How Much Does an Accountant Cost for a Sole Trader? (UK 2026)

If you’re self-employed and wondering whether to hire an accountant, the first question is usually the simplest: what’s it going to cost me? The honest answer for most UK sole traders is £60–£150 a month for ongoing support, or a one-off Self Assessment from around £150–£300 if that’s all you need.

Below you’ll find real 2026 price ranges, what makes the number go up or down, and a straight answer on whether it’s worth it for a sole trader at all — so you can compare quotes properly and never get a surprise bill.

How much does an accountant cost for a sole trader?

Here’s a realistic guide to what UK sole traders pay in 2026, broken down by what you actually need:

A few things worth knowing about those numbers:

• The Self Assessment-only price assumes reasonably tidy records. If you hand over a year of mixed receipts and bank statements, expect the higher end.
• VAT adds quarterly returns and, increasingly, more frequent digital filing — so it reliably pushes the monthly fee up.
• Some accountants still bill by the hour — usually £50–£150 per hour for general work. We’ll cover why that’s worth watching below.

Want a number for your situation rather than a range? You can get a fixed-price quote in about 24 hours — no obligation.

For the bigger picture across all business types, see our guides on how much an accountant costs in general and accountant fees for small business.

Monthly fixed fee vs one-off annual: which is cheaper?

This is the main decision for a sole trader, and the right answer depends entirely on what you need.

• One-off annual (Self Assessment only) — you pay once a year, typically £150–£300, for your tax return to be prepared and filed. Best if your income is simple, your records are already tidy, and you just want the return done correctly and on time.
• Fixed monthly fee — you pay the same agreed amount each month (usually £60–£150), and bookkeeping, your return and questions through the year are all included. Best if you want your records kept up to date, advice as you go, and no year-end scramble.

The thing to avoid is hourly billing without a clear cap. The most common complaint isn’t the rate — it’s the unpredictability. A “quick question” can quietly become a line on your invoice, and a year-end bill arrives larger than expected because “it depends how long it takes” was never pinned down. A fixed fee removes that anxiety; you can see exactly what our fixed pricing includes with no clock running in the background.

What should be included in the fee

A vague quote is a red flag. Before you compare prices, make sure you’re comparing the same thing. For a sole trader, a good fixed monthly fee should clearly state whether it includes:

• ✅ Your Self Assessment tax return, prepared and filed
• ✅ Bookkeeping, or a review of your bookkeeping
• ✅ VAT returns (if you’re registered)
• ✅ Bookkeeping software (Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent)
• ✅ Making Tax Digital filing as it rolls out
• ✅ A named accountant who answers calls and emails — not a ticket queue
• ✅ Unlimited questions through the year — not charged per call

If two quotes look far apart, it’s usually because one quietly leaves several of these out and bills them separately later.

What affects how much you’ll pay

Two sole traders with the same income can pay very different fees, because the price tracks how much work is involved, mainly:

• Turnover and transaction volume — more invoices, expenses and bank transactions mean more to reconcile.
• VAT registration — once your turnover passes the £90,000 VAT threshold you must register, which adds quarterly returns and ongoing work.
• The state of your bookkeeping — tidy digital records are cheap to work with; a shoebox of receipts costs more in time.
• Extra income types — rental income, a second self-employment or capital gains all add pages and work to your return.
• How behind you are — catch-up work for late or missing records is the single most common reason a quote comes in higher than expected.
• Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — from April 2026 it begins applying to self-employed people and landlords with income over £50,000, with over £30,000 following in April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028. It means keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates to HMRC instead of one annual return — more touchpoints through the year, which some accountants reflect in the fee.

Is an accountant worth it for a sole trader?

For most sole traders, yes — and here’s the honest way to judge it. A good accountant should save or protect more than they cost, through:

• Claimed expenses — making sure you claim everything you’re entitled to (home office, mileage, equipment, software) without overstepping.
• Avoided penalties — late or wrong Self Assessment filing attracts HMRC fines that add up fast; staying on time pays for itself.
• Time back — hours you’d spend wrestling with bookkeeping and rules, returned to actually earning.
• Peace of mind — knowing your tax is right, and having someone to ask before you make a decision rather than after.

When you can probably do it yourself: if you’re a low-income sole trader with a handful of transactions, no VAT and tidy records, filing your own Self Assessment directly with HMRC is realistic and free. The moment VAT, growing turnover, property income or Making Tax Digital enters the picture, an accountant usually earns their fee back. For a fuller breakdown, see is it worth getting an accountant.

Questions to ask before you sign

A few questions will quickly tell you whether an accountant is transparent:

1. Is this a fixed price, or could it change during the year?
2. Exactly what’s included — and what would be billed extra?
3. Will I be charged for asking questions by phone or email?
4. Who will actually do my work, and how quickly will you reply?

For the full 10-question checklist (including how to verify they’re properly qualified), see our guide to how to choose an accountant.

The bottom line

Most UK sole traders pay £60–£150 a month for ongoing support, or £150–£300 for a one-off Self Assessment — and the right accountant should save you more than they charge. What matters most isn’t the cheapest quote; it’s fixed, transparent pricing with no surprise fees and a real person you can actually reach.

This is general guidance rather than personal advice. If you’d like to know exactly what your situation would cost, request a fixed-price quote and I’ll come back to you within 24 hours, or take a look at our simple monthly pricing.