How to Find an Accountant for Your UK Small Business

Do you actually need one?

A good accountant does three things: they save you tax (legally), they save you time, and they save you from mistakes that cost more than their fee. The break-even varies:

• Sole trader, single income, under ~£50k turnover — you probably don't need one. Self Assessment is do-able with bookkeeping software.
• Sole trader, complex situation (CGT events, foreign income, rental, near a tax threshold) — get one. The fee is small relative to the mistakes.
• Limited company, any size — get one. Companies House filings, Corporation Tax, dividend documentation, director payroll and the confirmation statement are not a DIY job for most people.
• VAT registered — get one, or use a bookkeeper for the monthly cycle and an accountant for the year-end.

Qualifications to look for

• ICAEW (ACA / FCA) — Chartered Accountants of England & Wales. The gold standard for limited companies.
• ACCA — Chartered Certified Accountants. Equally qualified for SMEs; large global body.
• AAT — Association of Accounting Technicians. Often the right level for sole traders and micro-companies; AAT-licensed practitioners can do everything most small businesses need.
• CIOT (CTA) — tax specialists. Worth knowing if your situation is tax-driven (incorporation, exit, R&D, EIS).

"Accountant" is not a protected term in the UK — anyone can call themselves one. The qualifications above are the protection. Always check the practitioner is currently regulated by their professional body (their public register is the source of truth).

Where to find one

• Personal referrals from other founders in your sector — best signal.
• Professional body directories: ICAEW "Find a Chartered Accountant", ACCA's directory, AAT's directory.
• Your bank or accounting software — Tide, FreeAgent, Xero and QuickBooks all maintain partner directories.
• Sector specialists: if you're a contractor, look for IR35-fluent firms (SJD, InTouch, Crunch); if you're an e-commerce seller, look for A2X-fluent firms.

How to vet them in one call

What you should pay

• Self Assessment only (sole trader): £150–£400 a year, one-off.
• Limited company, monthly bookkeeping + year-end + CT600 + payroll for 1–2 directors: £70–£150 a month.
• Add VAT returns: £25–£50 a month extra.
• One-off advice (incorporation, exit, R&D claim): hourly £150–£300 or fixed-price quote.

Be wary of headline prices below £30/month — they usually come with restrictive scope and pay-per-use add-ons that quickly exceed the £70+ "expensive" option.

Onboarding

1. Sign the engagement letter — it sets out scope, fees and responsibilities.
2. Provide AML / KYC documents — ID, proof of address, company details.
3. Give them access to your accounting software (as Adviser/Accountant role), HMRC online services (agent authorisation form 64-8) and Companies House.
4. Hand over your old records — last full year of accounts, last CT600/SA100, payroll history, VAT history.
5. Diary the touchpoints — monthly close, quarterly review, year-end window.