Accountants for sole traders and partnerships
A sole trader or partnership might be a dental practice, a car mechanic, a repair shop, an off licence, a plumber or a freelance writer. Whatever the trade, you are responsible for your own books, and we are here to keep you on top of them.
AccountsHelp prepares sole trader and partnership accounts, Self Assessment returns and partnership tax returns on a fixed monthly fee, working with self-employed people and small partnerships across the United Kingdom from its Bromley office.
- Self-employed people filing their first Self Assessment return
- Established sole traders who want the bookkeeping off their desk
- Two or more partners who need partnership accounts and a partnership return
- Anyone weighing up whether to incorporate
As a sole trader you are responsible for managing your own books and for the accuracy of what goes on your tax return. We keep the records straight through the year rather than reconstructing them in January, which is when mistakes and missed claims happen.
- Accounts and tax returns filed on time without the January scramble
- Every allowable expense claimed, so you do not overpay
- A straight answer on whether incorporating would save you tax
Choose the package that fits
All-inclusive fixed fees, agreed before any work starts. There are no hidden charges at the year end.
Regular
For a straightforward small sole trader
All inclusive fixed monthly fee
What's included
- Annual sole trader accounts
- Self Assessment tax return preparation and submission
- Review of allowable expenses and capital allowances
- Unlimited access to your accountant
Regular Plus
For an established sole trader or partnership
All inclusive fixed monthly fee
What's included
- Annual accounts for the trade or partnership
- Partnership tax return where applicable
- Self Assessment returns for the partners
- VAT preparation and submissions
- Bookkeeping support on Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent
- Unlimited access to your accountant
Bespoke
For a custom-made business setup
Priced to your requirements
How bespoke pricing works
- Multiple trades or property interests handled together
- Payroll and CIS where you take on staff or subcontractors
- Management information at the frequency you need
- Still a fixed monthly fee, agreed before we start
What happens when you get in touch
We agree what you need at a free first consultation, then set a fixed monthly fee. Most sole traders send us their records through the year and we deal with the rest. Where a partnership is involved we prepare the partnership accounts and return, and the individual returns for each partner.
Common questions
How much does an accountant cost for a sole trader?
Our Regular service starts at £20 per month for a straightforward sole trader, covering the annual accounts and the Self Assessment return. Regular Plus is £50 per month for an established sole trader or partnership and adds VAT, bookkeeping support and partnership returns.
When do I need to register as self-employed?
You must register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started trading. For example, if you began trading in June 2026, which falls in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, you register by 5 October 2027. Registering late can attract a penalty, so it is worth doing early.
What records do I need to keep as a sole trader?
Sales and income, all business expenses, VAT records if you are registered, PAYE records if you employ anyone, and personal income records. HMRC expects sole traders to keep these for at least five years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year.
Should I stay a sole trader or set up a limited company?
It depends on profit level, how much you draw out, your appetite for filing obligations and whether limited liability matters in your trade. Above a certain profit a company is usually more tax efficient, but it brings public filing and more admin. We will run the comparison on your actual numbers and tell you plainly which is better.
What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and does it affect me?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requires digital record keeping and quarterly updates to HMRC rather than one annual return. It applies to self-employed people and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 from 6 April 2026, with lower thresholds phased in afterwards. If it applies to you we will move you onto compatible software in good time.
How is a partnership taxed?
A partnership is not taxed itself. It files a partnership return showing the profit and how it is split, and each partner then reports their share on their own Self Assessment return and pays income tax and National Insurance on it. We prepare both the partnership return and the individual returns.
Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation
We will review your circumstances together, identify the accounting and tax services you actually need, and quote a fixed fee before any work starts.
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