If you run a small business, sooner or later you'll ask yourself: do I actually need an accountant? Legally, in most cases, no — you can file your own tax return. But whether you should is a different question. Here's an honest look at when an accountant is worth it.
When you probably don't need one (yet)
If you're a brand-new sole trader with very simple finances — a handful of invoices, no employees, well under the VAT threshold — you can often manage your own self assessment for the first year or two, especially with cloud software helping you.
When an accountant is genuinely worth it
- You've become a limited company — company accounts, corporation tax and Companies House filings are far more involved (see sole trader vs limited company).
- You're VAT registered or approaching the VAT threshold.
- You've taken on staff or subcontractors and need payroll or CIS.
- You're spending hours on admin instead of running your business.
- You suspect you're paying too much tax and missing allowances.
It's not just about filing — it's about saving
The real value of a good accountant isn't the tax return itself; it's the money and time they save you. A proactive accountant helps you claim every allowable expense, plan ahead for tax, avoid penalties, and give you back the hours you'd otherwise lose to admin. For many owners, that pays for the fee several times over.
Not sure where you sit? We offer a free, no-obligation chat to help you work out whether you need an accountant at all — even if the answer is 'not yet.' You can also see what an accountant typically costs.
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