On this page, we have added some links and details of some of the UK’s leading sole trader accountants. We’ve also included some handy tips to help you choose the right firm (and avoid bad apples)!
Over the past twenty years, the ByteStart team has collaborated with dozens of accountants as partners and suppliers to our own businesses.
This experience taught us that choosing the right accountant can make a huge difference to your business.
Scroll down for some general advice on choosing an accountant for your business.
Compare Sole Trader Accountants – Monthly Fees & Features (2025)
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of popular UK accountants for sole traders. We’ve included monthly fees, features, and support levels. The first table lists our partners; the second includes other reputable providers.
Please Note: the monthly fees quoted are for sole traders, not limited companies. The data was last checked in June 2025. All prices are quotes exclusive of VAT.
Bytestart Partner Sole Trader Accountants
| Provider | Monthly Fee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap Accounting | From £52.50 + VAT | Year-end accounts, Self Assessment, cloud software support (FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks), email-led service. MTD-ready. |
| Clever Accounts | From £37.50 + VAT | Unlimited support, Self Assessment, VAT returns, dashboard access. Integrates with FreeAgent/Xero. MTD-ready. |
| Vantage Accounting | From £49 + VAT | FreeAgent included, no contracts.Tax returns, accounts, VAT (optional). MTD-ready. |
Cheap Accounting
Fee: From £52.50 + VAT
Features: Year-end accounts, Self Assessment, cloud software support (FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks), email-led service. MTD-ready.
Clever Accounts
Fee: From £37.50 + VAT
Features: Unlimited support, Self Assessment, VAT returns, dashboard access. Integrates with FreeAgent/Xero. MTD-ready.
Va (sole trader)
Features: FreeAgent included, no contracts, tax returns, accounts, VAT optional. MTD-ready.
Other Popular Sole Trader Accountants
| Provider | Monthly Fee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Clear House Accountants | From £30 | Self Assessment, Complimentary QuickBooks, All-inclusive support, Dedicated Accounts Manager. MTD-ready. |
| The Accountancy Partnership | From £24.50 | Pandle software, Self Assessment, accounts, phone/email/chat support, Great value. MTD-ready. |
| TaxAssist Accountants | £30–£70* | UK-wide offices, in-person or online. Accounts, VAT, payroll, Self Assessment. MTD-ready. Software varies by location. |
| Mazuma | From £32 | Fully managed accounting via MazApp, Self Assessment, year-end, email/chat-only support. MTD-ready. 30-day trial. |
| Crunch | From £24.50 | Self-Employed Lite plan includes cloud tools, invoicing, expenses, Self Assessment. Upgrade for advice. MTD-ready. |
| GoForma | From £39.50 | FreeAgent included, Tide bank integration optional. Tax returns, bookkeeping, app-based support. MTD-ready. 3 months half price. |
| Gorilla Accounting | £55 | FreeAgent included, IR35 help, Self Assessment, quick-response email/phone support. MTD-ready. |
| No Worries Accounting | From £35 | Self Assessment, IR35 advice, cloud software (Joy Pilot), all-inclusive support. MTD-ready. |
Clear House Accountants
Fee: From £24.50
Features: Complimentary QuickBooks. Self Assessment. All-inclusive support. Dedicated Accounts Manager. MTD-ready.
The Accountancy Partnership
Fee: From £24.50
Features: Pandle software, Self Assessment, accounts, phone/email/chat support. Great value. MTD-ready.
TaxAssist Accountants
Fee: £30–£70*
Features: UK-wide offices, in-person or online. Accounts, VAT, payroll, Self Assessment. MTD-ready. Software varies by location.
Mazuma
Fee: From £32
Features: Fully managed accounting via MazApp, Self Assessment, year-end, email/chat-only support. MTD-ready. 30-day trial.
Crunch
Fee: From £24.50
Features: Self-Employed Lite plan includes cloud tools, invoicing, expenses, Self Assessment. Upgrade for advice. MTD-ready.
GoForma
Fee: From £39.50
Features: FreeAgent included, Tide bank integration optional. Tax returns, bookkeeping, app-based support. MTD-ready. 3 months half price.
Gorilla Accounting
Fee: £55
Features: FreeAgent included, IR35 help, Self Assessment, quick-response email/phone support. MTD-ready.
No Worries Accounting
Fee: From £35
Features: Self Assessment, IR35 advice, cloud software (Joy Pilot), all-inclusive support. MTD-ready.
If you run an accountancy firm and would like to be considered for a listing here, please contact us.
How to choose the right small business accountant
A good accountant doesn’t just crunch numbers – they can add significant value by helping you save time, proactively advising you on tax-saving measures, and reducing stress. On the other hand, a bad accountant can lead to frustration, poor advice, and even costly penalties from HMRC for inaccurate or late filings.
With this in mind, here are five key things to bear in mind when looking for a new accountant:
- Will you have a dedicated point of contact?
It’s important to know whether you’ll be assigned a specific person to manage your accounts. If not, you may be passed around different team members, leading to miscommunication and delays. - How much will the service cost per year?
While cost shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, you need to understand what you’ll be paying and what’s included in the fee. Ask for a detailed breakdown of the services they’ll provide, and watch out for hidden costs, such as extra charges for filings or for each additional employee you hire. - Do you have recommendations from people you know?
This is arguably the most important tip. You can’t beat a solid recommendation from other trusted business owners.
- Are they small business specialists?
Make sure you choose a firm which specialises in helping small businesses. They will understand the unique challenges which face sole traders. - What tools and technology do they use?
Modern accountants should all use up-to-date software these days. Ask whether they use cloud accounting tools, like FreeAgent, Xero or QuickBooks. These tools are great time-savers for both business owners and accountants. Your data is also securely stored in the Cloud.
More reading before you hire an accountant
- 15 questions to ask a prospective accountancy firm
- Top 10 tips for choosing a limited company accountant
- Do you need an in-house accountant or a bookkeeper?
- Top 10 tips for choosing a limited company accountant
From £37.50/m
From £49/m