Ask five accountants what they charge and you will get five different answers, often with no clear explanation of what is included. This guide sets out what drives the price, what a growing limited company actually needs, and exactly what our plans cost and include, with the sums shown.
What drives the price
- How many transactions you have. More sales, purchases and bank lines mean more bookkeeping.
- VAT. Once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 you must register, and quarterly VAT returns add regular work.
- Payroll. Each employee adds monthly payroll, pension contributions and HMRC submissions.
- Reporting. Monthly management accounts take more work than a once-a-year set of accounts.
- Complexity. Stock, several companies, overseas trade or research and development claims all add time.
- The state of your records. Tidy, up-to-date books cost less to look after than a year's worth of receipts scattered across your inbox, your camera roll and three banking apps.
What a growing company needs
A company turning over £100,000 or more usually needs more than a set of year-end accounts. It is likely to be VAT-registered, to employ people, and to need up-to-date figures to make decisions. A complete service typically covers monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll and pensions, year-end accounts and the Corporation Tax return, the director's Self Assessment return, and planning of salary, dividends and pension contributions.
What our plans cost
All our plans are fixed monthly fees, agreed before we start, with a 15% saving on a 12-month agreement. Each price is a starting point, not a ceiling: the plans are bands, and where your company sits within a band depends on how many transactions you have, how many people you pay and how much reporting you need. Your exact fee is confirmed in your quote.
| Plan | Monthly | On a 12-month agreement | Saving over a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup | from £500 a month: £500 × 12 = £6,000 a year | £500 × 85% = £425 a month: £425 × 12 = £5,100 a year | £6,000 − £5,100 = £900 |
| Scale | from £900 a month: £900 × 12 = £10,800 a year | £900 × 85% = £765 a month: £765 × 12 = £9,180 a year | £10,800 − £9,180 = £1,620 |
| Thrive | from £1,500 a month: £1,500 × 12 = £18,000 a year | £1,500 × 85% = £1,275 a month: £1,275 × 12 = £15,300 a year | £18,000 − £15,300 = £2,700 |
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
What each plan includes
- Startup: monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll for up to 3 employees, annual accounts and the Corporation Tax return, the director's Self Assessment return, the yearly confirmation statement, Xero accounting set-up and email support.
- Scale: everything in Startup, plus payroll for up to 10 employees, monthly management accounts, quarterly business reviews, tax planning advice, priority email and phone support, and a direct line to Spencer.
- Thrive: everything in Scale, plus payroll for up to 25 employees, finance director level advice, monthly strategic reviews, advanced tax planning, custom reporting and growth consulting.
The real cost after tax
Accountancy fees are a business expense, so they reduce the company's Corporation Tax. On the Scale plan with a 12-month agreement:
- At the 19% small profits rate: £9,180 × 19% = £1,744.20 of Corporation Tax saved, so the cost after tax is £9,180 − £1,744.20 = £7,435.80 a year, or £7,435.80 ÷ 12 = £619.65 a month.
- With profits between £50,000 and £250,000, where marginal relief means each extra £1 of profit is taxed at 26.5%: £9,180 × 26.5% = £2,432.70 saved, so the cost after tax is £9,180 − £2,432.70 = £6,747.30 a year, or £6,747.30 ÷ 12 = £562.275, which is £562.28 a month to the nearest penny.
What a good accountant should save you
The fee is only half of the picture. Good advice should pay for itself, for example:
- Pension planning. £10,000 of profit paid into your pension by the company puts the full £10,000 to work, while the same profit taken as a higher rate dividend leaves £5,204.25: £10,000 − £5,204.25 = £4,795.75 more working for you. Our pension guide shows the full working.
- Avoiding penalties. For Corporation Tax returns due from 1 April 2026, filing late costs £200 straight away and another £200 at three months: £200 + £200 = £400, before any penalties based on the tax owed.
- Your time. Every hour you spend on bookkeeping and HMRC is an hour not spent on customers.
How to compare quotes
- Is the fee fixed, or can extra work be billed by the hour?
- Exactly which returns are included: VAT, payroll, Corporation Tax, confirmation statement, your own Self Assessment?
- How often will you get management accounts, and will someone explain them?
- Who will you actually deal with, and how quickly do they reply?
- What happens when your company grows: does the price change automatically, or by agreement?
Getting a quote
Every company is different, so our prices start from the figures above and are confirmed after a free conversation about your company. You get one fixed monthly fee, agreed in writing before anything changes.
Common questions
How much does an accountant cost for a limited company?
It depends on what you need. For a growing company that is VAT-registered and employs staff, a complete service costs more than year-end accounts alone. Our plans start from £500 a month, with 15% off on a 12-month agreement.
Are accountancy fees tax-deductible for a limited company?
Yes. They are a business expense, so they reduce Corporation Tax. At 19%, a £9,180 annual fee saves £9,180 × 19% = £1,744.20 of tax.
Is a fixed monthly fee better than hourly billing?
For most companies, yes. You know the cost in advance, and you can ask questions without worrying about the clock. Check what the fixed fee includes before you compare prices.
What is included in your plans?
Every plan includes monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, annual accounts, the Corporation Tax return and the director's Self Assessment return. Scale adds management accounts and tax planning; Thrive adds finance director level advice and monthly strategic reviews.
Can I switch accountant part-way through the year?
Yes. You do not need to wait for your year end. We handle the handover with your previous accountant and HMRC.
Sources: HMRC guidance on GOV.UK for Corporation Tax rates and late filing penalties. Plan prices as published on this website. Figures correct for 2026/27 and reviewed October 2026. General guidance, not personal advice.