The Best Accountants for UK Businesses

Overall, the best accountant for businesses in the UK is Makesworth Accountants, an award-winning firm based in London. It offers expert advice and guidance, and boasts glowing customer reviews.

With the turn of the tax year approaching in April, now is an opportune moment to consider switching or signing up with an accountancy solution before FY25 begins. To help you find the right accountant for you, we’ve scoured the accounting industry, taking a look at each firm’s pricing, customer ratings, and the services they offer to identify the best accounting firms for your business.

If you want to get started with finding the right firm for your accounting needs, you can also use our free quote finding tool. Just give us a few brief details about your business, and we’ll match you up with trusted firms. They’ll then be in touch with tailored, no-obligation quotes for you to compare.

Makesworth Accountants – Best overall

What makes Makesworth Accountants a top accounting service?

A Harrow-based, award-winning firm with over 10 years of experience, Makesworth Accountants offers every service from payroll to business advice and tax planning. The firm’s use of cloud-based accounting software increases its speed, efficiency, and accuracy.

Makesworth has earned 5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot – a highly coveted position, with many customers reporting that the service is extremely friendly, as well as efficient. Many found that their questions were answered quickly, and every reviewer was happy with the firm’s services.

The firm uses cloud-based solutions, which increases efficiency and reliability. Plus, Makesworth goes beyond just offering accounting services – also giving customers helpful advice and guidance. This firm might be the right one for your business if you want or need advice and guidance, and not just services. If you don’t need a lot of guidance, and simply want your accounting tasks to be carried out by professionals in the background, you might be better off with a firm such as Debitam.

The initial consultation is free, and the services Makesworth offers include payroll, VAT, year-end accounts, tax returns, and bookkeeping. You’ll have 24/7 access to your accounts via an online portal, so you always know what’s going on. And, if you’re switching from another firm, Makesworth promises a ‘no hassle switch’.

Debitam – Best for basic accounting services

What makes Debitam a top accounting service?

One of Debitam’s key features is that it offers tailored pricing for your specific needs, which means its pricing is transparent and you only ever pay for the exact service you need. For example, an accounts and tax return will cost £299 plus VAT. This service includes a tax return CT600 filing to Companies House and HMRC for micro businesses. If your needs are more bespoke, you can request a custom quote to see the firm’s fees up front.

With a 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 3,000 reviews, you can be sure Debitam offers a great service. Customers have reported that they’re impressed with Debitam’s speed, efficiency, and friendly service. That said, some users have reported that they receive spam mail from the firm, which can be a huge nuisance.

Debitam operates online, but offers the option to meet with a member of their team, in or around London. If you’re not located in or near London, this could be difficult for you – plus, future contact will not typically occur in person. So if you’re looking to meet with your accountant regularly, Debitam might not be the right fit for you.

This firm is geared towards small businesses, offering convenient, affordable, and quick solutions to typically complex accounting tasks. It specialises in filing, and carries out all statutory compliance and filing to HMRC and Companies House. This includes payroll, bookkeeping, and tax returns.

Debitam also offers same-day service for any last minute filings. There is an extra charge for this, but it will help you avoid any late filing fees. These fines can range from £150 for a one month late filing to £1500 if it’s over five months late – so they’re best avoided.

TWB Accountants – Best for small businesses

What makes TWB Accountants a top accounting service?

TWB (Three Wise Bears) Accountants offer accounting services, tax advice, and business forecasting. TWB uses Xero accounting software, and provides assistance when switching over if your business previously used traditional accounting solutions or a different software. The firm’s team are Xero-certified and know how to use the software without any blips or issues. Training is offered if you or anyone in your business needs it, so you can also use Xero with ease.

TWB Accountants has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, which is positive, but this is only from 68 reviews, so it may not be the most accurate reflection of the firm. That said, clients have reported that the accountants are helpful, friendly, and professional. Your business will have a dedicated accountant who’ll get to know you and your business well, and be able to offer tailored, useful advice.

TWB claims that it’s best suited to help start-ups, small businesses, creatives, landlords, ecommerce sellers, limited companies, and sole traders. You’ll need to request a quote directly with TWB, as the firm doesn’t advertise its pricing. This means the cost will most likely be based around the size of your business, and your specific accountancy needs. If you want more than just traditional accountancy and are looking for business development and marketing tools, you might be better suited to Pearl Chartered Accountants. However, if you only want core tax and accountancy services, TWB is a great fit.

