On this page, we have added some links and details of small business accountants we have worked with for many years at ByteStart. 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.
Our partner small business accountants
We have worked with these partner accountants for many years at Bytestart.
They are all small business specialists who work with clients across the UK. All provide a fixed-fee service with no ‘hidden’ costs.
Cheap Accounting
- Qualified accountants for self-employed business owners.
- Specialists in sole traders and limited companies.
- Dedicated support for freelancers, contractors, and side hustlers.
- Limited company accounting from just £52.50/month.
- Year-end financial statements start at £99.
- Specialists in FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks, Tide, Starling, and Monzo.
- Fully online accounting service.
- A team of 24 qualified accountants regulated by eight professional bodies.
- Visit Cheap Accounting here.
Clever Accounts
- Fixed fee accounts for small businesses
- Free open banking integration with 25+ business bank accounts.
- Sole trader and limited company specialists.
- Sole trader accounts from £37.50/month.
- Limited company accounts from £104.50/month.
- FreeAgent experts.
- Unlimited accountancy support and tax advice.
- Tax returns preparation and filing included.
- Freelancing, contracting and landlord tax specialists.
- Visit Clever Accounts here.
Vantage Accounting
- Current offer – 3 months at 50% off.
- Specialist help for sole traders and limited companies.
- Buy-to-let landlord service.
- 3 months free fee protection cover.
- Sole trader monthly fees from £30/month, limited from £79/month.
- No minimum contract length.
- Wide range of accounting software support, or paper-based if you prefer.
- Visit Vantage Accounting here.
SG Accounting
- Current offer – 3 months half price (currently £58.50 for the first 3 months).
- Contractor specialists.
- Unlimited advice from your personal accountant.
- FreeAgent is included, or you can use a simple spreadsheet instead.
- Working with contractors since 1995.
- FCSA accredited firm.
- Visit SG Accounting here.
Aardvark Accounting
- Limited company contractor specialists.
- Fixed-fee packages start at £89/month.
- Specialists in IR35 and related tax legislation.
- FreeAgent software included.
- Unlimited advice.
- There are no entry, exit, or other additional fees.
- Visit Aardvark Accounting here.
If you run a small business 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 and small limited companies. They will help you negotiate things like IR35, the Flat Rate VAT scheme, and the Employment Allowance. - 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.