Accountancy Services

Trying to Find the Right Price for Accounting Services?

You’ll find plenty of advice on accounting fees from online sources, friends, family, and other business owners. But what should you actually expect to pay for an accountant?

How Much Does an Accountant Cost?

The cost of accounting services depends on several key factors:

  • Industry Requirements – Some industries, like tour operators, construction, wine importers, and agriculture, involve more complex VAT rules and employment schemes, making the work more technical.
  • Business Size and Transactions – The number of transactions and size of the business directly impact accounting needs.
  • Type of Transactions – Businesses with frequent asset purchases or other unique transaction types may need specialised support.
  • Business Setup and Maturity – Established businesses may require different types of support than newer businesses still setting up accounting workflows. However, profitable, established businesses can often benefit from advanced tax planning and growth-focused services that adapt as needs evolve.
  • Service Level – Not all accountants offer the same service level. Response times, availability, quality of compliance work, and proactive tax and business growth support can vary significantly.

At Accounts Geek, our pricing model takes all these factors into account to provide a tailored service aligned with your goals. We believe in building a win-win relationship: our success depends on helping you succeed.

Below is a list of our most common services with indicative fees.

For a limited company, there are several essential accounting and compliance requirements to meet. Here’s a breakdown of the key services needed:

1. Company Accounts

  • What: Every limited company must prepare annual financial statements, also known as company accounts, to report the business’s financial position.
  • When: These accounts must be filed with Companies House and HMRC annually, within 9 months of the company’s financial year-end.
  • Why: Filing annual accounts is a legal requirement to ensure transparency in the company’s finances.

2. Confirmation Statement

  • What: This is an annual filing to confirm the company’s key information, such as registered address, directors, and shareholding structure.
  • When: Must be filed once every 12 months, based on the date of the last confirmation statement.
  • Why: It keeps Companies House updated on any changes and maintains accurate company records.

3. VAT (Value Added Tax)

  • What: VAT is a tax on sales. A company must register for VAT if its annual turnover exceeds £90,000. Registered companies charge VAT on sales and submit VAT returns to HMRC.
  • When: VAT returns are generally filed quarterly (every 3 months), with payment due at the same time.
  • Why: VAT registration is mandatory once the threshold is crossed, and failure to submit returns can result in penalties.

4. PAYE (Pay As You Earn)

  • What: PAYE is the system used to deduct Income Tax and National Insurance from employee salaries, including directors’ wages.
  • When: PAYE deductions are reported to HMRC monthly, and payments to HMRC are also made monthly or quarterly, depending on the company’s size.
  • Why: If the company has employees or pays a director, PAYE registration is required to ensure proper tax withholding.

5. Director’s Self Assessment

  • What: Company directors usually need to complete a Self Assessment tax return to declare any income, including salary or dividends taken from the company.
  • When: The Self Assessment tax return must be filed by 31 January following the end of the tax year (which ends on 5 April).
  • Why: This is required to ensure directors pay the correct amount of personal tax on their income from the company.

Use the calculator below for a quote on our Year-end Statutory Accounts Preparation and Submission service.

Every Limited Company is required to have an address where official correspondence, such as letters from Companies House, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can be sent.

 

1. Self Assessment Registration with HMRC

  • What: When you start working for yourself, you must register with HMRC for Self Assessment, so they know you need to pay tax on your business income.
  • When: You need to register by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you became self-employed.
  • Why: This is required by HMRC to set up your tax account and issue your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), allowing you to submit your tax return.

2. Self Assessment Tax Return

  • What: Self-employed individuals must complete an annual Self Assessment tax return, reporting all income, expenses, and allowable deductions.
  • When: The tax return is due by 31 January following the end of the tax year (which ends on 5 April).
  • Why: Filing a tax return ensures you pay the correct amount of tax on your self-employed earnings.

3. Sole Trader Accounts

  • What: As a sole trader, you need to keep accurate records of all your business income and expenses, such as invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
  • When: These records should be maintained throughout the year and kept for at least five years after the relevant tax year.
  • Why: Although you don’t need to submit these accounts to HMRC, they are essential for accurately completing your Self Assessment.

  • What: VAT is a tax on sales. A business must register for VAT if its annual turnover exceeds £90,000. Registered companies charge VAT on sales and submit VAT returns to HMRC.
  • When: VAT returns are generally filed quarterly (every 3 months), with payment due at the same time.
  • Why: VAT registration is mandatory once the threshold is crossed, and failure to submit returns can result in penalties.

Use the calculator below for a per-quarter quote for our Quarterly VAT Return Preparation and Submission service.

  • What: PAYE is the system used to deduct Income Tax and National Insurance from employee salaries, including directors’ wages.
  • When: PAYE deductions are reported to HMRC monthly, and payments to HMRC are also made monthly or quarterly, depending on the size of business size.
  • Why: If the business has employees or pays a director (if limited company), PAYE registration is required to ensure proper tax withholding.

Use the calculator below for a monthly quote of our monthly PAYE service.

Use the calculator below for a per-quarter quote on our Quarterly Management Accounts service.

Use the calculator below for a per-month quote on our Monthly Management Accounts service.

Discounted QuickBooks plans for Accounts Geek customers.

 

Our compliance annual fees only cover the work outlined in the scope of services.
In the event of an HMRC tax investigation of you and your business, we will provide the services and support where possible at the fee rates outlined below. If any specialist support is required which is not available within our team, we will try and find the appropriate external specialist, who fill have their own fee structure.

 

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