The firm itself is fairly small and made up of chartered accountants, so you know they have the necessary expertise and knowledge to deal with your business’s accountancy and tax. As a small specialist firm, you can develop a relationship with your accountant, making this a suitable match for you if you’re looking for that personal touch.

Pearl Chartered Accountants – Best for add-on features

What makes Pearl Chartered Accountants a top accounting service?

Pearl Chartered Accountants is regulated by ICAEW, one of the UK’s premier accounting bodies, so you can be confident your business is in safe hands with this firm. Pearl’s pricing is transparent, with monthly packages priced at £49 per month plus VAT for start-ups, and £99 per month plus VAT for larger businesses. The start-up package includes a complete bookkeeping service, a dedicated account manager, and unlimited accountancy support.

You have the option of a flexible rolling monthly contract, or you can choose to pay annually, which gives you a discount. For start-ups, the cost goes down to £44 per month, and for other businesses, £94 per month.

Pearl’s business packages come in three tiers, suitable for small, medium, and large businesses. If you run a small business, but want services that aren’t included in the Classic package — such as tax investigation or legal support — you can choose to add these on at a cost. Business legal support is priced at £7.50 per month, and tax investigation is £15 per month.

Pearl also offers marketing features, such as website building and hosting, branding, and SEO. The firm will deal with designing a website for your business, and even manage your social media. Once your website’s up and running, the firm offers website and hosting packages that start from £89 per month. This means Pearl will deal with the hosting and security of your website and continue maintenance of the site.

Unlike most other accounting firms, Pearl is not just limited to accounting services. As well as marketing services, you can also choose business mentoring, priced at £500 per month, or even the provision of a part-time financial director for your business, also £500 per month.

If you want a firm that can help your business grow and evolve, Pearl Accountants is a great fit. You don’t have to go for these add-ons and premium features straightaway, but as your business scales, you can make the journey that much smoother by opting for these helpful services.

Pearl is not as personable and friendly as other firms, such as Makesworth Accountants, but in comparison, it offers a lot more, with transparent pricing, too. The pricing and features available make Pearl suitable for every business size and industry, but we think it’s especially suited to businesses that want integrated marketing, business, and accounting services.

SJPR Accountants – Best for business growth

What makes SJPR a top accounting service?

SJPR accountants offer bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, tax planning, finance, and business consulting for businesses, individuals, and charities in the UK. SJPR’s customer service team is made up of accountants, so you’ll always be able to get in contact with an accountant when you need help.

SJPR’s office is paperless, so you can use its app to send in relevant information, or bring your documents to the firm’s office to be scanned. The app makes it convenient and easy for you to send over your paperwork, plus you’ll have it all stored in one place.

As a client of SJPR, you’ll have access to the firm’s software, so you can stay up to date with your businesses accounting. This is especially helpful so you can have a clear view of your business’s accounts, and be able to make accurate and informed decisions.

SJPR also deals with any work that needs to happen for HMRC or Companies House, such as filing. The firm also helps businesses that are staring out, and can help you build from the ground up.

A unique feature of this firm is that it can assist businesses in looking for funding, making this suitable for businesses that are looking for more than just tax and accountancy services. If you’re considering investing in and growing your business, SJPR is a one-stop shop. Unlike Pearl Chartered Accountants, though, it doesn’t offer additional services such as marketing, so the best firm for you will depend on your unique business needs.

Importantly, SJPR also offers services in multiple languages, so if your first language isn’t English, you can still discuss complex issues with your accountant.

The best alternative accounting firms

If you’re still on the hunt for the right firm for your business, Just Accountants is a leading accountancy introducer. This means JA will find the right accountant for you, no matter the industry your business is in.

JA’s model is based on finding high-quality accountants for individuals, businesses, and charities. It’s a good option for you if you’re finding it difficult to narrow down your requirements and find the firm that’s best suited to your business.

How much do accounting services cost?

Accounting services costs for a small business are around £500 a year. Basic accounting services costs around £25 to £90 an hour, whereas specialist services can cost £120 to £150 an hour.

A one-off basic task is around a couple hundred pounds. More complex services will usually incur a higher fee.

What to look for in an accountant

You should choose a chartered accountant as they’ll have the relevant expertise and knowledge. You also want an accountant that’s ready to offer professional advice to help navigate you through the choppy waters of business accounting.

Your accountant should have great reviews online, so you can verify that they’re reputable and professional.