Start with the job you need done
A bookkeeper keeps transaction records organised. An accountant may also prepare accounts, handle agreed tax filings and advise on your business. A low monthly price can cover only part of that work. Before asking for quotes, list your selling channels, legal structure, VAT position, employees, transaction volume and current software. Include overseas sales, stock and payment-provider balances: an ecommerce business has more to reconcile than one bank feed.
Check the person and the firm
Ask for the adviser’s full name, qualifications, professional body and the firm that will contract with you. Verify those claims in the relevant official directory. ICAEW explains that anyone can call themselves an accountant; a professional qualification and accountable firm matter. AAT licences distinguish bookkeeping and accountancy services. Check that the person is authorised and experienced for the work you require. Ask about professional indemnity insurance, anti-money-laundering supervision, their complaints process and who covers absences.
Make the quote comparable
Request a written engagement letter and an itemised quote. Identify whether VAT, bookkeeping, year-end accounts, Corporation Tax or Self Assessment, VAT returns, payroll, Companies House filings, software and routine questions are included. Agree who submits each return and who approves it. Ask what happens if transaction numbers grow, records arrive late, you change platforms or you leave. A year-end fee spread monthly is different from ongoing management accounts and advice.
Ask an ecommerce question before appointing
Try: “My marketplace sends £850 after deducting fees and refunds. How will you record the sales and reconcile the payout?” A useful adviser should explain the process in language you understand, including the records they need. Ask how they handle payment fees, returns, inventory and overseas transactions relevant to you. Be cautious about guaranteed tax savings, pressure to share passwords, unexplained extras or an adviser who refuses a written scope. Use delegated access supported by HMRC and your software. Company directors remain responsible for company records even when they appoint an accountant.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Make the next move a clearer one.
- Verify the professional and firm in an official directory.
- Compare three quotes using the same scope and transaction volume.
- Confirm deadlines, responsibilities, VAT and extra charges in writing.
- Agree software ownership, data export and handover terms.
- Use proper agent access; keep your own login and recovery details.
TAKE THIS TO YOUR NEXT CALL
The accountant quote check.
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| Ask about | What a clear answer includes |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | VAT, annual extras, transaction limits and software fees |
| Day-to-day records | Who imports and reconciles bank and marketplace activity |
| Year-end and filings | The named return, deadline and person who submits it |
| Advice and contact | Response expectations and what triggers an extra fee |
| Leaving | Notice, exports, licence ownership and handover charges |
Where we checked the details
Primary sources checked 11 October 2026. Rules, prices and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the official service.
General UK guidance and editorial checklists. Apply the official rules to your circumstances and seek qualified help where needed. This is researched guidance, not a claim that we have tested every provider or situation.
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