A buyer's guide
Choosing an accountant for your UK company
A UK company must file its accounts and confirmation statement every year, and normally a Corporation Tax return too, wherever its director lives. Here is what accountants usually charge, the questions worth asking any of them, and our own answers, so you can compare like with like.
What accountants usually charge
Published guides put year-end accounts and the Corporation Tax return at about £500 to £1,500 a year as a one-off fee (AccountsOS, updated June 2026), and monthly packages for a director with no employees at about £60 to £100 a month, usually including the director's Self Assessment (GoForma, updated September 2026). Both are firms' own guides, not independent surveys. Bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns usually cost extra.
Our published prices
- Accounts & Tax, for trading companies with turnover under £50,000 (the accounts and the Corporation Tax return only): from £498 a year
- Company Compliance, for active companies, with the confirmation statement, registered office and director ID verification: from £890 a year
- Managed Finance, with bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and a dedicated manager: from £398 a month
- Dormant and holding companies: ask us for a price
Questions to ask any accountant, and our answers
Ask every accountant you are considering the same questions, and compare the answers.
- Will they explain everything in a language you are comfortable with?
- We work in Arabic and English, in writing, by phone and on WhatsApp, and our ACCA-qualified accountants speak Arabic.
- Are they regulated, and by whom?
- Fileminder Ltd is AAT-regulated, authorised by Companies House as an ACSP, supervised for anti-money laundering and covered by professional indemnity insurance, and works with ACCA-qualified accountants.
- Can they verify your identity for Companies House without you travelling to the UK?
- Yes. As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) we can verify directors remotely. A current passport from any country works; a national ID card, such as an Emirates ID, is checked against the current Companies House standard first.
- Do they work with directors who live outside the UK?
- Yes. We work with UK company directors wherever they live, in the UK or abroad, and specialise in Arabic speakers. Our support hours follow the Gulf working week: Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm GST.
- Is the price published, and agreed before any work starts?
- Our prices are published as "from" prices on our Pricing page, and your price is agreed with you before we start. No VAT is added to our fees.
- What exactly is included, and what costs extra?
- Each plan lists what it covers on our Pricing page. A director's Self Assessment return is priced separately, from £360, and bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns can each be added on their own.
- Can you meet them in person?
- Yes, at our office at 159A Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7HU. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm London time, or you can book a time.
- How do you send them your documents?
- By email to support@fileminder.co.uk, when we ask for them. WhatsApp is for getting in touch, not for sending documents.
- Will they handle the switch from your current accountant?
- Yes. Switching to us costs nothing from us, and we arrange the handover with your current accountant. Your previous accountant may still bill for work they have already done.
When another accountant may suit you better
If you live in the UK, prefer to work in English and want the lowest price for a simple trading company, a low-cost online accountant may charge less than our Company Compliance plan. If your company's turnover is under £50,000, compare our Accounts & Tax plan, from £498 a year.
Disclaimer
General educational guidance only, not legal, tax, accounting, immigration, investment or financial advice. We don't guarantee the information is complete, current or suitable for your situation. Always check official sources (GOV.UK, Companies House, HMRC, the relevant professional body) and speak to a qualified professional before acting. Last reviewed: October 2026.