Contractor Accountants – compare fees and costs [2026]

Contractor accountant fees vary considerably, so it pays to check what you’ll be charged – and what you’ll get for your money.

In this guide: compare our partner accountants and 20+ other firms, what their fees include, and what to look for when choosing an accountant.

Fees last updated August 2026 and exclude VAT.

Our Partner Accountants (Monthly Fees)

What do accountants’ fees typically include?

There are no industry-standard ‘minimum packages’ or hard and fast rules on what contractor accountants’ fees should include.

That said, contractor accountants’ fees typically cover the following services:

Basics you should expect

• Registering your company. These days, you can quickly, easily, and cheaply set up a limited company online. But if your company has an unusual structure — for example, you’d like your spouse to be a director or shareholder, or there are other particular circumstances surrounding your business, it’s worth getting expert help and advice.
• Preparing and filing your annual accounts
• Dealing with other Companies House formalities, including filing your annual confirmation statement. There’s a £50 fee for filing this; your accountant may charge it separately, so don’t forget to ask.
• Preparing and filing your Corporation Tax return
• Handling correspondence from HMRC (this can be worth its weight in gold!)
• Running your monthly payroll. Most contractor accountants’ packages include payroll for one director — you — and you may need to pay extra if you have other staff.
• Completing and submitting your quarterly VAT returns
• Advising you on how to run your business as tax-efficiently as possible, including salary and dividend planning
• Answering any tax or accounting-related questions you may have

Many accountants also provide the following services

• Preparing and filing your self assessment tax return
• Bookkeeping, including providing you with access to Making Tax Digital-compatible accounting software
• Acting as your company’s registered office. This means you can use your contractor accountant’s address on your invoices and other official business correspondence
• Business insurance, including professional indemnity and business liability cover.
• IR35 contract reviews. This is an expert opinion on whether a particular contract falls within or outside the scope of the IR35 legislation.
• Helping you open a business bank account
• Other financial services, such as mortgage and pension advice

Depending on the firm, these services may be included in the standard fee or charged separately.

The more services that are included in your package, the more expensive it will be.

More contractor accountants to consider

Here are some more specialist contractor accountants and the services they offer.

Are you a contractor who has used one of the accountants on these lists?

We’d love to hear about your experience. Email us at info@itcontracting.com.

We’re also happy to chat if you work with one of these firms and would like us to add you to our comparison table.

Three questions to help find the best accountant

While knowing what fees you must pay and what they include (and don’t include) is essential, it shouldn’t be the only criteria you use to decide who to hire as your contractor accountant.

Your contractor accountant will handle your most sensitive business data — your financials. In addition to fitting within your budget, they should be someone you like and trust.

Here are three key questions you should ask yourself to make sure you make the right choice:

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1. What are their qualifications?

You don’t need formal qualifications to work as an accountant in the UK. However, reputable firms require their staff to hold at least the AAT Foundation Certificate, an entry-level qualification that provides a solid foundation.

Most accountants typically go on to obtain a more advanced AAT qualification, an ATT, ACCA, or CIMA qualification, or a university degree.

Often, they also register with a recognised professional body, such as ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) or ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Most accountants proudly display their qualifications on their websites and other marketing materials. But you don’t have to take their word for it.

You can confirm that an accountant is qualified by checking their details in the ACCA directory or the ICAEW website. Alternatively, try the FCSA (Freelancers and Contractor Services Association) directory or the IPSE marketplace.

2. How do they work?

Would you prefer regular in-person meetings with your accountant, or would you like to handle everything online?

Are you okay with speaking to whoever is available at that moment? Or would you prefer a dedicated accountant who will become thoroughly familiar with your business?

Like you, accountants all have their own personal preferences and ways of working. So, to have a fruitful and satisfying relationship (and save yourself some aggravation), you should make sure these match your own.

There’s also a practical reason to make sure you’re on the same page about how you’ll work together: it may increase your costs.

If your chosen firm prefers to work online, for instance, their fees may include unlimited email communication but only a set number of face-to-face meetings per year.

Therefore, if you prefer to discuss issues in person, you may incur additional fees beyond your monthly package.

Make sure you also find out if a new firm will charge any catch up fees when you switch.

3. Are they specialists?

While a generalist accountant may be highly knowledgeable and experienced, they won’t necessarily understand how contracting works.

As a contractor, you face unique financial challenges.

For one, contracting involves navigating the complexities of laws like the dreaded IR35.

Second, you’ll want to get paid as tax-efficiently as possible. This means striking the right balance between your salary and dividend income and making the most of any tax relief opportunities available to you.

Falling foul of the tax laws can have serious consequences down the line.

It’s worth ensuring your chosen accountant is familiar with how you work, how you get paid, and the relevant rules you need to be mindful of, as this will give you added peace of mind.

Hiring a contractor accountant? Think value, not price

When hiring a new accountant, researching the costs makes perfect sense. Nobody likes paying more for a product or service than they have to. Additionally, make sure that the services included in their fees meet your requirements.

At the same time, it’s worth remembering that your accountant is more than just a service provider. They’re also a trusted advisor who can help you move your business forward.

So, while they may seem more expensive than others, a good accountant will likely pay for themselves in future tax savings and by making sure you don’t get in hot water with HMRC.