What to look for
Accountants handle annual accounts, corporation tax, self-assessment, payroll, VAT returns, bookkeeping oversight, and management accounts for sole traders, limited companies, partnerships, and property landlords. The category divides between high-street local practices and specialist sector accountants (contractors, e-commerce, property, medical).
- ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, or CIMA professional body membership
- Anti-money-laundering supervision confirmed
- Professional indemnity insurance with cover stated
- Engagement letter scoped clearly with fees
- Sector experience verified for your situation
- Cloud-bookkeeping fluency on the major UK platforms
Typical pricing: £300-£700 self-assessment return, £1,200-£3,500 limited company annual accounts, £40-£120 monthly fixed fee (UK 2026)
Regulator / certification to look for: ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, CIMA (professional bodies), HMRC AML supervision