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Checklist · Internal
Annual Fee Review Checklist for Accountants
Don't leave money on the table—review your pricing annually as a standard practice.
Built by a practising Chartered Accountant · Unlimited users · 60-day free trial · Last updated 23 September 2026
Quick answer
Reviewing fees should be a regular, unemotional part of your firm’s management. Look at total time spent versus fixed fees for every client, identify 'scope creep' that hasn't been charged for, and communicate any increases clearly and well in advance.
How do you start a fee review?
Start with the data. Compare the time spent on each client over the last 12 months against the fees billed for that period.
If you aren't tracking time, use a simplified approach: estimate the number of hours spent on typical tasks (like VAT returns) and multiply by your hourly rate to see if the current fixed fee holds up.
How do you tell clients about a fee increase?
Be transparent. Explain the value you provide, any changes in the regulatory environment, and why the increase is necessary to maintain service levels.
Don't apologise. You are running a professional service that costs money to deliver. Keep the message professional, direct, and sent well before the start of the new billing year.
Checklist preview
0/4 done · showing 4 of 8 itemsThe full 8-item checklist is in the download below. Enter your name and email to get it as a Word or PDF file.
This is a standard checklist. Each firm's requirements may vary, so please cross-check everything against current GOV.UK, Companies House and professional body guidance before relying on it.
See it working with your own clients
A 30-minute walkthrough using your services, deadlines and templates.
Turn this into a task and subtask template in Remindoo
Save each group as a task with subtasks, attach it to the right service and let recurring tasks create it for every client, every period. Each item gets an owner and a deadline, and nothing depends on someone remembering to print the list. See task and subtask templates.
What are the common mistakes?
- Putting off the review for years
- Only increasing fees for 'easy' clients
- Not having a clear business case for the increase
- Apologising for the increase in the letter
- Waiting until the last minute to communicate
“Automation saves time and no follow-up is missed.”
Frequently asked questions
How much should I increase by?
It depends on inflation, your operating costs, and the value you provide. Often, a small annual increase (e.g., 5-10%) is better than a huge jump every three years.
Should I offer a 'value' explanation?
Yes, focus on the proactive advice and compliance peace of mind you provide, not just the 'cost of doing business'.
What if a client leaves?
It happens. Use it as an opportunity to replace them with a client who fits your pricing model better.
Do I need to change their engagement letter?
If the fee change is part of an annual adjustment, a simple letter or email is often enough. If the scope has fundamentally changed, issue a new engagement letter.
Should I review fees for everyone?
Yes, even the 'easy' clients. It’s unfair to penalise those who have been with you the longest by not adjusting their fees.
How do I handle scope creep?
Use the fee review to point out the additional work performed and explain that future work of this type will be charged separately.
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Sources
Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice.
Why organised billing matters for accounting firms
Late or missed invoices quietly damage cash flow. Linking billing to the services you have agreed with each client makes it easier to charge for all the work you deliver.
Healthier cash flow
Invoices raised on time, with a clear record of what is outstanding, reduce the time spent chasing payment.
Fewer missed charges
When fees are tied to agreed services, one-off extras and recurring work are less likely to be forgotten.
Fewer fee disputes
Clients who signed a proposal or engagement letter setting out the fee are less likely to challenge an invoice.
Better pricing decisions
Seeing what each client pays alongside the work involved shows where fees need reviewing.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Agree fees in a signed proposal or engagement letter before work starts.
- Keep your services catalogue up to date, so prices on new proposals are consistent.
- Review unpaid invoices every week, not only at month end.
- Review fees annually, and be ready to explain changes in scope.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
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