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How much does an accountant cost in London?

Accountants in London almost always charge a fixed fee rather than an hourly rate, so the real question is what each service should cost. Here are the typical 2025-26 fees, what moves the price, and how to make sure the firm you pick is actually regulated. As one of the higher-cost UK markets, London firms tend to sit toward the upper end of these ranges.

Typical accountant fees in London

Typical UK accountant fees by service
ServiceTypical cost
Self Assessment tax returnSole trader or landlord return; most pay GBP 200-350. Rises with complex income or late filing.GBP 150-400one-off
Limited company accounts + Corporation TaxStatutory accounts filed at Companies House plus the CT600. Small company.GBP 750-2000per year
Full company service (accounts, CT, director tax, payroll)Complete package for a director: company accounts, Corporation Tax and personal Self Assessment.GBP 800-1500per year
VAT returnsOften folded into a monthly package rather than billed separately.GBP 100-300per quarter
PayrollUsually a minimum monthly fee of GBP 50-100 regardless of headcount.GBP 5-15per employee/month
BookkeepingOr roughly GBP 25-60 per hour. Scales with transaction volume and software.GBP 100-500per month
Contractor accountant (fixed-fee package)Plus VAT. Higher tiers add VAT returns, payroll and Self Assessment.GBP 60-150per month
Small business monthly packageMicro business; rises to GBP 300-600 with full bookkeeping, VAT and payroll.GBP 100-300per month
Management accountsRegular management reporting on top of statutory work.GBP 150-500per month
Company formationAccountant fee on top of the Companies House incorporation fee.GBP 50-150one-off

Indicative UK ranges, excluding VAT unless noted. Figures compiled July 2026; a Londonquote varies with complexity, your records and how many services you need.

9,501 verified accountants in London

We list 9,501 accountancy firms in London, each cross-checked against Companies House, the HMRC anti-money-laundering register and the professional bodies - with the source and date on every claim. Get two or three fixed-fee quotes and compare like for like.

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What changes the price

  • Complexity. More income sources, rental property or foreign income all add time.
  • Your records. Clean bookkeeping or connected software lowers the fee; a shoebox of receipts raises it.
  • Timing. Returns filed close to the 31 January deadline often carry a premium.
  • Location. London sits among the higher-cost UK markets.
  • One-off vs ongoing. A single return is a fixed fee; bookkeeping, VAT and payroll are usually a monthly package.

Check the London accountant is actually regulated

Price is only half the decision. Because "accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, the cheapest quote is not always from a qualified, accountable firm. Any business doing accountancy work is legally required to be supervised for anti-money-laundering - by HMRC or a professional body - and the strongest firms are also members of ICAEW, ACCA or AAT. Before you pay a London firm, confirm it is AML-supervised and on the public record.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does an accountant cost in London?

In London, a sole trader Self Assessment return is typically GBP 150-400, a limited company's annual accounts and Corporation Tax run about GBP 750-2,000 a year, and small-business monthly packages start around GBP 100-300. As one of the higher-cost UK markets, London firms tend to sit toward the upper end of these ranges.

Are accountants in London more expensive than elsewhere?

London is one of the pricier UK locations, so quotes often land at the top of the national ranges. It is still worth getting two or three fixed-fee quotes, as remote and regional firms can serve London businesses for less.

How do I check a London accountant is qualified and regulated?

"Accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, so check two things: that the firm is supervised for anti-money-laundering (a legal requirement) and, ideally, that it is a member of a body such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT. Both are on the public record - every firm in our London directory is cross-checked against it.

Should I use a local London accountant or an online one?

Most accounting is done digitally now, so an online firm can be cheaper and just as capable. A local London accountant helps if you want face-to-face meetings or advice from someone who knows the local business scene. Either way, confirm they are AML-supervised before you pay.

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