Service model comparison
Use this table as a transparent starting point. It uses our current published prices or an official government amount, not an unsupported market average. We confirm professional fees and responsibilities in writing after understanding the company, its records and its filing position.
| Service or example | Price or amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Our online-first Essentials | £89 + VAT/month | Digital records with office appointments available |
| Our online-first Complete | £169 + VAT/month | Bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and quarterly review |
| Our online-first Growth | £289 + VAT/month | Management accounts, forecasts and planning |
Professional fees exclude VAT unless stated. “From” prices require a confirmed scope. Tax examples are illustrative and are not a quote or personal tax calculation.
What changes the final cost?
Price follows the work required, not a keyword or postcode. A clean, reconciled record set generally takes less time than incomplete books. Before quoting, we identify the recurring filings, who keeps the records and whether earlier periods need attention. The main factors for this service are:
- how records are exchanged
- whether meetings are remote or in person
- who answers technical questions
- software and bookkeeping responsibilities
A proposal then separates recurring compliance from optional advice and one-off correction work. That makes like-for-like comparison easier and reduces the chance of a cheap headline fee becoming an unexpected bill later.
What is included, and what is separate?
Normally included in scope
- Cloud records, digital approvals and deadline tracking are included.
- Clients can still arrange an office appointment.
Check or quote separately
- We do not publish unsupported “average high street” figures.
- Software or migration work is included only where stated.
The engagement letter is the definitive record of what we will do, what information the directors must provide and when. If your requirements change—for example, the company registers for VAT, hires staff or begins selling through additional platforms—we discuss the revised work before changing the fee.
How to compare accountant quotes properly
Put each quote beside the same list of deliverables: statutory accounts, CT600, confirmation statement, director Self Assessment, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and scheduled advice. Check whether transaction limits, software, Companies House charges, catch-up work and HMRC correspondence are included. Also ask who reviews the work and how quickly questions are normally acknowledged.
For a UK limited company, the lowest figure is not necessarily the lowest total cost. Missing bookkeeping, payroll or director-tax work may be billed later, while poor records can obscure tax deadlines and cash requirements. Choose a scope that matches the company now and can be reviewed as it changes. Our full limited company fees and packages remain the central source for our current recurring prices.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about cheap online accountant
How are service model comparison priced?
The first relevant published figure is £89 + VAT/month for Our online-first Essentials. The final scope also reflects how records are exchanged, so we confirm it in writing.
What is included in the service model comparison figure?
For Our online-first Essentials, the table records: Digital records with office appointments available. Your proposal lists every recurring filing, review and record-keeping responsibility.
Does the service model comparison price include VAT?
Professional fees shown for service model comparison exclude VAT at the prevailing rate unless the table expressly says otherwise.
What could change the quoted service model comparison cost?
The most important initial factor is how records are exchanged. New filing duties, incomplete historic records or work outside the agreed scope are discussed before an extra fee is charged.
Can I get a fixed service model comparison quote before deciding?
Yes. Share the records and obligations relevant to cheap online accountant, and we will set out the deliverables, exclusions and price before work begins.
Evidence
Sources and review basis
Prices are taken from our live fees page. Tax and government-fee statements link to the relevant official guidance. Check official pages for later changes.