Small business · Chartered accountants

Accountants for small businesses that want to grow

Clearsight is a UK firm of chartered accountants for small businesses: sole traders, contractors and owner-managed limited companies. Year-end accounts, corporation tax, VAT, payroll, self assessment and management accounts, handled on one fixed monthly fee by a named, ACCA-qualified adviser who tells you what your numbers mean.

Book a discovery callCall 02921 508 555
  • One fixed monthly fee, agreed before any work starts
  • A named adviser, not a support inbox
  • Cloud accounting on Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent
  • Company and personal tax handled together

What does a small business accountant do?

Everything your business needs to stay compliant, plus the accounting services that actually move the business forward. All of it from one firm, so nothing falls between advisers:

What type of accounting does your business need?

The right setup depends on the stage you're at: a sole trader and a VAT-registered company with staff need very different things from a business accountant:

Your stageWhat you needWhat to watch
Sole traderSelf assessment, bookkeeping and expense adviceThe jump to VAT registration, and whether incorporating would save you tax
Small limited companyYear-end accounts, corporation tax, director's self assessment, salary & dividend planningFiling deadlines, director's loan accounts, and reliefs going unclaimed
Growing company (VAT & staff)All of the above plus VAT returns, payroll and pension auto-enrolmentCash flow visibility: this is where monthly management accounts start paying for themselves

Not sure which row you are? That's exactly what the free discovery call is for. We'll tell you honestly, including if you don't need us yet.

How much should an accountant cost a small business?

Most modern firms charge small businesses a fixed monthly fee rather than hourly rates. What you pay tracks three things: your turnover, how many transactions you have, and which services you need bundled in. A sole trader's self assessment costs a fraction of a VAT-registered company with monthly payroll and management accounts.

Clearsight agrees your fee up front, before any work starts, and questions through the year don't cost extra. For the full breakdown of what drives pricing, read how much does a small business accountant cost?

Is it worth getting an accountant for a small business?

If your affairs are genuinely simple, you can self-file, and we'll tell you so. An accountant starts paying for themselves the moment judgement enters the picture: which expenses are allowable, how to split salary and dividends, whether you should register for VAT before the threshold, what the numbers say about your next hire. Getting those wrong costs more than any fee.

The difference with Clearsight is what happens between filings: see how we work, or meet our accountants in Cardiff. We work with small businesses UK-wide from there.

Small business accounting: your questions answered

Is it worth getting an accountant for a small business?

For most limited companies, yes. Beyond filing accurately and on time, a good small business accountant reviews the reliefs you're entitled to, structures salary and dividends sensibly, and gives you numbers you can make decisions on. The fee is also a tax-deductible business expense.

What type of accountant is best for a small business?

A chartered firm (ACCA or ICAEW qualified) that gives you a named adviser, works on cloud software like Xero or QuickBooks, and charges a fixed monthly fee. The size of the firm matters far less than whether one person actually knows your business.

How much should an accountant cost a small business?

Most UK small businesses pay a fixed monthly fee that reflects turnover, transaction volume and the services included: a sole trader pays less than a VAT-registered company with payroll. Clearsight agrees the fee up front, before any work starts, so there are no surprise bills.

Do I need a local accountant, or can it all be done online?

Either works. We serve clients across the UK on cloud software and video calls, and meet in person across South Wales from our Cardiff office. What matters is responsiveness and a named adviser, not the distance to their door.

What should I watch out for when choosing an accountant?

Promises of tax savings before anyone has looked at your numbers, unclear or hourly-only fees, no engagement letter, no named regulator, and slow replies. Any good firm will happily show you all five before you commit.

Can you handle my company accounts and my personal tax return together?

Yes, and you should want that. When the same firm prepares your company accounts and your self assessment, salary and dividends are reported consistently on both sides and nothing falls between two advisers.

A small business accountant who's actually on your side

Book a free discovery call: get a fixed quote and an honest read on what your business actually needs.

Book a discovery callCall 02921 508 555