How Much Does an Accountant Cost for a Sole Trader in the UK?

Last Updated on November 14, 2026

There is no single answer, but there is a published range. On 14 November 2026 Whito read the price pages of 61 UK accountancy firms and wrote down every price.

If you only need a tax return

34 firms publish a one-off or yearly price for a self assessment tax return. The lowest price each advertises runs from £50 to £495. The median is £157.50. That is for a simple return. Rental income, capital gains or overseas income cost more at every firm that lists them.

If you want accounts and the return together

19 firms publish a one-off or yearly price, from £150 to £985. The median is £350. Another 19 sell it as a monthly plan, from £22 to £175 a month. The median is £37.50.

What moves the price

• Your turnover band.
• How tidy your records are.
• Whether you are VAT registered.
• Whether you want bookkeeping done for you.
• Whether you need quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, which several firms price as an extra.

Three questions to ask

1. Is VAT added?
2. What turnover does this price assume?
3. Is my tax return included?

Then check who you are hiring. Anyone can legally call themselves an accountant.

Source: Whito read the price pages of 61 UK accountancy firms on 14 November 2026. These are the lowest prices each firm advertises, not typical bills. Full tables, method and limits: What UK accountants charge in 2026.

Whito

Whito is an independent UK research publisher. We publish research on how UK businesses are found, trusted and priced: what they cost to market, how their sectors work, and who actually gets recommended. Studies are free to read, every figure carries the date it was checked, and nobody pays to appear.

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