1. Do they know startup tax reliefs?
R&D tax relief, SEIS and EIS for investors, and EMI options for staff can be worth far more than the accounting fee. Ask how many claims or applications the firm prepares and how they document them for HMRC.
Comparison guide · tech startups
Best accountants for tech startups in London: how to choose
Quick answer
The best accountant for a London tech startup handles the core compliance on a fixed fee and understands startup-specific work: R&D tax relief, SEIS/EIS advance assurance, EMI share options and SaaS revenue recognition. LimitedCompany.Accountants (Accotax London Limited, ICAEW-regulated) offers monthly packages from £45.83 + VAT a month, with specialist work quoted on scope.
Updated 29 October 2026. We include ourselves in this guide, so we have kept to general criteria and our own published prices, and make no claims about other firms.
What should you look for?
2. Can they handle SaaS and subscription revenue?
Annual subscriptions paid upfront are deferred revenue, not immediate income. Your accountant should recognise revenue correctly and report metrics investors ask for, such as MRR and ARR, consistently with the accounts.
3. Are they ready for fundraising?
Investors expect clean accounts, a cap table that matches Companies House, and board-level reporting. Ask whether the firm supports due diligence and share allotments.
4. Is the fee predictable while you scale?
Startups change fast. Look for a published fixed fee for compliance, and written quotes for one-off projects such as R&D claims, so costs stay predictable.
5. Can you meet in person when it matters?
Remote works day to day, but board meetings and investor rounds can benefit from a face-to-face session. Check whether the firm offers in-person meetings in or near London.
How much does an accountant for a tech startup cost?
Our own published fixed fees, with specialist work quoted in writing first:
- Essential/Compliance package
- From £45.83 + VAT a month for accounts, CT600 and one director's Self Assessment
- Core/Complete package
- From £62.50 + VAT a month, adding bookkeeping, VAT and director payroll
- Growth package
- From £75.00 + VAT a month, adding payroll for up to five employees
- Company formation
- From £150 + VAT plus the £100 Companies House fee
- R&D tax relief, SEIS/EIS advance assurance
- Quoted on scope before work starts
We do not publish other firms' prices or market averages we cannot verify. Fixed fees in this market are usually set by turnover, transaction volume, VAT registration and payroll size, so compare quotes on the same scope, line by line. All our fees exclude VAT.
What questions should you ask before choosing?
- How do you prepare and support an R&D tax relief claim?
- Can you apply for SEIS/EIS advance assurance before our round?
- How would you recognise our subscription revenue?
- Is the firm regulated by ICAEW, ACCA or AAT, and can I check that on the public register?
- What exactly is included in the monthly fee, and what is charged as extra?
- Who will actually do my work, and how quickly do they reply?
Where LimitedCompany.Accountants fits
A good fit for
- Early-stage UK limited companies in London and across the UK
- Founders who want compliance on a published fixed fee and advisory work quoted separately
- SaaS and software businesses using Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent
Probably not the right fit
- Later-stage companies that need an audit or a full in-house finance team
- Startups looking for investment introductions rather than accounting
Frequently asked questions
When should a startup hire an accountant?
Ideally before incorporation or the first fundraise, so the share structure, payroll and tax registrations are right from the start.
Is R&D tax relief included in a monthly package?
Not with us. R&D claims are quoted on scope and agreed in writing before work begins, because the work depends on the projects and costs involved.
Do London startups need a London-based accountant?
Not necessarily. Most work is online; what matters is startup experience, regulation and responsiveness. Our office is in Morden, South London, for meetings by appointment.