Online Accountants for UK Businesses
Professional online accounting and tax services from ACCA qualified accountants, wherever you are in the UK.
From annual accounts and Corporation Tax to Self Assessment, get straightforward professional support without the need for regular visits to an accountant's office.
What Is an Online Accountant?
An online accountant is a professional accountant who provides accounting and tax services remotely, allowing you to send records digitally, communicate by telephone, email or secure online systems, approve accounts electronically and complete relevant filings without regularly visiting an accountant's office.
The Online Accountants provides online accounting services throughout the UK. Our ACCA qualified accountants work with limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, LLPs and individuals, combining professional accounting expertise with a convenient digital service and transparent fixed prices for many common accounting requirements.
What Can Our Online Accountants Help With?
Access professional UK accounts and tax services wherever you are. Choose the service that best matches your business or personal tax requirements.
Limited Company Accounts
Statutory annual accounts, Corporation Tax calculations, CT600 preparation and electronic filing with Companies House and HMRC.
Limited company accounts →Sole Traders & Self-Employed
Year-end accounts and Self Assessment support for sole traders, freelancers and self-employed businesses across the UK.
Self-employed accounts →Partnership Accounts
Partnership accounts and tax filing support for businesses operated jointly by two or more partners.
Partnership accounts →LLP Accounts
Statutory LLP accounts, Companies House filing and partnership tax return assistance through one online accounting team.
LLP accounts →Self Assessment
Professional preparation, tax calculations and electronic filing of UK Self Assessment tax returns with HMRC.
Self Assessment service →Cloud Accounting
We can work with records from Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and FreeAgent, as well as appropriately organised spreadsheets and other digital records.
Ask our accountants →Who Are Online Accountants Suitable For?
Online accountancy can suit businesses and individuals who are comfortable exchanging records electronically and do not need regular face-to-face meetings.
Because the service is delivered remotely, you can choose an accountant based on their expertise, service and pricing rather than simply choosing the nearest accountancy office.
This approach can work particularly well for owner-managed businesses, contractors, consultants, landlords, professional services firms, e-commerce businesses and people already using cloud bookkeeping software.
Online accountancy may suit you if you:
- Want access to a UK accountant without regular office visits
- Already keep bookkeeping records electronically
- Prefer telephone, email and digital communication
- Want transparent pricing before work begins
- Run a limited company or owner-managed business
- Are self-employed, a contractor or freelancer
- Operate a partnership, LLP or property business
- Want your accountant to deal with relevant online filings
How Does an Online Accountant Work?
The professional accounting work is much the same as with a traditional accountant. The main difference is that records, communication and approvals can be handled digitally.
Choose Your Service
Select the accounts or tax service you require, or contact us if you are unsure which service applies.
Send Your Records
Provide your accounting information securely or give us access to your bookkeeping software where appropriate.
We Prepare & Review
Your accountant reviews the information and prepares the relevant accounts, tax calculations and returns.
Approve & File
You review and approve the documents before applicable returns are submitted electronically.
Online Accountant vs Traditional High-Street Accountant
Online accountants and traditional accountancy firms can provide many of the same professional services. The main difference is normally how the service is delivered, rather than the underlying accounting work.
| Feature | Online Accountant | Traditional Accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Telephone, email and online | Often a mixture of office and remote contact |
| Providing records | Digital records, uploads or cloud software | Digital and/or paper records |
| Location | Choose accountants throughout the UK | Often selected locally |
| Document approval | Usually electronic | Electronic or paper |
| Pricing | Often fixed or packaged by service | Fixed fee or hourly, depending on the firm |
| Office visits | Usually unnecessary | May be available or preferred |
Neither model is automatically right for everyone. If you value regular face-to-face meetings, a local office may be important. If you are comfortable working digitally, an online accountant can give you access to professional support regardless of where you live or operate your business.
Is an Online Accountant the Same as Accounting Software?
No. Accounting software and an online accountant perform different roles.
Software such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and FreeAgent helps record and organise financial transactions. An accountant can review those records, consider the appropriate accounting and tax treatment, prepare accounts and returns and apply professional judgement.
The two can work together particularly well: your bookkeeping software maintains the underlying records while your accountant deals with the professional accounting and tax work.
What should you expect from an online accountant?
- Professional accounting expertise
- A clearly defined service
- Transparent fees before work begins
- Secure handling of financial information
- Professional review of accounts and returns
- Your approval before relevant submissions
- HMRC and Companies House support where applicable
- A real accountancy firm responsible for the work
How Much Does an Online Accountant Cost?
Online accountant fees vary according to the service required, the size and complexity of the business, the quality of the accounting records and exactly what is included in the quoted fee.
When comparing online accountants, look beyond the headline price. Check whether accounts preparation, tax calculations, Companies House filing, HMRC submissions and accountant support are included or charged separately.
