Granite Accountants Aberdeen
Aberdeen · ACCA · AAT
4.3/5
49 reviews
Oil, gas and Aberdeen SME specialists
From £96/mo
Startup Accountants UK
Compare UK accountants for startups — company formation, SEIS/EIS, R&D tax credits, and scaling advice for early-stage businesses.
Startups need accountants who understand company formation, share schemes, SEIS and EIS relief, R&D tax credits, and cash-flow during early growth. The right startup accountant helps you choose the right structure (sole trader vs limited company), set up MTD-compatible software from day one, and plan for funding rounds and HMRC compliance as you scale.
Typical cost
£59/mo – £149/mo
30 firms offering startup
Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not financial advice and firms cannot pay to change a score.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you request quotes.Fees shown are indicative — always confirm directly with the firm.
4.1/5
421 reviews
Simple, transparent pricing for UK micro-businesses
From £66/mo
Belfast Business Tax
Belfast · ACCA · AAT
4.3/5
41 reviews
Northern Ireland SME accountants
From £82/mo
Brighton Coast Accounting
Brighton · ACCA · AAT
4.5/5
102 reviews
Creative and digital sector accountants
From £90/mo
Bristol Harbour Accountants
Bristol · ACCA · AAT
4.5/5
112 reviews
South West SME and startup specialists
From £94/mo
Cambridge Number Crunchers
Cambridge · ACCA · AAT
4.6/5
73 reviews
Tech and research sector accountants
From £114/mo
Cardiff Bay Accountants
Cardiff · ACCA · AAT
4.4/5
56 reviews
Welsh business and contractor accountants
From £84/mo
4.0/5
520 reviews
Low-cost online accountancy from £20/month
From £50/mo
4.3/5
312 reviews
Fully online accountancy for UK small businesses
From £83/mo
Frequently asked questions
Do startups need an accountant from day one?▼
Not legally, but most founders hire an accountant before or shortly after incorporation to set up proper records, register for taxes, and avoid costly mistakes with VAT, payroll, and Companies House filings.
How much does a startup accountant cost?▼
Startup packages typically start from £59–£99 per month for basic limited company compliance. Firms offering R&D tax credit claims, SEIS/EIS advice, or investor-ready accounts charge £100–£149+ monthly.
Should a startup be a sole trader or limited company?▼
Limited companies offer liability protection and tax efficiency above roughly £30,000 profit. Sole traders suit very early-stage testing with minimal revenue. An accountant can model both structures for your situation.
Can an accountant help with R&D tax credits?▼
Yes. Specialist startup accountants identify qualifying R&D expenditure and submit claims under the SME or RDEC schemes. Successful claims can return 14–33% of qualifying costs as tax relief or cash credits.