E · Workflow, deadlines & operations
Starting an Accounting Practice: 50 Questions Answered
Last updated:
Quick answer
This page answers 50 of the most common questions on starting a UK accounting practice, grouped by qualifications, registrations, client onboarding, pricing and growth, and technology. Each answer points to a fuller guide covering the topic in depth, so use this page to find the right starting point quickly.
Key takeaways
- Qualification and practising certificate rules vary by professional body, so check yours specifically.
- AML supervision and PI insurance are required before taking on any client, regardless of firm size.
- Engagement letters, onboarding checks and HMRC agent authorisation should be standardised early.
- Pricing, marketing and technology choices matter for growth but come after core compliance is sorted.
- Each themed section below links to a full guide for more detail.
Qualifications and eligibility
These questions cover whether you need a qualification, which practising certificate applies, and structural decisions before you start.
| Theme | Covers | Key guide |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Qualifications and practising certificates | Practising certificates explained |
| Compliance | AML, tax adviser registration, GDPR | AML supervision for accountants |
| Onboarding | Engagement letters, clearance, authorisation | Client onboarding checklist |
| Pricing | Fees, proposals, direct debit | How much should accountants charge? |
| Operations | Software, deadlines, workflow | UK accountants' deadline calendar |
Do I need to be qualified to call myself an accountant?
No, 'accountant' is not a protected title in the UK, but offering accountancy or bookkeeping services still requires AML supervision. Remindoo does not recommend starting a practice or bookkeeping business without the right footing: make sure you have the relevant qualifications or professional body membership, a practising licence where required, AML supervision, professional indemnity insurance and any other registrations in place, and check your position with an accountancy body such as ICAEW, ACCA, AAT or ICB, or with experienced peers, before taking on clients. See Do You Need to Be Qualified to Be an Accountant in the UK?
What does 'Chartered' mean?
It signals membership of a chartered body such as ICAEW or ACCA and generally requires holding that body's practising certificate to offer public practice services.
Do I need a practising certificate to start a bookkeeping business?
Often not, depending on your body, but AML supervision is still required. See How to Start a Bookkeeping Business in the UK.
How do I become a self-employed tax adviser?
Consider CTA or ATT qualification, register for HMRC tax adviser registration, and set up an Agent Services Account. See How to Become a Self-Employed Tax Adviser in the UK.
Which practising certificate is right for me: ACCA, ICAEW or AAT?
It depends on your existing membership and the services you plan to offer; compare eligibility and switching rules in ACCA vs ICAEW vs AAT.
Can I leave my firm and take clients with me?
Only within the limits of any restrictive covenants in your contract and your body's ethical guidance; see Leaving Your Firm to Start a Practice.
Should I buy an existing practice instead of starting from scratch?
It can shortcut client acquisition but requires careful due diligence on fee quality and client retention; see Buying an Accountancy Practice or Fee Block.
Is a franchise better than going independent?
Franchises offer brand and support at a cost; independence offers control. See Accountancy Franchise vs Going Independent.
Registrations and compliance
These questions cover AML supervision, tax adviser registration, insurance and data protection.
Who supervises accountants for anti-money laundering?
Either your professional body or HMRC directly, depending on membership; see AML Supervision for Accountants.
How do I register with HMRC for AML supervision?
Follow HMRC's fit and proper process and pay the relevant fee; see How to Register With HMRC for AML Supervision.
What is a firm-wide risk assessment?
A documented assessment of money laundering risk across your client base and services, reviewed annually; see AML Firm-Wide Risk Assessment.
What is client due diligence?
Identity and risk checks carried out before and during a client relationship; see Client Due Diligence for Accountants.
Is AML supervision moving to the FCA?
Yes, government decided in October 2025 to move to a single FCA supervisor, with implementation expected from around late 2028; see FCA Taking Over AML Supervision.
Do I need to register as a tax adviser in 2026?
Under Finance Act 2026, registration opened 18 May 2026 in three-month windows; see HMRC Tax Adviser Registration and the Agent Services Account.
How much does professional indemnity insurance cost?
It varies by cover level, services and turnover; see Professional Indemnity Insurance for Accountants.
Do I need to register with the ICO?
Yes, if you process personal data as a data controller, which almost all practices do; see GDPR and ICO Registration for Accountancy Firms.
Sole trader or limited company for my practice?
Each has different tax and liability implications; see Sole Trader or Limited Company for Your Accounting Practice?
Can I use 'Chartered Accountants' in my firm name?
Only if permitted by your professional body and not restricted under Companies House sensitive words rules; see Naming Your Practice.
Client onboarding
These questions cover engagement letters, professional clearance and getting HMRC authorisation for new clients.
Are engagement letters legally required?
Most professional bodies require them as a condition of membership even where not a strict legal requirement; see Are Engagement Letters a Legal Requirement?
Where can I get an engagement letter template?
See Engagement Letter Template for Accountants for a schedule-based template covering common services.