Fixed-Price Limited Company Accounts
Our limited company annual accounts service includes statutory accounts, Corporation Tax calculation, CT600 preparation and the relevant Companies House and HMRC filing work for companies within our advertised service bands.
- Statutory annual accounts
- Corporation Tax calculation
- CT600 preparation and submission
- Companies House filing
- Professional accountant review
Subject to the applicable service band and terms.
For a wider comparison of our available services and prices, see our accountants' fees page.
Why Choose Our UK Online Accountants?
Being online should make working with your accountant more convenient. It should not mean giving up professional expertise or access to a real accountant.
ACCA Qualified
Professional accounting support from ACCA qualified accountants experienced in UK accounts and taxation.
Fixed Prices
Clear prices for defined services so you can understand the cost and what is included before instructing us.
Accountant-Led Service
Online accountancy does not mean being left to deal solely with automated software. Professional accountants remain responsible for the work.
UK-Wide Service
Work with our accountants from anywhere in the UK without needing to travel to an accountancy office.
Digital Process
Accounting information, records and approvals can be exchanged electronically throughout the process.
Straightforward Advice
We aim to explain accounts and tax matters clearly, without making straightforward issues unnecessarily complicated.
Can I Switch to an Online Accountant?
Yes. You can normally change accountants even if another firm prepared your previous accounts or tax returns.
Once a new accountant has been appointed, they can usually contact the previous firm to request the professional information required to take over the work, subject to the appropriate client authority and professional clearance procedures.
Moving to an online accountant mainly changes how you communicate and exchange information. Your underlying responsibilities to HMRC and Companies House do not change simply because your accountant works remotely.
Ask About Switching Accountants →Already using cloud accounting?
If your bookkeeping is already maintained electronically, changing to an online accountant can be particularly straightforward because much of the financial information is already available digitally.
- Xero
- QuickBooks
- Sage
- FreeAgent
- Spreadsheets and organised digital records
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers to common questions about using an online accountant in the UK.
What is an online accountant?
An online accountant provides professional accounting and tax services remotely. Records can be supplied digitally, communication can take place by telephone, email or online systems, documents can be approved electronically and relevant returns can be submitted online where the service includes filing.
Are online accountants qualified accountants?
Not every business using the description "online accountant" will necessarily have the same professional qualifications, so you should check the credentials of the firm you are considering. The Online Accountants provides services through ACCA qualified accountants experienced in UK accounts and taxation.
Are online accountants suitable for limited companies?
Yes. Limited company accounting can generally be handled remotely. Bookkeeping information can be supplied electronically and statutory accounts and Corporation Tax returns can be prepared, approved and filed digitally.
How much does an online accountant cost?
Fees depend on the service required, the size and complexity of the business and what is included. Our fixed-price limited company annual accounts service currently starts from £349 + VAT for companies within our advertised Small service band.
Do I need accounting software to use an online accountant?
Not necessarily. Cloud bookkeeping software can make exchanging financial information easier, but depending on the service it may also be possible to provide appropriately organised spreadsheets or other digital accounting records.
Can an online accountant file accounts with Companies House?
Yes. Where this forms part of the agreed service, an accountant can prepare the appropriate statutory accounts and arrange electronic filing with Companies House after the accounts have been approved.
Can an online accountant submit tax returns to HMRC?
Yes. Accountants can act as agents for clients and submit relevant tax returns electronically to HMRC where appropriately authorised and where filing forms part of the agreed service.
Can I use an online accountant anywhere in the UK?
Yes. Because records and communication can be handled remotely, your accountant does not generally need to be located in the same town or city as you. The Online Accountants provides online accounting services throughout the UK.
What is the difference between an online accountant and a high-street accountant?
Both can provide professional accounting and tax services. The principal difference is usually how you communicate and exchange records. Online accountants use digital records, electronic approvals and remote communication rather than relying on regular office visits and physical paperwork.
Can I change from my current accountant?
Yes. Businesses and individuals can change accountants. Once authorised, the new accountant can normally request the appropriate professional information from the previous firm through the usual professional clearance process.
About The Online Accountants
The Online Accountants is a UK online accountancy firm providing professional accounts and tax services to businesses and individuals throughout the United Kingdom.
Our services are delivered remotely by ACCA qualified accountants. We work with limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, LLPs and individual taxpayers, with fixed-price services available for many common accounting and tax requirements.
The Online Accountants is a trading name of Parkinson (UK) Limited, registered in England and Wales. Our office is at The Gallery, Kings Wharf, The Quay, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4AN.
Ready to Work With an Online Accountant?
Get professional UK accounting support without travelling to an office. Compare our fixed-price services or speak to our accountants about the accounts or tax service you need.