UK
Accountants and tax in the UK
Small business accountants, bookkeepers and tax returns. What to check in the UK, our guides for this section, and a quick way to get quotes.
What matters in the UK
Key points from our guides. Each card links to the full section.
Solicitors and other professionals
In England and Wales, solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) . You can check a solicitor or firm on the SRA's register before instructing them. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own law societies. For conveyancing, licensed conveyancers are an alternative, regulated separately.
From: Hiring tradespeople and professionals in the UKQualifications to look for: United Kingdom
"Accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, so anyone can use it. Look for membership of a recognised body: ICAEW or ICAS (chartered accountants), ACCA (chartered certified accountants), or CIMA. AAT members are qualified accounting technicians and many run practices serving sole traders and small companies.
From: Hiring an accountant for a small businessUnited Kingdom: Self Assessment
In the UK, people who are self-employed, have untaxed income such as rent, or meet certain other conditions file a Self Assessment return with HMRC. You can do it yourself online through your HMRC account, use commercial software, or hire an accountant or tax adviser.
From: Getting help with your tax returnQualifications and regulation: United Kingdom
Neither "bookkeeper" nor "accountant" is a protected title in the UK. Bookkeepers often hold qualifications from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) or AAT. Accountants may be members of ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA or AAT.
From: Bookkeeper vs accountant: which one you needFind an accountant in the UK
Describe what you need, from a tax return to monthly bookkeeping, and compare proposals from accountants.