How Much Does Using an Accountant Cost? 

Here at Hillmans, we aim to answer all your accounting, tax and business questions—the common and the not-so-common. The most common question? Cost. We understand that choosing an accountant is a huge decision. So we aim to provide you with honest pricing information to help you budget for accounting services.

The cost of using an accountant is based on many factors. This includes whether the accountant is qualified, how big the accounting firm is and whether the fees are fixed and agreed upon upfront. In addition, many accountants will offer payment by monthly instalment to aid cash flow.  

Below we'll discuss in detail the costs of using an accountant and what you need to consider.
Is the accountant qualified?
How big is the accounting firm?
Are the fees fixed and agreed upfront?
We'll then detail the process we use to price our services.

First, let's take a look at how you can tell if an accountant is suitably qualified

In the United Kingdom anybody can set themselves up as an accountant. Unlike the terms ‘solicitor’, ‘doctor’ or ‘architect’ which are protected by law, the word ‘accountant’ is unprotected. 

There are many people offering accountancy and tax services to the public who hold no recognised qualifications, and their clients have no way of knowing whether they can rely on their expertise. This is why we believe that it is wise to seek the services of a fully qualified firm of Chartered Accountants.

We are proud to be registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Chartered Accountants have to complete a rigorous programme of examinations and practical work experience before attaining chartered status. Practitioners must have at least five years of practical experience and must have successfully completed further tests before they are licensed by the ICAEW to offer their services to businesses and the public.

If you use our services, you can rely upon:

- Our integrity, knowledge and expertise
- Our absolute respect for the confidentiality of your affairs
- Our regulatory body that ensures that standards are maintained
- Our strict framework of rules and ethics within which we operate 

You can view our listing on the ICAEW website here. 

We advise that you always check whether your accountant is listed on a recognised register to ensure they are suitably qualified. 

Next, you should consider the size of the accounting firm you are joining

Choosing the right accountant or accounting firm involves weighing up the size of the firm against the nature of its service.


Large Accounting Firms


Opting for a large accounting firm, with its extensive network of partners, employees, and offices, might leave small businesses feeling somewhat overlooked. In such settings, the service can lack a personal touch, with clients feeling more like just another account rather than a valued customer, not to mention the likelihood of facing higher fees.


Sole-Practitioner Accountants


At the other end of the spectrum, sole practitioner accountants can offer a more personalised service, yet they come with their own set of limitations. When the accountant is away on holiday, ill, or otherwise engaged, availability can become a significant concern. Although the costs might be lower, the risk of lacking timely support when it's most needed can pose a considerable downside.


A Personalised Team Approach with Hillmans


We believe Hillmans Chartered Accountants offers an ideal alternative, nestled perfectly between these two extremes. Our firm is characterised by its small, friendly team approach, providing bespoke and personal service that large firms can't match and sole practitioners struggle to sustain.


Unlike impersonal and imposing corporate settings or the confines of a sole practitioner's home office, Hillmans operates from a welcoming local shop-front office in Worle, Weston-super-Mare. Here, clients are not just encouraged but welcomed to pop in, fostering a sense of community and open dialogue to help ease the worry of often running a business alone. We aim to become an extension of your business!


Joining Hillmans means your business will be genuinely understood and valued. Our skilled accountants, bookkeepers, and administrators ensures you receive continuous, reliable support, combined with the depth of expertise to address your specific needs.


We pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming environment, both in our physical office and in every interaction, making business owners feel supported and part of a close-knit team.

Finally, we believe it’s important to ascertain whether the fees you are quoted are fixed

At Hillmans we like fixed-fees. As a small business ourselves, we don’t like receiving nasty invoicing surprises. We believe fixed fees provide certainty and agreeing to it upfront allows cash flow clarity. 

We also offer payment of our fixed fees by monthly instalment (Direct Debit) to aid your cash flow. 

Our pricing process.

We believe honesty is key and non-negotiable in business, so we won’t pretend that pricing accountancy services is simple. Unfortunately it isn’t, because every one of our clients is unique, with different needs, ambitions, time scales and deadlines. 

The way we arrive at a bespoke accounting package that meets your exact needs is through using our pricing software, in conjunction with a method we call ACCTA™. 

Our pricing software is completely transparent and pre-loaded with our pricing methodologies and services and allows us to achieve consistent pricing across our entire client base. We use the software in all our proposal meetings, and can automatically produce an instant fixed fee quotation for you to review. 

Our ACCTA™ method involves understanding and reviewing your:

- Aims (personal and business)
- Current position (where are you now)
- Challenges (what is preventing you from achieving your aims) 
- Time constraints (how quickly do you want to achieve your aims) 
- Accounting package is collaboratively built that meets your specific needs

The ACCTA™ method is trade mark of Hillmans Chartered Accountants.

FREE Consultation

The next step is to book your free 1 hour consultation - no charge, no obligation, just friendly free advice and a nice cup of coffee!