How much does a limited company accountant cost?

A limited company has statutory filing obligations a sole trader does not, so the accountancy costs more - but it is largely predictable. Here is what a small company typically pays for its year-end accounts and Corporation Tax in 2025-26, and where the extras hide.

Typical cost: GBP 750-2000 per year

Typical cost, in context

Typical UK accountant fees by service
Service	Typical cost
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
PayrollUsually a minimum monthly fee of GBP 50-100 regardless of headcount.	GBP 5-15per employee/month

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

Turnover and transaction volume: a dormant or micro company is cheapest; more invoices, staff and bank activity all add time.
Bookkeeping state: if the accountant has to tidy the books before preparing accounts, expect a higher fee.
Whether payroll, VAT and the director's personal return are included or billed separately.
Software: connected cloud bookkeeping (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent) tends to lower the year-end fee.

What the annual fee actually covers

The core GBP 750-2,000 usually buys your statutory accounts filed at Companies House and the CT600 Corporation Tax return filed with HMRC. Many small companies want more than that: a director's Self Assessment, a confirmation statement, payroll for one or two people, and quarterly VAT. Bundled as a monthly package this often lands around GBP 100-250 a month; check exactly what is inside the quote, because the headline year-end figure and a full-service package are different products.

Why a company costs more than a sole trader

A limited company is a separate legal entity with public filing duties: annual accounts on the Companies House register, a Corporation Tax return, a confirmation statement, and director reporting. That is more work and more liability for the accountant than a sole trader's single return, which is why the fee sits higher. The trade-off is that those same filings, done properly and on time, are exactly the public-record signals that mark a company as credible.

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 an accountant cost for a limited company?

For a small company, annual accounts plus the Corporation Tax return typically cost GBP 750-2,000 a year. A fuller monthly package that adds payroll, VAT, a director return and ongoing support usually runs GBP 100-250 a month.

Do I legally need an accountant for a limited company?

No. You can prepare and file company accounts and the CT600 yourself. In practice most directors use an accountant because company accounts follow statutory formats, the penalties for errors are higher, and the fee is modest against the risk.

What is not included in a basic year-end fee?

A basic accounts-and-CT fee often excludes payroll, VAT returns, the director's personal Self Assessment, bookkeeping, and ad-hoc advice. Confirm these before you sign so the quote reflects what you actually need.

How do I check a company accountant is properly regulated?

Any firm doing accountancy work must be supervised for anti-money-laundering, and the strongest are members of a body such as ICAEW or ACCA. Both are on the public record - our directory shows a firm's AML supervision and regulatory status before you make contact.