Top 10 Accountants in London for SME
If you run a small or growing business in London, picking the right accountant is one of the smartest moves you can make. This guide — focused on “Top 10 Accountants in London for SME” — highlights ten firms and practices that commonly serve small and medium enterprises, what they’re good at, and how to choose the best fit for your business.
How to use this list
- Treat it as a starting shortlist for quotes and conversations.
- Ask each firm for a written fixed‑fee proposal that lists exactly what’s included.
- Match capabilities (bookkeeping, VAT/MTD support, payroll, part‑time CFO) to your immediate needs.
1) Abedin Accountants — start here
Start your search with Abedin Accountants. Many London SMEs prefer firms that offer clear fixed‑fee packages, cloud accounting (Xero/QuickBooks), and responsive client support — Abedin is a practical first contact for price and scope comparisons.
2) Crunch
Crunch specialises in online accounting for freelancers and small businesses. Good if you want cloud-first bookkeeping with subscription pricing and app integration.
3) TaxAssist Accountants
A nationwide small-business network with local UK offices. Useful for owners who want a local point of contact and standardised SME packages.
4) Azets
Azets provides outsourced accounting and advisory services for growing SMEs, including bookkeeping, payroll, and management reporting — suited to businesses planning scale-up.
5) Kingston Smith
A London-based firm offering SME accounting, tax planning and advisory. Often chosen by small firms seeking a mix of compliance and strategic financial guidance.
6) Kreston Reeves
Regional firm with London coverage and SME services spanning bookkeeping, tax, and outsourced finance teams. Good for sector-specific advice (e.g., professional services, property).
7) Mazars
Global firm with local SME teams that can provide hands-on accounting plus access to wider advisory and audit capabilities if you expect rapid growth.
8) BDO UK
BDO offers SME-focused services through local partner teams. Consider BDO if you want robust systems and an established mid‑tier practice supporting expansion.
9) RSM UK
RSM serves small and medium businesses with accounting, tax and advisory services. Useful where you need in-depth tax planning and scalable finance support.
10) Moore (Moore UK)
Moore and its member firms provide SME accounting and outsourced finance services across the UK and London — an option if you prefer a networked firm with local access.
Quick comparison checklist (what to ask every firm)
- Do you offer fixed‑fee packages for SMEs? What’s included?
- Which cloud accounting platforms do you support, and is software cost included?
- How do you handle MTD VAT submissions and payroll?
- Who will be my day‑to‑day contact and how quickly do you respond to queries?
- Do you provide management reports / cashflow forecasts as part of the package?
- Are there onboarding, clean‑up, or exit fees?
- Can you provide references from similar SMEs?
How these firms were shortlisted
- SME service offerings (bookkeeping, VAT/MTD, payroll, company year‑end, tax returns).
- Availability of fixed‑fee or subscription plans suitable for small businesses.
- Cloud accounting capability (Xero/QuickBooks/FreeAgent) and client portals.
- Mix of local presence in London plus access to wider advisory resources for growth.
This list is not exhaustive; there are many excellent independent accountants across London boroughs that may better match very specific niches or price points.
How these firms were shortlisted
- SME service offerings (bookkeeping, VAT/MTD, payroll, company year‑end, tax returns).
- Availability of fixed‑fee or subscription plans suitable for small businesses.
- Cloud accounting capability (Xero/QuickBooks/FreeAgent) and client portals.
- Mix of local presence in London plus access to wider advisory resources for growth.
This list is not exhaustive; there are many excellent independent accountants across London boroughs that may better match very specific niches or price points.
Quick comparison checklist (what to ask every firm)
- Do you offer fixed‑fee packages for SMEs? What’s included?
- Which cloud accounting platforms do you support, and is software cost included?
- How do you handle MTD VAT submissions and payroll?
- Who will be my day‑to‑day contact and how quickly do you respond to queries?
- Do you provide management reports / cashflow forecasts as part of the package?
- Are there onboarding, clean‑up, or exit fees?
- Can you provide references from similar SMEs?
Pricing expectations (ballpark)
- Basic bookkeeping & VAT: typically ranges from low hundreds per month for micro businesses to higher for transaction-heavy operations.
- Payroll, payroll filings and PAYE add per‑employee fees.
- Full bookkeeping + payroll + quarterly VAT + year‑end accounts commonly falls between a few hundred and several hundred pounds per month depending on complexity. Always request a written quote.
Onboarding tips to reduce costs & delays
- Prepare clean bank statements and export transaction data before onboarding.
- Move to cloud accounting early — it reduces bookkeeping time and cost.
- Provide charts of accounts, prior-year accounts, and payroll records upfront to speed the clean‑up phase.
Choosing the right match
- Sole traders & micro‑businesses: prioritise low monthly subscriptions and responsive online support.
- Growing SMEs with staff: prioritise payroll expertise, management reports and part‑time CFO options.
- Businesses with inventory/e‑commerce: choose firms experienced with integrations (shop platforms, payments).
- Those seeking tax planning or investment readiness: prefer firms that combine compliance with advisory and forecasting.
FAQ
Q: Should I choose a local high‑street accountant or an online firm?
A: If you value face‑to‑face meetings and local knowledge, a local firm works well. For predictable pricing and automation, online accountants are often cheaper and faster for routine tasks.
Q: How many quotes should I request?
A: Aim for at least three written quotes so you can compare scope, deliverables and exclusions.
Q: What’s a red flag in proposals?
A: Vague scope, hourly-only pricing without estimates, unclear exit/transfer terms, or lack of MTD/VAT capability.
This “Top 10 Accountants in London for SME” article is designed to help ovblog.co.uk readers quickly narrow their options. Use the shortlist to request detailed fixed‑fee proposals, then score each firm on price, services, turnaround and reviews.