Home-based accountant for small businesses

Sole traders, landlords, contractors and small limited companies who want someone to handle their accounts and tax.

Fixed annual or monthly fees per client, with extra charges for one-off jobs such as company set-up or tax advice. Clients tend to stay year after year.

• Accounting and UK tax knowledge
• Careful with detail and deadlines
• Clear explanations for non-experts
• Comfortable with cloud accounting software

• Anti-money laundering supervision: check how to register with HMRC or a professional body before taking on clients
• Professional indemnity insurance, as mistakes in accounts or returns can be costly
• Data protection: check whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee and how to store client records securely
• Busy peaks around Self Assessment and company deadlines, so plan your workload
• Check whether using a protected professional title needs a membership or qualification

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on software, insurance and how you set up your home office. Remember to check professional indemnity insurance and any registration or membership costs that apply to you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many clients you take on and the services you offer. Expect busy peaks around Self Assessment and company deadlines, and plan at least about 15 hours a week.

Check how to register for anti-money laundering supervision with HMRC or a professional body before taking on clients. Also check professional indemnity insurance, whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee, and whether a protected professional title needs membership or a qualification.