Top 10 Online Accountants in the UK: A Complete Guide for 2026

Gone are the days of trudging to your accountant’s office with a shoebox full of receipts. Online accounting has completely transformed how British businesses manage their finances, and it’s easy to see why so many freelancers, sole traders, and small business owners are making the switch.

Online accountants offer the same services as traditional high-street firms—tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT filing, and payroll—but they do it all through the cloud. This means you can access your accounts from anywhere, get real-time support via email or chat, and often pay less than you would for a traditional accountant.

The benefits are hard to ignore. You’ll typically save money compared to traditional accounting fees, get quicker responses to your questions, and have all your financial information available at the click of a button. Plus, most online accountants integrate seamlessly with popular accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent, making your life even easier.

When you’re choosing an online accountant, you’ll want to look at a few key things: transparent pricing (no nasty surprises), the range of services they offer, how well they integrate with the software you’re already using, and what their customer support is like. You want someone who’ll actually answer the phone when you’ve got a question about your tax return, not just send you to a FAQ page.

What We Looked For

To put together this list, we’ve considered several important factors:

Pricing: Are their fees clear and reasonable? Nobody likes hidden charges or complicated 

Services offered: Do they cover everything you need? We’re talking tax returns, bookkeeping, payroll management, VAT returns, and self-assessment tax support.pricing structures.

Customer reviews: What are real clients saying? We’ve looked at Trustpilot scores, Google reviews, and customer feedback across various platforms.

Software integration: How well do they work with cloud accounting tools? The best online accountants make it easy to connect your existing software.

Customer support: Can you actually get hold of someone when you need help? We’ve looked at response times and availability.

Special features: Do they offer anything extra? This might include automated tax reminders, mobile apps, or dedicated account managers.

The Top 10 Online Accountants in the UK

1. Crunch Accounting

Crunch has built a solid reputation as one of the UK’s leading online accounting services, particularly amongst freelancers and small business owners.

What they offer: Crunch provides self-assessment tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll services, and corporation tax filing. Their software is straightforward to use, even if you’re not particularly numerate.

Pricing: Plans start from around £29.50 per month for sole traders, going up to about £49.50 for limited companies. They’re transparent about costs, which is refreshing.

Best for: Freelancers, contractors, and small businesses who want reliable, no-nonsense accounting support without breaking the bank.

2. ClearSky Accountancy

ClearSky specialises in helping startups and limited companies get their finances sorted from day one.

What they do: They offer company formation services, corporation tax returns, VAT registration and returns, bookkeeping, payroll, and business advisory services. They’re particularly good at explaining complex tax issues in plain English.

Pricing: Their packages start around £75 per month for limited companies, with different tiers depending on your business complexity.

Best for: Startups and limited companies that want a bit more hand-holding as they grow.

3. TaxPound — Featured Online Accountant

TaxPound has quickly become a popular choice for sole traders and small businesses looking for personalised accounting support at reasonable prices.

Core services: They cover self-assessment tax returns, corporation tax, bookkeeping, VAT returns, and HMRC correspondence. What sets them apart is their commitment to personalised service—you’re not just a number.

Pricing: Their plans are competitive, starting from around £30 per month for basic services, with packages tailored to different business sizes and needs. They’re upfront about what’s included, so there are no surprises.

What makes them special: TaxPound emphasises human support alongside their cloud-based platform. You get proper accountants who know your business, not just automated responses. They integrate well with popular accounting software and offer proactive tax planning advice to help you keep more of what you earn.

Ideal for: Sole traders, freelancers, and small businesses who want the convenience of online accounting with the reassurance of speaking to real, qualified accountants when needed.

4. FreeAgent Accounting

FreeAgent is both an accounting software provider and offers full-service accounting support, which gives them a unique edge.

What they offer: They provide cloud-based accounting software with features like automatic bank feeds, invoicing, expense tracking, and direct HMRC integration for Making Tax Digital compliance. Their full-service option includes dedicated accountants.

Pricing: The software alone costs from £14 per month, whilst their full-service accounting starts around £45 per month.

Pros: Excellent software that’s easy to use, great HMRC integration, and good for self-employed people.

Cons: The full accounting service can be pricier than some competitors.

Best for: Tech-savvy business owners who want powerful software with the option of professional support.

5. Molley

Molley positions itself as a modern accounting service for the digital age, with a clean interface and straightforward approach.

Services: Tax filing, bookkeeping, payroll processing, VAT returns, and company formations. They pride themselves on quick response times and easy-to-understand advice.

Pricing: Plans start from approximately £35 per month, varying based on business type and complexity.

Best for: Modern small businesses and freelancers who appreciate slick design and responsive customer service.

6. Mazuma Accounting

Mazuma has been around for a while and has built up a strong reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.

What they do: Tax returns for individuals and companies, comprehensive bookkeeping, payroll services, VAT returns, and general accounting advice. They’re particularly good for businesses that need regular, consistent support.

Pricing: Expect to pay from around £35 per month for basic services, with prices increasing based on your needs.

Best for: Established small and medium-sized businesses that want a dependable, well-established service.

7. QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping

If you’re already using QuickBooks or considering it, their Live Bookkeeping service offers a seamless experience.

