Affordable Accounting for Self Employed Individuals
Whether you are an electrician, gas engineer, plumber, builder, freelancer, contractor, beautician, hairdresser, taxi driver, catering company, Healthcare worker or a rocket scientist, we have the right self employed accountant and self employed accounting package for you from as little as from as little as £10 per month.
Although being a self-employed is one of the simplest ways to get started in business, there are many processes that need to be followed.
Get practical support from a team that understands working for yourself. Make sense of your income, expenses and tax, with more time for your customers.
Keep invoices, receipts and payments organised with accounting software. Share records with your accountant and spend less time sorting paperwork after a busy working day.
Choose accounts, Self Assessment, bookkeeping and other support around your working arrangements. Get clear monthly fees, with services, limits and any additional work agreed before starting.
Unsure what you can claim or how to record a cost? Get unlimited accounting support within your agreed package, with practical explanations and specialist work scoped separately.
Stay ahead of agreed reporting and payment deadlines. We explain what records we need and when, helping you prepare without leaving tax paperwork until the last minute.
Choose support around how you earn and work. Explore accounts, Self Assessment, bookkeeping, VAT and Making Tax Digital services, then use the form below to build your quote and see your monthly fee.
— Customer Reviews
Practical support. Hear it from our clients.
★★★★★ 5 out of 5
"Very helpful company and service. The cost is highly competitive and the installments make it a great option for traders looking balance their outgoings. This low cost doesn't impact the quality received. Easy onboarding, very clear systems in place for usage and excellent service when working out yearly tax. All done 6 months before deadlines. Very happy and will continue to have their support"
"Worked with Chris for a few years. He went above and beyond what I would have expected and helped me navigate a few tricky tax situations that saved me a lot of time and money. These guys are definitely worth the price. Great service and availability."
"I moved to Accounting Wise after issues with my previous accountant, Chris and the team have been fantastic since I joined, anything I've needed help with they have been more than accommodating, taking time to explain things I didn't know or hadn't been told, efficient and trustworthy which is exactly what I was looking for"
You’re free to leave whenever you like, we’re just confident you won’t want to. Come and go as you please, no lock-ins and no catch.
Accounting services for the way you work for yourself
Keep your business records connected to your personal tax responsibilities. Start with accounts and Self Assessment, then choose bookkeeping, VAT or digital reporting support around your income, working arrangements and plans.
Understand what you earn after business costs with accounts prepared from your records. We explain income, expenses and profit, giving you clear figures to review and a reliable starting point for your agreed tax return.
Bring your self-employed profits and other income within scope together in your personal tax return. We prepare the agreed return, explain your calculation and payment dates, and provide the figures for review before submitting them.
Keep receipts, invoices and bank transactions organised around your working day. Choose software guidance or managed bookkeeping, with clear service limits, so your records stay useful and the information needed for accounts is easier to find.
Allowable expenses and tax reliefs
Get practical help understanding which costs relate to your work and what evidence to keep. We review relevant expenses and reliefs, explain mixed personal and business spending, and consider how your accounting method affects tax treatment.
Get practical support when VAT becomes relevant to your self-employed business. We discuss registration, suitable schemes and record keeping, with return preparation using compatible software and any additional work clearly agreed around your turnover and needs.
Take the admin out of paying staff with support for payroll calculations, payslips and Real Time Information submissions to HMRC. We agree employee numbers, pay frequency and pension administration, keeping your personal drawings separate from employee wages.
Get help with digital records and quarterly income and expense updates when Making Tax Digital applies to you. We discuss compatible software, submission deadlines and year-end reporting, with the services included in your package agreed upfront.
Tax payments and income planning
Understand your Self Assessment bill and payments on account where required. We explain the calculation and payment dates, helping you plan what to set aside as earnings change and keep future tax commitments in view.
Get started with the right business accounting solution today!
Work for yourself. Get accounting expertise behind you.
Make sense of your earnings, business costs and tax responsibilities with accountants who understand self-employment. Our fixed-fee packages provide clearly agreed services and practical advice, whether you’re starting out, balancing several income sources or growing your business. Our accountants hold a range of qualifications from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). We are also an Institute of Certified Practising Accountants (ICPA) accredited firm.
Get started with the right accounting solution for your self-employment.
