10 Best Outsourced Bookkeeping Services UK 2026

Your in-house bookkeeper costs £35,000 a year. Add software licences, training, holiday cover, and the time you spend managing them, and you’re closer to £45,000. Most UK business owners don’t realise they’re spending this much until they see the breakdown.

Here’s the reality: outsourcing cuts costs by half whilst giving you better expertise. With the UK government’s Making Tax Digital initiative, compliance is now mandatory, and HMRC penalties for errors can reach £10,000 for serious or repeated mistakes. Professional bookkeeping isn’t optional anymore.

We’ve spent three weeks testing and comparing the top 10 UK bookkeeping services. We analysed their service flexibility, software capabilities, pricing structures, and response times to actual client queries.

This isn’t a paid ranking. THP came out on top, and we’ll show you exactly why, along with nine solid alternatives tailored to your specific needs.

1. THP Accountants: Best Overall Choice

THP takes the top spot because it offers what most firms miss: flexibility without complexity.

Their service works in three ways:

• Essential bookkeeping covers the basics.
• Comprehensive packages bundle everything together.
• Hybrid model combining remote work with occasional on-site visits.

What makes them different:

You get the same bookkeeper every month. Not a ticket system where random people pick up your file. Your bookkeeper knows your business, remembers last month’s questions, and spots issues early.

They operate from Wanstead (London), Chelmsford, Saffron Walden (Essex), and Sutton (Surrey). Close enough to the city for expertise, far enough out to avoid West End prices.

THP provides cloud software (Xero or FreeAgent) at a cost price. Your bookkeeping connects directly to VAT returns, payroll, corporation tax, and annual accounts. One firm handles everything.

They recommend monthly bookkeeping over quarterly, giving you current financial data when you need it.

Best for: Growing SMEs wanting consistent service connected to broader accounting work.

Learn more about the bookkeeping services of THP.

2. Meru Accounting

Meru Accounting provides outsourced bookkeeping through their international team whilst maintaining UK compliance standards. They handle accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting with MTD compliance.

The offshore model keeps costs low, though you’re working with teams outside the UK. They support major accounting software and offer scalable packages.

Best for: Cost-conscious businesses comfortable with offshore teams maintaining UK standards.

3. BookCheck

BookCheck has been providing bookkeeping services since 1994 with a team of over 70 staff. They focus on monthly management accounts using Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks, with each account reviewed by qualified accountants.

They serve SMEs and larger businesses across various industries, offering detailed financial reporting beyond basic transaction processing. Their payroll services integrate with bookkeeping for comprehensive coverage.

Best for: Businesses wanting monthly management accounts with qualified accountant oversight.

4. QAccounting

QAccounting has been supporting UK businesses for over 20 years with online accounting services. They offer bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, and annual accounts with dedicated client managers and accountants assigned to each business.

They work with Xero or their in-house system, whichever you prefer. Their team handles everything from bank reconciliation to monthly management accounts, giving you clear visibility of your finances throughout the year.

Best for: SMEs, sole traders, and self-employed professionals wanting affordable online accounting with dedicated UK-based support.

5. Crunch

Crunch targets micro-businesses with an app-first approach. Snap photos of receipts and handle basic bookkeeping yourself with support when stuck. This keeps costs down but demands more of your time.

Best for: Very small businesses comfortable with hands-on financial management.

6. Pearl Lemon Accountants

Pearl Lemon operates in the UK and the USA with a digital-first mindset. They cover transaction processing, VAT compliance, payroll, and tax planning, working with Xero and QuickBooks.

They’ve developed specialist expertise in tronc schemes for hospitality businesses. Clients report fast turnaround times and responsive support.

Best for: Digital entrepreneurs who value quick communication and modern service delivery.

7. CoxHinkins

CoxHinkins has been operating in Oxford for over 50 years. Their multi-location spans Oxford, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, and London. They’re comfortable with QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage.

The firm emphasises long-term relationships and compliance, relationship-based accounting with deep community roots.

Best for: Established businesses that value legacy and regional presence.

8. DNS Accountants

DNS operates a franchise model across the UK, giving it broad geographical coverage. The franchise structure means you get local access, but service quality can vary between locations.

Best for: Businesses wanting local face-to-face access in various UK locations.

9. Makesworth Accountants

Makesworth, based in Harrow and Central London, has won multiple awards since launching in 2012. They treat outsourced bookkeeping as your full finance department, not just transaction processing. They’re a Xero partner and provide a mobile app for 24/7 account access.

Best for: SMEs and contractors wanting cost-effective, comprehensive bookkeeping with strong cloud support.

10. inniAccounts

inniAccounts specialises almost exclusively in contractors, consultants, and freelancers across various industries. They’ve built packages specifically for limited company contractors and know this world inside and out.

The narrow focus becomes a weakness if you don’t fit this profile or as your business diversifies.

Best for: Independent professionals operating through limited companies.

Quick Comparison of the Best Outsourced Bookkeeping Services in the UK

What to Consider When Choosing

• Service flexibility: Can they handle on-site visits when needed? Will they adapt as your business changes?
• Technology compatibility: Your bookkeeper needs MTD-compliant software that talks directly to HMRC. Check if they’ll work with your existing systems.
• Dedicated versus rotating bookkeepers: Having the same person handle your books builds understanding over time. Rotation means explaining things repeatedly.
• Geographical considerations: Some conversations are better face-to-face, particularly when discussing strategy or resolving complex issues.
• Integrated services: If your bookkeeper can also handle VAT, payroll, and year-end accounts, you’re dealing with one firm instead of three.

Final Thoughts

THP stands out because they’ve combined flexibility, dedicated bookkeepers, strategic locations, and integrated services without premium central London pricing.

Choosing a bookkeeping service isn’t just about finding someone to process transactions. You need a partner who’ll support your growth, catch problems early, and give you financial information when you need it.

Monthly bookkeeping beats quarterly service because you’re making decisions based on current data, not three-month-old numbers. THP’s recommendation for monthly service reflects this reality.

The right bookkeeping provider depends on your specific needs, but THP’s combination of personal service, flexible options, and comprehensive support makes it the strongest choice for most UK businesses looking for outsourced bookkeeping that actually works.

Sources:

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax