fits every business, but there are clear patterns. Your accountant cost depends mostly on your business structure, how many transactions you have each month, and whether you need payroll or VAT support on top of the basics.

Here is a realistic snapshot of monthly pricing across the UK market in 2026:

• Sole traders with simple income: £40 to £100 per month
• Small limited companies with one director and no staff: £80 to £250 per month
• Growing businesses with payroll and VAT: £200 to £450 per month
• Businesses needing management accounts and advisory support: £400 to £800 or more per month

If a firm quotes you far below these ranges for a VAT-registered limited company, ask exactly what is included. A £40 monthly fee rarely covers real bookkeeping, tax filing, and phone support all at once.

How Much Is An Accountant For A Sole Trader

Sole traders have the simplest setup, so how much is an accountant for this group tends to sit at the lower end of the market. A basic package usually covers your Self Assessment tax return, expense tracking, and a bit of tax guidance through the year.

Most sole traders pay between £40 and £100 a month for ongoing support, or between £150 and £350 as a one-off fee if they only need their tax return filed once a year. The monthly route works better for most people because it spreads the cost and gives you someone to call whenever a question comes up, not just once a year.

Watch out for these things that affect your price:

• Turnover above £50,000 usually means a higher fee, since more income means more transactions to check
• Multiple income sources, such as rental property or a side business, add complexity
• From April 2026, sole traders earning over £50,000 must file quarterly under Making Tax Digital, which increases the workload and often the price

Accountant Fees UK For Limited Companies

Limited company owners have more to manage, so accountant fees uk for this group are naturally higher. A director has to think about Annual Accounts, a Corporation Tax return, a confirmation statement for Companies House, and often their own personal tax return as well.

For a single-director limited company with no staff, expect to pay between £80 and £250 a month for a full compliance package.

 This should cover:

• Preparation and filing of your annual accounts
• Corporation Tax return preparation (CT600)
• Companies House confirmation statement
• Director payroll, if you take a salary
• Your personal Self Assessment as director

Add VAT returns and the fee typically rises by £30 to £60 a month. Add payroll for employees and you can expect another £5 to £15 per payslip, with a small standing charge on top. A business handling all of this together, with a small business accountant cost that reflects real support rather than bare-minimum filing, usually lands between £200 and £450 a month.

Extra Reading: Holding Company Advantages and Disadvantages

What Should Be Included In A Fixed Monthly Fee

A fixed fee accountant should tell you upfront, in writing, exactly what your money covers. This is one of the biggest sources of frustration people share when comparing quotes. Two firms can charge the same £150 a month, but one includes VAT and bookkeeping while the other charges those as extras.

A solid monthly package should include:

• Regular bookkeeping so your records stay current, not just tidied up once a year
• VAT Returns filed correctly and on time under Making Tax Digital rules
• Annual accounts and Corporation Tax handled without extra charges
• Access to cloud software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent
• A real person you can call or email with questions, not a support ticket queue

If your accountant charges separately for the software licence, or for basic email replies, that monthly figure is not the full picture. Ask for the complete scope before you sign anything.

Monthly Accounting Packages Versus Paying By The Hour

There are two common ways accountants charge: monthly accounting packages or hourly billing. Each has trade-offs worth knowing before you choose.

Monthly packages

 Give you predictable budgeting. You know the exact amount leaving your account every month, and because you are already paying, you are more likely to actually call your accountant when something comes up instead of avoiding the phone to save money.

Hourly billing

 Can work for a single, small task, like a one-off tax question. But it is hard to plan around, and a five minute call can end up costing you £20 or more depending on the accountant’s rate, which typically runs from £75 to £250 an hour for a qualified professional.

For most people running a limited company or working as a sole trader with growing income, a fixed monthly fee tends to work out better and removes the stress of guessing what the next invoice will look like.

Extra Reading: How to Pay Yourself from a Limited Company

Factors That Push Your Accountant Cost Up Or Down

A few practical things explain almost all of the price difference between two similar businesses.

Transaction volume

 More sales, more expenses, more bank transactions means more time spent reconciling your books. A consultant invoicing twice a month is far cheaper to manage than a shop with hundreds of daily card payments.

Business location

 Firms in London and the South East often charge 20 to 30 percent more than regional or online accountant UK firms. Since most accounting work happens remotely now, choosing an online firm can save you real money without losing quality.

Qualifications

 A chartered accountant or one holding ACCA or ACA status has trained for years and carries professional indemnity insurance. They can represent you directly with HMRC and give proper tax advice, something an unqualified bookkeeper legally cannot do.

Payroll and VAT needs

 Running payroll for staff, managing CIS Tax for construction subcontractors, or filing quarterly VAT all add to the base fee, but they also reduce the risk of costly mistakes.

Why Paying For A Good Accountant Usually Pays For Itself

A good accountant often saves you more than they charge. They help you claim the right Business Expenses, avoid costly HMRC penalties, meet tax deadlines, and spot opportunities to reduce your tax bill. They also save valuable time, so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing paperwork.

Fa Accountants supports Sole Traders, Limited Company directors, freelancers, and small businesses with transparent Fixed Monthly Fee pricing. Whether you need Bookkeeping, VAT Returns, Payroll Services, Annual Accounts, or tax advice, you know exactly what is included with no hidden charges.

Final Thoughts 

Choosing an accountant should not feel like solving a puzzle. The clearest path forward is to write down exactly what you need, whether that is a simple tax return or full monthly bookkeeping with payroll and VAT, and then get quotes from a few firms on that same basis. A fair monthly fee reflects real work, honest scope, and a person who actually picks up the phone when you call.

If you are still unsure what a reasonable price looks like for your specific situation, contact us now. We will walk through your numbers with you and give you a straightforward, fixed monthly quote with nothing hidden in the small print, so you can make a confident decision and get back to running your business.