No. Preparing accounts, corporation tax returns, Self Assessment and VAT returns does not require a chartered, ACCA or ICAEW accountant. Only a statutory audit needs a registered auditor, and a small company is exempt if it meets two of three tests: turnover up to £15 million, assets up to £7.5 million, 50 or fewer employees.
In the UK, accountant is not a protected title. Anyone can prepare your accounts, file your tax return or run your VAT, and no membership of ICAEW, ACCA or any other body is needed for that work. The titles that are protected, such as chartered accountant, only tell you which professional body someone belongs to.
The main piece of work that does need a qualified person is a statutory audit, which must be signed by a registered auditor. Most small businesses never need one.
| Test (financial years starting on or after 6 April 2025) | Small company limit |
|---|---|
| Annual turnover | £15 million or less |
| Balance sheet total (assets) | £7.5 million or less |
| Average employees | 50 or fewer |
You might still need an audit if your company is in a regulated sector, if a lender, investor or parent company requires one, or if your articles say so. Ask the person asking for it, and check the contract.
Accounting Solution is supervised by HMRC for anti-money-laundering purposes and James Fitzpatrick is AAT licensed. We are not a chartered practice and do not carry out audits. If you need one, we will say so and point you to an audit firm. See our company accounts and corporation tax and VAT returns services.
Sources: GOV.UK: audit exemptions for private limited companies, GOV.UK: file your company annual accounts.
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Talk to an AccountantNo. Preparing accounts, corporation tax returns, Self Assessment and VAT returns does not require a chartered, ACCA or ICAEW accountant. Only a statutory audit needs a registered auditor, and a small company is exempt if it meets two of three tests: turnover up to £15 million, assets up to £7.5 million, 50 or fewer employees.
Yes. There is no legal requirement for the person preparing statutory accounts or a corporation tax return to be chartered, ACCA or ICAEW qualified. Only a statutory audit must be signed by a registered auditor.
Companies that fail the small company tests, plus those in some regulated sectors or whose lender, investor or articles require one. A small company that meets two of turnover £15 million, assets £7.5 million and 50 employees is exempt.
No. Accounting Solution is not a chartered practice and does not audit. James Fitzpatrick is AAT licensed and the practice is supervised by HMRC for anti-money-laundering purposes.