UK legal FAQ
Plain-English answers on protected titles, anti-money laundering (AML) supervision, insurance and business registration for UK accountancy and bookkeeping practices.
The word "accountant" is not protected by statute, but designations such as Chartered Accountant, Chartered Certified Accountant, Chartered Tax Adviser and AAT Licensed Accountant can only be used by qualifying members of the relevant body.
Any business providing accountancy, bookkeeping or tax services falls within the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and must be supervised for AML — by its professional body or by HMRC — before trading.
Most professional bodies require members in practice to hold professional indemnity (PI) insurance at a minimum level. Even where not required, trading without it leaves you personally exposed to claims.
Register as self-employed with HMRC or incorporate a limited company at Companies House, and consider VAT registration, data protection (ICO) registration and, for paid tax advice, HMRC's tax adviser registration.
The word itself is not protected, but Remindoo does not recommend trading without qualifications, a practising licence where required, AML supervision and insurance. Protected designations such as Chartered Accountant can only be used by qualifying members.
Yes. Bookkeeping, accountancy and tax services are covered by the Money Laundering Regulations, so you need a supervisor — your professional body or HMRC — before you start.
It is compulsory for members in practice with most accountancy bodies, and strongly advisable for everyone else. Check your body's minimum cover.
Members of bodies such as ICAEW and ACCA generally need a practising certificate to offer public practice services. AAT and ICB run their own licensing schemes for members in practice. Check your body's rules.
Both are common. The right choice depends on liability, tax and your body's rules on firm structure — speak to your professional body or an adviser.
Most businesses that process personal data electronically must pay the ICO data protection fee unless an exemption applies. Accountancy practices usually do.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check current GOV.UK guidance and your professional body before acting.
Start with the workflows that cause the most chasing, then bring leads, AML, proposals and clients into the same calm operating system.
Accounting firms run on deadlines: VAT returns, payroll, confirmation statements, accounts and Self Assessment. Recording every job as a task, with an owner and a date, is the simplest way to make sure nothing is missed.
HMRC and Companies House charge penalties for late filing. A task for every deadline, with an internal date before it, gives the team a buffer.
Recorded tasks mean work continues when someone is off sick, on leave or has left the firm.
Subtask checklists make every job follow the same steps and reviews, whoever does the work.
Filters by owner, status and deadline show at a glance what is late, what is due and who needs help.
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.
“With Remindoo, everything from the first enquiry to onboarding and ongoing client management is tracked in one place… It saves us hours and gives me, as a practice owner, complete visibility of where the firm stands.”
“The biggest benefit is having clients, tasks, deadlines, workflows, proposals and communication all organised in one place.”
“During my trial, the team were absolutely amazing. They helped onboard my clients, set up my settings and made sure everything was ready for me to use… they made the whole process completely stress-free.”
“It brings client information, tasks, recurring deadlines, workflows and reminders together in one place, giving us much better visibility across the team.”
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