Starting out, earning alongside employment or managing several income sources? Get accounting support matched to your circumstances, with clear records and agreed tax services that keep pace with how you work.
Start with organised records and a clear understanding of your tax responsibilities. We discuss registering for Self Assessment, including the 5 October deadline in your first year, plus invoicing and business expenses, so you are ready for your first return and payment.
Self-employment alongside a job
Keep your self-employed earnings clear alongside employment income. We help organise records, review relevant expenses and prepare your agreed personal tax return, explaining how tax already deducted from your pay affects the calculation and what you still need to pay.
Bring freelance work, platform or gig income and other earnings together in one tax return. We help you record each source separately, explain how the totals combine and plan for payments on account, so nothing is missed when you file.
Find out whether Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to you. It started on 6 April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000, with lower thresholds from 2027 and 2028. We discuss digital records and compatible software, then agree quarterly updates and year-end reporting, with responsibilities and fees confirmed before your service begins.
Move with a clear handover plan for your records and personal tax work. We can liaise with your previous accountant, review available information and agree outstanding Self Assessment returns, with approaching deadlines and any additional costs identified before we begin.
Catching up on records and returns
Get organised when your work has pushed tax to one side. We review your available records, outstanding Self Assessment returns and any HMRC letters, then agree the work required, likely timescales and fees, so you have a practical plan to bring everything up to date.
Self-employed accounting that understands your work
Your records should reflect how you earn a living, whether you work on site, serve customers or sell online. We tailor support to your income, business costs and working arrangements, helping you keep the figures organised throughout the year.
From tools and travel costs to platform fees and customer payments, get bookkeeping support suited to your work. Where construction payments bring additional requirements, discuss our CIS services as part of your quote.
Get started with the right accounting solution today!
Your go-to source for tax updates, business tips, and financial insights tailored to self-employed individuals. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your solo venture, we’re here to help you stay compliant, organised, and financially confident.
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Essential FAQs for Self Employment Accounting Services
Accounting Wise packages for the self-employed start from £10 per month, with 50% off our services for the first 6 months when you sign up to a Pre-Built or Bespoke package. Your fee depends on your income sources, transaction volume and the services you add, such as bookkeeping or Making Tax Digital support.
See our pricing or build a quote with the package builder on this page. Your quote shows what is included, any limits and VAT on our fees before you start.
Am I self-employed?
You are likely to be self-employed if you sell regularly to make a profit, make items to sell, earn commission from selling for others, or are paid for a service you provide. If you are trading, you need to set up as self-employed and may need to tell HMRC.
If you only sell items or rent out property occasionally, check whether you need to report that income. If you are unsure, we can help you decide or contact HMRC. Read more on GOV.UK’s guide to working for yourself.
Can I be self-employed and have a job?
Yes. You can work for an employer and run your own business alongside it, for example working during the day and trading in the evenings. Your self-employed profit is reported on a Self Assessment return, together with your employment income.
Tax already deducted from your pay is taken into account when your bill is worked out. We prepare the return so both income sources are reported together, as part of our Self Assessment service.
Do I need to tell HMRC about side income?
You may need to, depending on how much you earn and what kind of income it is. A £1,000 tax-free trading allowance is available for self-employed income, and a separate £1,000 property allowance applies to rental income, but you cannot always use them together with expenses.
If your income is above the allowance, or you are unsure, tell HMRC by registering for Self Assessment. We can check your position, because the rules depend on your circumstances.
When do I need to register as self-employed with HMRC?
Register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started, if you have not sent a return before. For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, that date is 5 October 2026. Telling HMRC after the deadline can lead to a penalty.
Self-employed people pay Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance on their profits, through Self Assessment. For 2026 to 2027 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Income Tax is 20% from £12,570 to £50,270, 40% to £125,140 and 45% above. Class 4 is 6% from £12,570 to £50,270 and 2% above.
Class 2 National Insurance is no longer compulsory. It is treated as paid if your profits are £7,105 or more, and you can pay voluntary Class 2 at £3.65 a week if profits are lower. Scotland has different Income Tax bands. See our tax rates and allowances.
What are the key tax deadlines for the self-employed?
