Quick answer
Choose a Self Assessment accountant who is professionally qualified (ICAEW, ACCA or AAT), quotes a fixed fee, has strong independent reviews, understands your type of income and explains clearly what is included before you pay.
Updated October 2026 · Figures based on 2025/26 rates
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Check qualifications
Look for ICAEW, ACCA, AAT or other recognised bodies, and confirm the firm is registered for anti-money-laundering supervision. Anyone can call themselves an accountant, but only members of a chartered or certified body have passed professional exams and keep up continuing professional development. Check the member’s name on the body’s own online register and ask for evidence of professional indemnity insurance.
Look at pricing
Ask for a fixed fee and what could cause extra charges. Be wary of quotes that are very low with unclear scope. Get the fee in writing before work starts, with a clear list of what triggers extra charges.
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Read genuine reviews
Google reviews from verified customers give a better picture than testimonials chosen by the firm. Look for comments about meeting HMRC deadlines, clear communication and how the firm handled queries after filing.
Match their experience
If you are a landlord, CIS contractor or company director, choose a firm that regularly prepares similar returns.
What to check before you hire
Anyone in the UK can call themselves an accountant, so the title alone does not tell you much. The term “chartered” or “certified” is different, because it is tied to membership of a professional body. Ask which body, if any, the individual belongs to and check the member register on the body’s own website. Ask whether the firm is supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes, which UK accountancy firms are required to be, and whether they hold professional indemnity insurance.
Also check how the firm will act for you with HMRC. An agent normally needs your authorisation to deal with HMRC on your behalf, and you should understand exactly what they are allowed to do. You should always be able to see your own return before it is filed, and you should keep your own copy of everything.
Compare the way fees are charged
Quotes can look very different even when the work is the same. Some firms charge a fixed fee for a defined service, others bill by the hour, and some add extras for things such as a second source of income, rental property or a late return. Ask exactly what is in the price: gathering records, preparing the return, filing it, answering HMRC letters afterwards and giving a tax estimate. Also check whether VAT is included, because a price shown without VAT will be 20% higher at the till if the firm is VAT-registered.
A worked example of comparing three quotes
This is an illustrative example, not real quotes. A sole trader with straightforward records compares three offers for one Self Assessment return.
| Option | Working | Total including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Firm A: fixed fee | £199 + 20% VAT (£39.80) | £238.80 |
| Firm B: hourly rate | £90 x 4 hours = £360, + VAT £72 | £432.00 |
| Firm C: low fee plus extras | £150 + £60 for expenses + £40 for filing = £250, + VAT £50 | £300.00 |
The cheapest headline price is not always the cheapest outcome. Firm B’s hourly bill rises if your records are untidy. Firm C looks cheap until the extras are added. A fixed fee is easier to budget for, provided it clearly covers everything you need. The better question is not “what does it cost?” but “what exactly do I get, and what happens if my situation is more complicated than expected?”
Common mistakes
- Choosing solely on the lowest price without checking what is included.
- Not checking qualifications or professional body membership.
- Handing over records at the last minute, then paying extra for urgent work.
- Giving the accountant access to your Government Gateway login rather than authorising them as an agent.
- Assuming the accountant is responsible for providing the figures. You remain responsible for the accuracy of your information.
A short checklist
- Write down what you need: return only, bookkeeping, advice or all three.
- Ask for fixed written quotes from two or three firms.
- Check qualifications, supervision and insurance.
- Ask how records are shared and how you will approve the return.
- Confirm timescales and who to contact with questions.
Related reading
Our guides on how much a Self Assessment accountant costs, questions to ask before hiring, DIY Self Assessment or an accountant and fixed fee versus hourly accountants look at these points in more detail. For sole traders, see our sole trader service page.
SATR offers Self Assessment for a fixed fee from £199 + VAT, prepared by qualified UK accountants and filed online. You can see what is included before you order.
This is general information, not personal tax advice.
Matching the accountant to your situation
A person with only a salary and a small amount of savings interest has very different needs from a landlord with several properties or a director with dividends and a company car. Look for a firm that deals regularly with your type of case and can explain, in plain English, how it would approach it. If you have rental income, ask about Section 24 mortgage interest relief. If you are in the Construction Industry Scheme, ask how they treat deductions already taken. If you have income from abroad, ask about double taxation relief.
Questions that reveal quality
Good answers are specific. Ask how you will send records, how quickly they respond to messages and whether you get a calculation of the tax before filing. Ask how they handle HMRC letters after the return is filed and whether that is covered by the fee. Be wary of anyone who promises a particular refund before looking at your records, who suggests claiming costs that are not genuinely business costs, or who cannot explain their fee clearly.
Think beyond this year’s return
The best arrangement is one that helps you plan, not just file. Payments on account, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000, and changes in the way you take income can all matter in future years. A firm that tells you about these in advance is giving you more than a filing service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an accountant outside my area?
Yes. Online accountants can work with clients anywhere in the UK, so you are not limited to firms near you. Ask how they collect records and hold meetings — secure client portals and video calls are standard.
What should I ask before hiring?
Ask about fees and what is included, filing deadlines, what records they need from you, how you will approve the return before it is filed, and who to contact if HMRC writes to you afterwards.
Do I need a local accountant?
Not necessarily. Many Self Assessment returns can be handled entirely online, so location matters less than expertise and communication. The exception is complex affairs where you would prefer face-to-face meetings.
Can I change accountant mid-year?
Yes. You can end the arrangement at any time and appoint a new agent. Make sure your records are handed over, outstanding fees are settled and your previous agent is removed in HMRC’s systems so they stop receiving your correspondence.
Who is responsible if the return is wrong?
You remain legally responsible for the accuracy of your Self Assessment return, even if an accountant prepared it. A good accountant will take care over the preparation, but you must provide complete and accurate information.
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The Bottom Line
Choosing the right Self Assessment accountant comes down to three things: professional qualifications you can verify, a fixed fee that spells out exactly what is included, and experience with your type of income. Run through the checklist above, get everything in writing, and you will avoid the most common pitfalls.
If you would rather hand the whole job over, SATR prepares and files your Self Assessment for a fixed fee from £199 + VAT — done online by qualified UK accountants. Order online now or see our Self Assessment pricing.
