Sole trader accountants
Accountants for sole traders and the self-employed
Your tax return and Making Tax Digital handled, from £50 a month with FreeAgent included.
- FreeAgent Gold Partner
- Fixed monthly fees
- Bristol accountants since 2007
Why the self-employed choose us
Less admin, fewer surprises, no missed deadlines
If you work for yourself, we'll take the tax return, the deadlines and Making Tax Digital off your hands, and help you keep more of what you earn. Fixed monthly fees from £50, with FreeAgent included so your records keep themselves up to date.
Your tax return, done for you
We prepare and file your Self Assessment return, tell you what you owe and when, and explain payments on account before they catch you out.
Making Tax Digital, handled
If MTD for Income Tax applies to you, our MTD plans include every quarterly update and the Final Declaration. If it does not apply yet, we will tell you when it will.
FreeAgent included
Bank feeds, invoicing and receipt capture on your phone. Your records stay up to date through the year, not in a shoebox in January.
Claim what you are entitled to
We make sure you're claiming every allowable expense, and none that you shouldn't, so your tax bill is right first time.
Advice when you grow
When it's worth registering for VAT or moving to a limited company, we'll tell you, and we can handle the move.
One fixed fee
A set monthly fee with phone and email support included, and an annual review meeting on Zoom.
Making Tax Digital
Getting ready for Making Tax Digital
From April 2026, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 have to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028, and it is based on your gross turnover, not your profit.
Our Sole Trader MTD plans include the quarterly submissions, the End of Year Update and the Final Declaration, all done in FreeAgent. You keep working; we keep you compliant.
Dates, deadlines and penalties are on our Making Tax Digital page.
What we do
What we do for sole traders
Depending on your plan, we:
- Register you as self-employed with HMRC if you are just starting out
- Set up FreeAgent and show you how to connect your bank feed
- Prepare and file your Self Assessment tax return
- Send your MTD quarterly updates and Final Declaration
- Review your FreeAgent records each quarter, so problems are fixed early
- Do your bookkeeping for you, on our bookkeeping plan
Growing
Should you become a limited company?
There comes a point where trading through a limited company can save you tax, but it brings more admin and responsibilities, and it isn't right for everyone. We'll run the numbers for you at your annual review and tell you honestly whether it's worth it.
Read more: limited company vs self-employed vs employed.
Bristol and UK-wide
Self-employed accountants in Bristol, and across the UK
We have been helping self-employed people in Bristol since 2007, and we are happy to meet you here. If you are further away, we can do everything online.
Meetings are by appointment at 1 Park Road, BS16 1AZ or 1 Lindsay Road, BS7 9NP, or on a video call. Clients are welcome to ring us on 0117 290 0007 without an appointment, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Fixed monthly fees
Fixed fees for sole traders
If MTD doesn't apply to you yet, the Sole Trader plan covers your tax return. Once it does, the MTD plans add the quarterly submissions, and our bookkeeping plan takes the record keeping off you too.
FreeAgent is included in every plan. Why we use FreeAgent
Sole Trader
Up to £50K turnover, not on MTD
£50a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Tax return
- FreeAgent subscription
- Annual review meeting (on Zoom)
- Phone & email support
Sole Trader MTD
Up to £90K turnover
£75a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Tax return
- FreeAgent subscription
- Quarterly FreeAgent review
- Annual review meeting (on Zoom)
- Phone & email support
- Making Tax Digital submissions
Sole Trader MTD with Bookkeeping
Up to £90K turnover
£125a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Tax return
- FreeAgent subscription
- FreeAgent Smart Capture
- Quarterly FreeAgent review
- Annual review meeting (on Zoom)
- Phone & email support
- Making Tax Digital submissions
+ 1 more includedShow less
- Bookkeeping service
All prices are per month plus VAT. We give you a personal quote in your free meeting. See all our prices.
Reviews
What our clients say
“I couldn't be happier with Barry and the team. They have provided a friendly and efficient service and getting my books on FreeAgent has transformed the way I run my business.”
Claudia ConnellyFriendly and efficient “Barry and his team at Focus Accountancy have been my accountants since I started my business over 10 years ago and have provided expert advice and guidance every step of the way. Whenever I have a challenge or question the response is very swift and simple to understand.”
Dean MorrisAt the top of their game! “Barry offers a proactive approach to his services, and is accessible when you have questions or need assistance. Along with traditional accountancy, he also incorporates tax planning and looking at ways of simplifying record keeping.”
Simon CummingsProfessional and reliable Questions
Questions sole traders ask us
The things self-employed people ask us most before they join.
Do I need an accountant as a sole trader?
Not always. Many sole traders do their own tax return. But it takes time, it's easy to miss expenses or claim ones you shouldn't, and Making Tax Digital adds quarterly updates on top. Weigh up what your time is worth against our fee, and the peace of mind of having experts there all year round.
How much does an accountant for a sole trader cost?
Our sole trader plans are £50, £75 and £125 a month plus VAT. The £50 plan covers your tax return if you are not on MTD yet; the £75 plan adds MTD submissions and quarterly reviews; the £125 plan adds bookkeeping. Compare the plans.
Does Making Tax Digital apply to me?
It applies from April 2026 if your gross self-employment and rental income is over £50,000, from April 2027 if it is over £30,000, and from April 2028 if it is over £20,000. It is based on turnover, not profit. Read our MTD guide.
Can you help me register as self-employed?
Yes. We can register you with HMRC, set up FreeAgent, and explain what records you need to keep from the start.
I also have a rental property. Can you do both?
Yes. We can include your rental income in your tax return, and remember that for MTD your self-employment and rental income are added together to see whether you are over the threshold.
Do you only work with sole traders in Bristol?
No. Our office is in Bristol, but we work with self-employed people all over the UK by phone, email, video call and through FreeAgent.
Further reading
Guides for sole traders
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
- Payments on account for Self Assessment
- Limited company vs self-employed vs employed
- Navigating the Government Gateway
- Invoicing guide: getting paid on time
- Smart Capture: get data from receipts automatically
- Paying your taxes
- FreeAgent help and tutorials
We also work with IT contractors, contractors, landlords and freelancers.
Talk to us
Talk to us about your tax return
Tell us what you do and we'll tell you which plan fits, and whether MTD applies to you yet. Send us an email, use the form, or arrange a free 30-minute video call with Barry, Greg or Maria. We welcome calls on 0117 290 0007 from clients without the need for an appointment.
- Hours
- 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
- Book a video call
- Meet with Barry · Meet with Greg · Meet with Maria
- Visit by appointment
- 1 Park Road, Bristol, BS16 1AZ1 Lindsay Road, Bristol, BS7 9NP