What’s included: You get QuickBooks Online software plus access to qualified bookkeepers who can review your books, categorise transactions, and help with month-end closing. They don’t handle tax returns, though—you’d need a separate accountant for that.

Pricing: Plans start around £25 per month, but remember this is bookkeeping only, not full accounting services.

Who should choose it: Businesses already committed to the QuickBooks ecosystem who need bookkeeping support rather than full accounting services.

8. Xeinadin

Xeinadin is a larger firm that offers online services alongside their traditional practice, giving you the best of both worlds.

Services: VAT returns, tax planning and filing, bookkeeping, payroll, and business advisory services. They’ve got specialists in various industries, which can be helpful for niche businesses.

Pricing: Being a larger firm, they’re typically more expensive, with fees starting around £100+ per month depending on requirements.

Target audience: Growing businesses that need more sophisticated accounting support and industry-specific expertise.

9. Turner Little

Turner Little is an established firm that’s embraced online services whilst maintaining their traditional strengths.

Core offerings: They specialise in tax planning, company formations, international tax issues, VAT services, and bookkeeping. They’re particularly good if you’re dealing with cross-border tax matters.

Pricing: Their services tend to be at the higher end, reflecting their expertise, typically starting from £80+ per month.

Best for: Growing businesses, especially those with international operations or complex tax situations.

10. SJD Accountancy

SJD has carved out a niche serving contractors and freelancers, particularly those dealing with IR35 regulations.

Specialist services: Self-assessment tax returns, corporation tax, IR35 status reviews, tax efficiency planning, and contractor-specific advice. They really understand the challenges contractors face.

Pricing: Their standard packages start around £95 per month, which includes software and dedicated accountant support.

Recommended for: Contractors, freelancers, and limited company directors, especially those working inside IR35 or navigating complex contracting arrangements.

Quick Comparison

Online Accountant	Starting Price	Best For	Key Features
Crunch	£29.50/month	Freelancers & small businesses	User-friendly software, comprehensive services
ClearSky	£75/month	Startups & limited companies	Company formation, business advisory
TaxPound	£30/month	Sole traders & small businesses	Personalised support, competitive pricing
FreeAgent	£14/month (software)	Tech-savvy owners	Excellent software, HMRC integration
Molley	£35/month	Modern small businesses	Quick responses, clean interface
Mazuma	£35/month	Established SMEs	Reliable, consistent support
QuickBooks Live	£25/month	QuickBooks users	Seamless integration, bookkeeping focus
Xeinadin	£100+/month	Growing businesses	Industry specialists, comprehensive services
Turner Little	£80+/month	International businesses	Cross-border expertise, traditional + online
SJD	£95/month	Contractors	IR35 expertise, contractor-specific support

How to Choose the Right Online Accountant

Picking an online accountant isn’t rocket science, but it’s worth taking a bit of time to get it right.

Match services to your needs: Don’t pay for services you won’t use. If you’re a sole trader doing your own bookkeeping, you might just need help with your annual tax return. On the other hand, if you’re running a limited company with employees, you’ll need more comprehensive support.

Look at value, not just price: The cheapest option isn’t always the best. A slightly more expensive accountant who saves you a few hundred quid in tax each year is worth every penny.

Check software compatibility: If you’re already using accounting software, make sure your chosen accountant can work with it. There’s no point switching everything around just to accommodate your accountant.

Read the reviews: Have a look at Trustpilot and Google reviews. One or two bad reviews aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker (you can’t please everyone), but patterns of similar complaints should set alarm bells ringing.

Test their support: Before committing, send them a question or call their support line. Do they respond quickly? Are they helpful? This gives you a good idea of what working with them will be like.

Try before you buy: Many online accountants offer free consultations or trial periods. Take advantage of these to make sure they’re the right fit.

Common Questions

What exactly is an online accountant? An online accountant provides the same services as a traditional high-street accountant—tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT filing, and so on—but they do it all remotely using cloud-based software. You communicate via email, phone, or video calls rather than face-to-face meetings.

Can online accountants file returns with HMRC? Absolutely. Online accountants are fully qualified and authorised to file all your HMRC returns, including self-assessment tax returns, corporation tax, VAT returns, and payroll submissions. They’re Making Tax Digital compliant as well.

How secure is cloud accounting? Very secure, typically more so than paper records sat in your filing cabinet. Reputable online accountants use bank-level encryption, secure data centres, and regular backups. Your data is usually safer in the cloud than on your own computer.

What documents will I need to get started? This varies depending on your situation, but generally you’ll need: identification documents, your unique taxpayer reference (UTR) number, details of your income and expenses, bank statements, and records of any assets or investments. Your accountant will give you a specific list based on your circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right online accountant can make a real difference to your business and your stress levels. The accountants on this list all offer solid services, but the best one for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and the kind of support you’re looking for.

Take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to have conversations with a few different firms before making your decision. Most offer free initial consultations, so you can get a feel for whether they’re right for you without any commitment.

Remember, a good accountant doesn’t just file your tax returns—they help you understand your business finances better, spot opportunities to save money, and give you peace of mind that everything’s being handled properly.

What’s your experience with online accountants? If you’ve got questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.