Legally, no — you don't have to use an accountant to run a limited company. You can file your own accounts, Corporation Tax return and confirmation statement. In practice, most directors do use one, because the time saved, the mistakes avoided and the tax planned for usually outweigh the fee. As a rough guide, accountancy for a small limited company tends to run from around £60–£150+ a month depending on what's included. This guide covers what an accountant actually does, what it should cost in 2026, and when you can sensibly do it yourself.
Filing rules are sourced to gov.uk. Fee figures are indicative market ranges, not fixed quotes — what you pay depends on your company and the services included.
What you have to do — with or without an accountant
A limited company has obligations that don't go away whether or not you hire help (gov.uk):
Annual accounts filed with Companies House.
A Corporation Tax return and payment to HMRC.
A confirmation statement each year (£50).
PAYE if you pay yourself or staff a salary, and VAT returns if registered.
Keeping proper accounting records.
You can do all of this yourself. The question is whether your time and the risk of getting it wrong are worth more than the fee.
Prepares and files your accounts, Corporation Tax and (often) your personal Self Assessment.
Runs your payroll and handles VAT.
Plans your tax — the salary/dividend split, allowable expenses, the timing that keeps you out of the higher-rate band — which is where the fee often pays for itself.
Keeps you compliant and on time, so you avoid penalties.
Answers the "can I…?" questions that stop you making expensive mistakes.
For most directors, that planning and the penalties avoided are the real value — not just the filing.
What it should cost in 2026
Accountancy fees vary with your company's size and what's bundled in. As an indicative guide for a small limited company:
Service level
Indicative monthly cost
Basic online accountant (accounts + CT + support)
~£60–£100
Fuller service (+ payroll, VAT, Self Assessment)
~£100–£150+
Bespoke / higher-turnover or complex
£150+
Online accountants advertise low monthly headline prices; local or more bespoke firms tend to charge more for a closer relationship. Treat advertised figures as a starting point and check exactly what's included — payroll, VAT, your personal tax return and references can all be extras. Cheapest isn't always best value if it leaves out the planning that saves you tax.
When you can do it yourself
DIY can make sense if:
Your company is very simple — one director, few transactions, no payroll or VAT.
You're confident with the filings and the deadlines.
Your profits are low, so there's little tax planning to gain.
Even then, many directors use accounting software and a once-a-year accountant check. As soon as there's payroll, VAT, dividends to plan, or real profit, the value of an accountant climbs quickly.
The right accountant isn't simply the cheapest — it's the one who handles your filings reliably and plans your tax, for a fee that makes sense for your company. Rather than wade through dozens of near-identical online offers, Go Limited connects you with a trusted partner accountant matched to your situation, so you get the service you need without overpaying for extras you don't. See our accountancy page, or read how to pay yourself from a limited company to see the kind of planning a good accountant brings.
Do I legally need an accountant for a limited company?
No. There's no legal requirement to use an accountant — you can prepare and file your own accounts, Corporation Tax return and confirmation statement. Most directors choose to use one because of the time saved, mistakes avoided and tax planned.
How much does an accountant cost for a small limited company?
Indicatively, around £60–£100 a month for a basic service and £100–£150+ for a fuller package including payroll, VAT and Self Assessment. Bespoke or higher-turnover companies pay more. Always check what's included rather than comparing headline prices alone.
Is it worth paying for an accountant?
Usually yes once your company has payroll, VAT, dividends to plan or real profit — the tax planning and avoided penalties often outweigh the fee. For a very simple, low-profit company, software plus an annual check may be enough.
What does an accountant do for a limited company?
Prepares and files your annual accounts and Corporation Tax return, runs payroll and VAT, often handles your personal Self Assessment, plans your tax (salary/dividend split, expenses, timing), and keeps you compliant and on deadline.
Can I do my own limited company accounts?
Yes, especially for a simple company — but you take on the responsibility for getting the filings and deadlines right. Mistakes can mean penalties or overpaid tax, so many directors at least have an accountant review their figures.
