How we agree your fee, and what’s included.
Fixed fees, agreed upfront. Clear about the work, clear about the cost.
Every GS Associates client has a fixed fee agreed before any work starts, based on how you trade, how you keep your records and the mix of accounts, tax, payroll and support you need. Ongoing support is paid as a fixed monthly amount; one-off work is quoted separately. The written proposal shows the fee, any VAT and the total payable, and anything outside the agreed scope is priced and agreed with you first.
A personal quote
A fee that fits
your business.
It starts with a free conversation of around 30 minutes about your business, how you manage your accounts now and the help you’d like. Then we send a written proposal with the work, the fee and what happens next, which you can consider without obligation. Your quote takes three things into account.
- Your business
- How you trade and the accounts and returns you need.
- Your records
- How you keep your records and how much bookkeeping is involved.
- Your support
- The mix of accounts, tax, payroll and ongoing help you choose.
An agreed scope
Know what’s covered.
Before we start.
Your quote explains the work we’ll handle, what we’ll need from you and the fee. You decide whether to go ahead before any work starts.
- Services included
- The specific accounts, returns and support agreed for your business.
- Software costs
- Any subscription costs, with what’s included or paid separately made clear.
- Extra work
- Work beyond the agreed scope, such as bringing overdue bookkeeping up to date or dealing with an HMRC enquiry, is explained and priced before we go ahead.
- How you pay
- Ongoing support is a fixed monthly payment so you can plan the cost. One-off work, such as a personal tax return or a company formation, is quoted separately with payment agreed before we start. Proposals show the fee, any VAT and the total payable.
Before you get started
Your questions,
answered.
Why isn't there one monthly price?
Every business needs a different mix of help. We'll look at your records and the work you need, then give you a fixed quote with a clear scope before we start.
Is accounting software included?
Your quote will explain any software subscription costs and whether they're included in your fee or paid separately. If you already use software, we'll talk through what works for you.
What if I need extra help?
Tell us what's changed. We'll discuss the extra work and agree the cost with you before going ahead. If your business needs more ongoing support, we can review the scope together.
How much does a small business accountant cost?
It depends on what your business needs. A sole trader with tidy records and one tax return a year needs far less work than a VAT-registered company with staff, so we don’t publish one price for everyone. Once we’ve seen your records we agree a fixed fee, explain what it covers and what would count as extra, and you decide before anything starts.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. It usually takes around 30 minutes and covers your business, how you manage your accounts now and what you’d like help with. If you’re changing accountants we’ll also cover any approaching deadlines and the handover. Afterwards you get a written proposal, with time to consider it and no obligation.
Can you quote if I already have an accountant?
Yes. We'll talk through the support you're looking for and agree the work and fee. If you decide to move, we can arrange the handover with your permission.
Let’s work out what you need.
Tell us a little about your business and the help you’re looking for. We’ll take it from there.
