How much does an accountant cost for a sole trader in Brighton?

Our average fee for a self-employed sole trader is £30 a month, or £75 a month if Making Tax Digital applies, and £295 a year if you only need a Self Assessment return filed. Your actual fixed fee is agreed at a free consultation before you commit.

What moves the fee

• How many income sources you have, and how many properties if you also let.
• The state of your records when you start.
• Whether Making Tax Digital applies to you, which adds four quarterly submissions a year.
• Whether you need payroll or VAT returns as well.

Our pricing page shows average fees by client type. They are a realistic guide to what most people in your position pay, not an introductory rate that creeps up later.

What the fixed fee covers

Your personal tax return, bookkeeping through MTD-ready software (Xero and QuickBooks also work), unlimited email and phone support with a same-day response under a fair use policy, HMRC correspondence handled for you, deadline reminders, and an annual tax planning review. Once the fee is agreed, it stays fixed.

Worked example

That is an illustration of how the maths can work, not a promise for every client. Some people have little to find. The tax return itself, being on time, and the peace of mind are still part of what the fee buys.

How to compare quotes

1. Ask exactly what is included: bookkeeping, MTD, HMRC letters, planning.
2. Ask whether the fee is fixed for the year or changes with the work.
3. Ask how fast questions get answered and by whom.
4. Check the firm is supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes and who its regulator or professional body is.

Common mistakes

• Choosing on the headline price without checking what is left out.
• Forgetting that MTD adds cost with some firms.
• Paying per query, then avoiding useful questions to save money.