Sole trader cost examples
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward Self Assessment | From £150 + VAT | Published starting fee for an additional return |
| Bookkeeping and VAT | Quoted by volume | Frequency and transaction count set the scope |
| Limited company alternative | From £89 + VAT/month | Company compliance package, where incorporation is appropriate |
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:
- volume and quality of bookkeeping
- VAT registration and MTD records
- property, gains or overseas income
- whether accounts are needed for finance
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
- A fixed proposal can combine accounts and the tax return.
- We explain payment dates and payments on account.
Check or quote separately
- The £150 starting fee does not cover every complex return.
- Incorporating solely to reduce the accountancy fee is not sensible.
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 how much does a sole trader accountant cost
How are sole trader cost examples priced?
The first relevant published figure is From £150 + VAT for Straightforward Self Assessment. The final scope also reflects volume and quality of bookkeeping, so we confirm it in writing.
What is included in the sole trader cost examples figure?
For Straightforward Self Assessment, the table records: Published starting fee for an additional return. Your proposal lists every recurring filing, review and record-keeping responsibility.
Does the sole trader cost examples price include VAT?
Professional fees shown for sole trader cost examples exclude VAT at the prevailing rate unless the table expressly says otherwise.
What could change the quoted sole trader cost examples cost?
The most important initial factor is volume and quality of bookkeeping. 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 sole trader cost examples quote before deciding?
Yes. Share the records and obligations relevant to how much does a sole trader accountant cost, 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.