One of the first questions every business owner asks is: how much does an accountant actually cost? The honest answer is that it depends on your business — but this guide gives you realistic UK figures for 2026 so you know what to expect.
Typical accountant costs in the UK
As a rough guide, monthly accounting fees usually fall into these ranges:
- Sole traders: around £30–£100 per month, depending on turnover and whether you need bookkeeping.
- Limited companies: around £100–£300+ per month, covering year-end accounts, corporation tax, payroll and VAT.
- One-off self assessment tax return: often £150–£350 if you just need a return filed.
Most modern accountants (including us) work on a fixed monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills, so you can budget with confidence.
What affects the price?
- Your business type and turnover
- Whether you're VAT registered
- Payroll and how many employees you have
- How much bookkeeping you need done for you
- Whether you want proactive advice or just compliance
Cheapest isn't always best value
A cheap accountant who only files your return once a year can cost you far more in missed savings and stress than a proactive one who helps you plan. The real question isn't 'what's the cheapest?' — it's 'what will this accountant save me, and how much time will they give me back?'
You can see exactly what we include at each level on our packages page, or learn about our all-in-one Virtual Finance Department.
Need a hand with this?
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