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How much does it cost to set up a limited company?

You can register a limited company yourself for a small fee, or pay an accountant to set it up correctly from the start. Here is what each route costs in 2025-26 and what the accountant fee actually adds.

Typical cost: GBP 50-150 one-off

Typical cost, in context

Typical UK accountant fees by service
ServiceTypical cost
Company formationAccountant fee on top of the Companies House incorporation fee.GBP 50-150one-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
Self Assessment tax returnSole trader or landlord return; most pay GBP 200-350. Rises with complex income or late filing.GBP 150-400one-off

Indicative ranges, excluding VAT unless noted. Figures compiled July 2026; individual quotes vary with complexity and location. Related services shown for comparison.

What changes the price

  • DIY versus accountant: the Companies House fee is fixed; the accountant fee is for advice and correct setup.
  • Share structure: multiple shareholders or share classes need more thought than a single-director company.
  • What is bundled: registration for Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT, plus a first-year accounts plan, may be included or extra.
  • Registered office and address services: some accountants include a registered office, others charge for it.

The Companies House fee versus the accountant fee

Registering a company directly on GOV.UK costs GBP 50 and takes minutes. An accountant charges roughly GBP 50-150 on top, and the difference is setup done right: the correct share structure, registration for the taxes you actually need, a sensible salary-and-dividend plan, and avoiding the common first-year mistakes. If your setup is a plain single-director company, DIY is perfectly reasonable; if there are co-founders, investment or share classes involved, the advice is worth more than the fee.

What to sort out at the same time

Forming the company is step one. New companies also need to register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to trade, set up a business bank account, register for PAYE if paying a salary, and consider VAT. An accountant setting the company up usually handles the tax registrations and points you at the rest, which is a large part of what the formation fee buys over the bare GBP 50 filing.

Check the firm is actually regulated

Price is only half the decision. "Accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, so 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, and the strongest firms are also members of a body such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT. Before you pay, confirm the firm is AML-supervised and on the public record.

Find a verified, AML-supervised accountant near you →

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to set up a limited company?

Registering directly at Companies House costs GBP 50. An accountant typically charges GBP 50-150 on top to set the company up correctly, including tax registrations and share structure advice.

Can I set up a limited company myself?

Yes. You can incorporate online at GOV.UK for GBP 50 in about ten minutes. Paying an accountant adds advice on share structure, tax registration and getting the first year right.

What do I need to do after forming a company?

Register for Corporation Tax within three months of trading, open a business bank account, register for PAYE if you take a salary, and consider VAT. An accountant usually handles the tax registrations as part of setup.

Related cost guides

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