What is a professional clearance letter?
A letter to a client's previous accountant requesting information before you accept the appointment; see Professional Clearance Letter.
What should a client onboarding checklist include?
ID and AML checks, engagement letter, HMRC authorisation and data collection; see Client Onboarding Checklist for Accountants.
How do I get HMRC agent authorisation for a new client?
Through your Agent Services Account, requesting authorisation per tax service; see How to Get HMRC Agent Authorisation.
Do I need to register as an ACSP with Companies House?
Yes, if you will verify identities or file on behalf of clients under the new regime; see Companies House Identity Verification and ACSP Registration.
How long does professional clearance take?
It varies by firm, but a reasonable response is expected within a matter of weeks.
Can I onboard a client before AML checks are complete?
No, customer due diligence should be completed before, or in defined limited circumstances during, establishing the relationship.
Pricing and growth
These questions cover fees, proposals, finding clients and marketing.
How much should I charge as a new accountant?
Fees vary widely by service and region; see How Much Should Accountants Charge? for indicative ranges [VERIFY].
Fixed fee, hourly or value pricing?
Most modern practices favour fixed or value-based pricing for predictability; see Value Pricing and Proposals for Accounting Firms.
How do I get my first clients?
Referrals, a Google Business Profile, directories and niche positioning are common early sources; see How to Get Your First 50 Clients.
Do I need a marketing strategy from day one?
A basic one helps; see Marketing for Accountants: A UK Playbook, including listing on AccountingFirms.co.uk.
Should I collect fees by direct debit?
It smooths cash flow for recurring monthly fees; see Collecting Fees by Direct Debit.
How do I write a proposal that converts?
Use tiered packages and clear scope, then move straight into an engagement letter; see Value Pricing and Proposals.
Do fees typically rise each year?
Many practices apply an annual increase to reflect inflation and service costs; check your engagement letter allows this.
Is niching down a good idea for a new practice?
Yes, a defined niche often makes marketing and referrals more effective than a general offering.
Technology and operations
These questions cover software choice, deadlines, workflow and client portals.
What software do I need to start a practice?
Practice management/CRM, bookkeeping, tax and accounts production tools; see The Tech Stack for a New Accounting Practice.
What should I look for in practice management software?
Client records, task management, deadline tracking and pricing that scales with client numbers; see Practice Management Software for UK Accountants.
How do I keep track of deadlines?
A deadline calendar covering SA, accounts, CT, VAT and PAYE dates; see UK Accountants' Deadline Calendar.
How do I manage recurring compliance work?
Task templates and workflow tracking per service; see Task and Workflow Management for Accounting Firms.
Is my practice ready for MTD for Income Tax?
From April 2026, taxpayers with qualifying income over £50,000 must comply; see Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Is Your Practice Ready?
Do I need a client portal?
It is not mandatory but reduces the security risk of emailing documents; see Client Portals: Secure Document Collection.
How do I decide when to hire or outsource?
Base it on workload predictability and cash flow; see Hiring Your First Employee or Outsourcing Offshore.
How much does it cost to start a practice overall?
A lean solo start can be modest; see How Much Does It Cost to Start an Accounting Firm in the UK?
Where do I start?
Use the setup checklist to work through eligibility, registrations, client documents and technology in order.
For a single ordered list covering all of the above in sequence, see Accounting Practice Setup Checklist, and for the full step-by-step roadmap, see the main pillar guide, How to Start an Accounting Practice in the UK.
How Remindoo helps
Once you have worked through the compliance basics covered in these 50 questions, Remindoo gives you one place to run client records, onboarding, tasks and deadlines rather than juggling spreadsheets and email. Companies House sync and a single searchable client record mean new client data does not need re-entering across multiple tools, and standardised onboarding requests keep AML and engagement letter steps consistent from your very first client onward. A 60-day free trial lets you see how the platform fits your practice before you commit, whether you are still working through this checklist or already have clients on board.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a brand-new practitioner start?
Confirm your qualification and practising certificate position first, then register for AML supervision, since you cannot lawfully take on clients without it.
Is this list of 50 questions exhaustive?
No, it covers the most common questions; each linked guide goes into significantly more depth on its specific topic.
Do the answers here apply to bookkeepers as well as accountants?
Largely yes, though bookkeepers may not need a practising certificate even though AML supervision still applies.
How often do these rules change?
Regularly — tax adviser registration and AML supervision arrangements are both changing in 2026 and beyond, so check dates on each linked guide.
Can I use this page as a quick reference?
Yes, it is designed as a directory; use the themed sections to jump to the relevant full guide for detail.
Is legal or regulatory advice still needed alongside these guides?
For anything materially uncertain, such as covenant enforceability or complex AML judgement calls, take specific advice from a solicitor or your professional body.
Start your free Remindoo trial
Set up deadlines, onboarding and workflows for your new practice with a 60-day free trial.
Sources
Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not legal or regulatory advice. Check with your professional body.