For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, your online Self Assessment return and tax payment are due by 31 January 2027, or 31 October 2026 on paper. Payments on account, where required, are due on 31 January and 31 July. New to Self Assessment? Register by 5 October.
Requirement
Deadline (2025 to 2026 tax year)
Register for Self Assessment (new to it)
5 October 2026
Paper Self Assessment return
31 October 2026
Online Self Assessment return and balancing payment
31 January 2027
Payments on account, where required
31 January and 31 July
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
From 6 April 2026 if qualifying income is over £50,000; from 6 April 2027 over £30,000; from 6 April 2028 over £20,000
A late Self Assessment return is charged a £100 penalty straight away, with further penalties as it stays late. We send reminders for every date that applies to you.
How is tax collected if I am employed and self-employed?
Your employer deducts tax from your pay through PAYE, and you pay the tax on your self-employed profit through Self Assessment. Your return shows both, and the tax already deducted is taken off your bill.
Because your self-employed income is added on top of your pay, it may be taxed at a higher rate than you expect. If your employment already covers most of your tax, payments on account may not apply. We calculate your position each year.
What are payments on account?
Payments on account are advance payments toward your next Self Assessment bill. You make two, each generally half of last year’s bill, due on 31 January and 31 July. Any difference is paid as a balancing payment by the following 31 January.
You do not have to make them if last year’s tax was under £1,000, or if you paid over 80% of your tax outside Self Assessment, such as through your tax code. If you expect a lower bill, you may be able to reduce them. See GOV.UK on payments on account.
How much should I set aside for tax?
There is no single percentage, because your bill depends on your profit, other income, allowances and National Insurance. A practical method is to move a share of each payment you receive into a separate account, then adjust it once your accountant has estimated your bill.
Remember that your first year can bring a larger bill, because the first payment on account arrives with the balancing payment. We explain your calculation and estimate what to set aside as your earnings change. Use our take home pay calculator for a quick estimate.
Can you help if I have several income streams?
Yes. Freelance work, platform or gig income, self-employment alongside a job and other earnings are all reported on the same Self Assessment return. We help you record each source separately, explain how the totals combine and plan for payments on account.
The right treatment depends on what each income is, so tell us about every source. Keep records for each one, and our bookkeeping service can help with that.
What can I claim as a self-employed person?
You can claim costs incurred wholly and exclusively for your work, such as materials, software, insurance and business travel. Costs with both business and personal use need an appropriate split, and personal costs cannot be claimed.
Keep a receipt or record for every claim. For a detailed look at expenses, simplified flat rates and the cash basis, see our sole trader accounting guide.
Does Making Tax Digital apply to the self-employed?
Yes, if your qualifying income is over the threshold. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax began on 6 April 2026 for the self-employed and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000, and extends to income over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028.
Qualifying income is your total trading and property income chargeable to Income Tax, and it is measured before expenses. You will need digital records and compatible software. See our Making Tax Digital hub.
Do I need an accountant if I am self-employed?
No, an accountant is not a legal requirement, and you remain responsible for your tax. An accountant helps by organising your records, checking what you can claim, preparing your Self Assessment return and explaining what you owe and when.
It helps most when you have several income sources, a job alongside your business or a first-year registration to complete. Our self-employed accounting packages include a dedicated accountant and unlimited advice.
Can you help if I am behind with my returns or switching accountants?
Yes. Tell us which years are outstanding, any HMRC letters you have received and what records you have. We review them, then agree the work, timescales and fees upfront. Overdue returns may need a separate scope from routine accounting.
If you are moving from another accountant, we can contact them, request your records and arrange HMRC authorisations through our switching accountants process.
Switching Accountants When You’re Self-Employed Is Simple
1 Choose Your Package
Build a quote around your self-employed work. Choose accounts, Self Assessment and any bookkeeping, VAT or Making Tax Digital support you need, with your monthly fee, included services and limits confirmed before you sign up.
2 Tell Us How You Work
Sign up online or speak to our team. Tell us about your business, income sources and accounting needs. We’ll confirm your services, explain the records required and agree a start date around your working commitments.
3 We Arrange the Handover
We can contact your previous accountant, request relevant records and arrange HMRC authorisations. We’ll agree responsibility for outstanding returns, identify approaching deadlines and explain your next steps, so you can stay focused on your work.
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