How Much Does An Accountant Cost For A Small Business In The UK

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Keeping on top of essential costs is paramount to running a successful small business, but at a time when the cost-of-living keeps rising, accurately monitoring expenses can be tough.

Small business accountants provide a range of services that can help business owners meet relevant compliance requirements and make more informed financial decisions.

From assistance with tax preparation to long-term bookkeeping, a good accountant can help to lessen core workloads.

Whether you’re just starting, planning to scale or wishing to simplify the management of an established business, this guide covers all you need to know about the cost of hiring a small business accountant in 2026, alongside best practices for choosing the right specialist.

How much does a small business accountant cost in 2026?

A few factors will influence the cost of hiring small business accountants in 2026, including the size of your business, the complexity of your finances and the scope of your needs.

For simple bookkeeping or tax preparation, the cost of hiring a small business accountant can be as little as £40-£50p/m, while more complex financial services can cost upwards of £500p/m.

To best demonstrate the cost of hiring a small business accountant, the table below offers general guidance on the cost of common accounting services for small businesses in 2026.

Service	Inclusions	Expected Cost
Monthly package services	Basic bookkeeping, payroll, year-end accounts and tax return	£65 – £500p/m
Bookkeeping	Transaction recording and reconciling accounts	£20 – £55p/h
Tax return	Self-assessment filing	£150 – £400
Year-end accounts	Preparation and submission of year-end accounts	£500 – £1500

 

What factors influence the cost of an accountant in the UK?

As no two businesses are identical, it can be difficult to determine the specific cost of hiring a business accountant for any given company.

That said, understanding the factors that inform accountancy costs can help you to get a general idea of how much you can expect to spend.

Some key factors that influence the cost of hiring an accountant include:

Financial complexity 

Higher volumes of transactions and complex tax situations involving multiple income streams command more bookkeeping time and larger fees.

Scope of services 

One-off services like self-assessment returns are less expensive than comprehensive packages that combine multiple core services for a monthly fee.

Quality of record keeping 

Businesses that keep well-organised records and use accounting software internally can save money on hourly external bookkeeping fees.

Experience and location

Chartered professionals and firms operating out of cities charge higher fees for specialised services and to account for greater overheads.

How to choose the right accountant for your small business

Choosing the right accountant for your small business means identifying a professional who can meet your specific needs at a price you can afford.

To help you strike an ideal balance between capability and affordability, start your search with the following considerations in mind.

• Define your needs: Identify specific services you need help with before searching for a small business accountant to avoid paying extra for packages you don’t need.
• Choose a specialist: Find an accountant who specialises in services tailored to your industry and who has experience working with businesses of your size and scope.
• Avoid unclear pricing: Prioritise accountants who provide transparent pricing and are happy tell you exactly what each service costs, with no vague add-ons or upsells.
• Explore technologies: Consider how cloud-based accounting software could help you to fulfil some basic needs and simplify collaborations with external professionals.
• Consider scalability: Factor your plans for business growth into your considerations to help identify an accountant who can adapt to address increasingly complex needs.

 

Final thoughts

Small business owners often feel compelled to personally manage as many aspects of their operations as possible, but often, this can introduce avoidable challenges.

By opting to outsource some tasks to a specialist, you can spend more time focusing on daily operations.

So as long as you have a good understanding of your financial situation and unique business needs, finding an affordable small business accountant can be fairly straightforward.

With support from an experienced specialist, you can set your business up for sustainable success.

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