You can check an accountant in 5 minutes in three steps: (1) the company is on Companies House with Active status, (2) the accountant is on the ICAEW, ACCA, AAT or CIOT register, (3) they charge a fixed fee £150–400 for SA — not a percentage of your refund. A genuine chartered accountant connects through an Agent Services Account without your password. An unregistered "accountant" has no professional liability — if a mistake is made on your return, the penalties come to you, not them.
Separate a genuine accountant from a scammer in three steps: Companies House, four professional registers, and a red‑flag checklist.
If the accountant works as a Ltd — check the company. The SIC code 69201 (Accountancy) or 69202 (Tax consultancy) should be on the profile.
The UK has no government licence for accounting — only professional bodies. If the accountant is not on any of the four, they are not a licensed accountant.
Optional. Fill in and the register links will open with a pre‑filled search.
The largest professional body in the UK. All ACA‑chartered accountants. Firms with the BAS logo offer a free first consultation.
A global organisation, strong in small business and sole traders. Go to the website and enter the name manually — prefill is not available.
Licensed bookkeepers and accounting technicians. Typically cheaper than chartered, great for sole traders and simple SA. Enter the name on the website manually.
Specialises in tax planning and complex cases. CTA = Chartered Tax Adviser. Needed for foreign income, trusts, complex SA.
Answer 5 questions about your potential accountant. Each "Yes" adds 1 risk point.
Choose "Yes" or "No" for each question to see the risk assessment.
You can register a Ltd for £12 and call it "Accountancy Services" in an hour. Becoming a member of ICAEW takes at least 3 years of study and 450 hours of practice.
ACA (ICAEW) = 15 exams + 3 years supervised experience. ACCA = 13 exams + 3 years experience. AAT = 3 levels + licence.
Members of professional bodies are required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance. If the accountant makes a mistake, there is someone to claim against.
Members of ICAEW/ACCA/CIOT must confirm their qualification every year. Tax changes happen every year — the accountant must stay up to date.
You can complain to the organisation about a poor‑quality member. A real protection mechanism — unlike Companies House, which just registers.
HMRC clearly states: an authorised tax agent must never ask for your Government Gateway login or password. A genuine accountant connects through an Agent Services Account — a separate system where you grant them access without sharing your password.
This is a violation of HMRC rules and a sign of a scammer. Never share your personal tax account password with third parties — even "accountants".
A professional accountant always issues a written engagement letter (contract) before starting work. If there is none — that is a warning sign.
What exactly is included: SA submission, CIS, payroll — each service listed separately.
A specific amount, not "percentage of refund". A genuine accountant knows the price of their work in advance.
When the accountant must file — if they miss the deadline you pay the penalty (£100+ HMRC fine), unless the accountant warned you in time.
How to end the contract. Normal — 30‑day notice. Red flag — no exit clause at all.