A lot of articles about accountant fees act like every firm charges the same. They don’t. Fees change with the kind of firm, the work you need, your business structure, and where you are based.
This guide looks at what UK firms really charge using public pricing from firms trading today. It also shows how DASA prices its own service so you can compare like for like.
Quick answer
UK accountant fees start around £150 a year for a basic sole trader self assessment and can pass £500 a month for a full limited company package. Online fixed fee firms sit at the lower end. London and specialist firms charge more. The right price depends on your business type, what is included, and how the accountant bills.
What do UK accountants typically charge?
Online fixed fee firms charge £150 to £350 for a standalone self assessment return. Monthly sole trader packages run £30 to £80 a month. Limited company packages start at £80 a month. London and specialist firms charge 20 to 30 percent more. Hourly rates for ad hoc work run from £75 to £200.
Here is the UK market, based on public pricing:
| Business type | Online firm range | London / specialist range |
|---|---|---|
| Sole trader, self assessment only | £150 to £400 per year | £300 to £600 per year |
| Sole trader, monthly package | £30 to £80 per month | £80 to £150 per month |
| Limited company, basic compliance | £80 to £200 per month | £200 to £400 per month |
| Limited company, full package | £200 to £500 per month | £400 to £800 per month |
| Landlord, self assessment | £150 to £400 per year | £300 to £600 per year |
Different firms price these jobs in different ways. Sleek, an ACCA regulated online firm, charges self assessment from £150 plus VAT. Alto Accounting, a specialist practice, quotes limited company monthly packages from £250 a month. Most online generalist firms sit between those two points.
Hourly billing exists for one off work. Regional firms charge £75 to £150 an hour. Central London firms charge up to £200 an hour. Hourly billing works for a single query. It is not a good fit for ongoing accounting.
What affects the cost of an accountant?
Business structure, the services included, transaction volume, location, and qualifications all affect price. A limited company needs more filings than a sole trader, so it costs more. A London practice usually charges more than a regional or online one. An ACCA or ACA qualified accountant charges more than an unqualified bookkeeper.
Your business structure
Limited companies have more filing requirements than sole traders. They need statutory accounts, a CT600, a confirmation statement, and director self assessment returns. More filings mean higher fees.
Sole traders and landlords have simpler needs. Their fees stay near the lower end of each range.
Which services are included
A standalone self assessment costs much less than a full monthly package. Two packages with the same price can include very different work. Always compare quotes against the same service list.
Transaction volume
Most fixed fee packages include a transaction limit per period. A business with 50 transactions a quarter pays less than one with 500. More volume means more bookkeeping time and a higher fee.
Location
London and South East firms charge 20 to 30 percent more than regional or online firms. Online accountants charge the same rate wherever you are based.
Qualifications
An ACCA or ACA qualified accountant charges more than an unqualified bookkeeper. A qualified accountant is registered, insured, and can give tax advice. For HMRC filings or tax planning, use a qualified accountant.
What does DASA Accountancy charge?
DASA uses fixed monthly fees. There are no hourly charges. There are no January rush fees. There is no separate charge for HMRC correspondence or calls with your accountant. Each plan covers the work your business type needs, with one dedicated ACCA qualified accountant throughout.
| Client | Price |
| Company (Silver) | From £99 |
| Landlords & Property Owners * | From £37.5 |
| Sole Traders | £37.5 |
| CIS | £240 |
Every DASA plan includes a named accountant. You contact them directly by phone or email. You do not get passed from person to person as your needs change. All filings are included in the monthly fee.
DASA does not charge separately for HMRC correspondence or tax questions during the year. These are part of the service.
How much do individual services cost across the market?
A standalone self assessment costs £150 to £400 a year in the UK. Quarterly VAT returns cost £40 to £150 a month standalone. Payroll for 1 to 5 employees costs £18 to £75 a month. Bookkeeping costs £20 to £45 an hour. DASA includes all of these in its monthly plans.
Self assessment tax return
Market rate: £150 to £400 per year
A simple sole trader return sits at the lower end. A director’s return with dividends and rental income sits at the upper end. A self assessment accountant at DASA handles this return as part of the monthly fee.
VAT returns
Market rate: £40 to £150 per quarter, standalone
VAT returns must be filed digitally under Making Tax Digital. Your accountant handles filing VAT returns in the UK and checks what you can reclaim each period. DASA includes VAT returns in plans for VAT registered businesses.
Payroll
Market rate: £18 to £75 per month for 1 to 5 employees
This covers PAYE calculations, RTI submissions to HMRC, pension processing, and payslips. DASA includes payroll services for small businesses in plans for businesses with employees or directors on payroll.
Bookkeeping
Market rate: £20 to £45 per hour standalone
Hourly bookkeeping suits businesses that mostly manage their own records. A monthly package is usually better value. DASA includes bookkeeping services in the UK in all monthly plans.
Year end accounts and corporation tax return
Market rate: £600 to £1,800 per year, standalone
This covers statutory accounts filed with Companies House and your CT600 filed with HMRC. A monthly package usually costs less than paying for these separately each year.
Limited company formation
Market rate: £0 to £250 (Companies House online fee: £100)
DASA includes company formation in its plans. Speak to the limited company registration team if you are starting a new company.
Fixed fee vs hourly: which is better?
Fixed monthly fees suit most small businesses. Your cost stays predictable. Your accountant gets paid the same whether they help once or ten times. Hourly billing works for one off queries. Costs can jump at busy times.
With hourly billing, every email and call adds to the bill. Bills are highest in January, when you need help most. Your accountant has no reason to be quick.
Fixed fees change that. Your accountant gets paid the same either way. They are more likely to contact you before problems build up. You do not have to watch the clock for every message.
Hourly billing only makes sense for a one off HMRC query. You do not need a monthly commitment for a single question.
Is hiring an accountant worth the cost?
For most small businesses, yes. A good accountant spots deductions you miss, helps avoid HMRC penalties, and frees up your time. Accountancy fees are tax deductible. After tax relief, your real cost is about 20 to 25 percent lower than the invoice. The effective cost of professional accounting is lower than it first looks.
Tax savings cover the fee. Most sole traders miss allowable expenses each year. A qualified accountant finds them and helps make sure you do not overpay HMRC.
Penalties are expensive. HMRC’s self assessment penalties start at £100 for a late return. They rise the longer the return stays unfiled. One penalty can cost more than a year’s accountancy fees.
Your time costs money. Every hour on bookkeeping is an hour away from your business. For most owners, that time is worth more than the accountant’s fee.
Fees are tax deductible. Accountancy fees are an allowable business expense. After tax relief, you pay 20 to 25 percent less than the listed fee.
MTD for Income Tax is now live. Since April 2026, self employed people and landlords over £50,000 must file quarterly with HMRC. This applies under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Your accountant must be ready for this.
Get in touch to confirm DASA’s pricing for your business type.
This article provides general information about accountancy fees in the UK. Prices vary by firm, services, and business complexity. Speak to a qualified accountant for advice specific to your circumstances.