Legally, no — you don't have to use an accountant to run a limited company. You can file your own accounts, Corporation Tax return and confirmation statement. In practice, most directors do use one, because the time saved, the mistakes avoided and the tax planned for usually outweigh the fee. As a rough guide, accountancy for a small limited company tends to run from around £60–£150+ a month depending on what's included. This guide covers what an accountant actually does, what it should cost in 2026, and when you can sensibly do it yourself.
Filing rules are sourced to gov.uk. Fee figures are indicative market ranges, not fixed quotes — what you pay depends on your company and the services included.
What you have to do — with or without an accountant
A limited company has obligations that don't go away whether or not you hire help (gov.uk):
Annual accounts filed with Companies House.
A Corporation Tax return and payment to HMRC.
A confirmation statement each year (£50).
PAYE if you pay yourself or staff a salary, and VAT returns if registered.
Keeping proper accounting records.
You can do all of this yourself. The question is whether your time and the risk of getting it wrong are worth more than the fee.
Prepares and files your accounts, Corporation Tax and (often) your personal Self Assessment.
Runs your payroll and handles VAT.
Plans your tax — the salary/dividend split, allowable expenses, the timing that keeps you out of the higher-rate band — which is where the fee often pays for itself.
Keeps you compliant and on time, so you avoid penalties.
Answers the "can I…?" questions that stop you making expensive mistakes.
For most directors, that planning and the penalties avoided are the real value — not just the filing.
What it should cost in 2026
Accountancy fees vary with your company's size and what's bundled in. As an indicative guide for a small limited company:
Service level
Indicative monthly cost
Basic online accountant (accounts + CT + support)
~£60–£100
Fuller service (+ payroll, VAT, Self Assessment)
~£100–£150+
Bespoke / higher-turnover or complex
£150+
Online accountants advertise low monthly headline prices; local or more bespoke firms tend to charge more for a closer relationship. Treat advertised figures as a starting point and check exactly what's included — payroll, VAT, your personal tax return and references can all be extras. Cheapest isn't always best value if it leaves out the planning that saves you tax.
When you can do it yourself
DIY can make sense if:
Your company is very simple — one director, few transactions, no payroll or VAT.
You're confident with the filings and the deadlines.
Your profits are low, so there's little tax planning to gain.
Even then, many directors use accounting software and a once-a-year accountant check. As soon as there's payroll, VAT, dividends to plan, or real profit, the value of an accountant climbs quickly.
The right accountant isn't simply the cheapest — it's the one who handles your filings reliably and plans your tax, for a fee that makes sense for your company. Rather than wade through dozens of near-identical online offers, Go Limited connects you with a trusted partner accountant matched to your situation, so you get the service you need without overpaying for extras you don't. See our accountancy page, or read how to pay yourself from a limited company to see the kind of planning a good accountant brings.
Do I legally need an accountant for a limited company?
No. There's no legal requirement to use an accountant — you can prepare and file your own accounts, Corporation Tax return and confirmation statement. Most directors choose to use one because of the time saved, mistakes avoided and tax planned.
How much does an accountant cost for a small limited company?
Indicatively, around £60–£100 a month for a basic service and £100–£150+ for a fuller package including payroll, VAT and Self Assessment. Bespoke or higher-turnover companies pay more. Always check what's included rather than comparing headline prices alone.
Is it worth paying for an accountant?
Usually yes once your company has payroll, VAT, dividends to plan or real profit — the tax planning and avoided penalties often outweigh the fee. For a very simple, low-profit company, software plus an annual check may be enough.
What does an accountant do for a limited company?
Prepares and files your annual accounts and Corporation Tax return, runs payroll and VAT, often handles your personal Self Assessment, plans your tax (salary/dividend split, expenses, timing), and keeps you compliant and on deadline.
Can I do my own limited company accounts?
Yes, especially for a simple company — but you take on the responsibility for getting the filings and deadlines right. Mistakes can mean penalties or overpaid tax, so many directors at least have an accountant review their figures.
