Some people love numbers. They see a spreadsheet and feel joy. The rest of us? We stare at it for five minutes before suddenly remembering every chore we’ve ever put off. If that sounds familiar, it’s probably time to call in the experts.
Bookkeeping isn’t just about tracking expenses and making sure the taxman doesn’t come knocking – it’s the backbone of a healthy business.
And if you’d rather focus on actually running your business instead of deciphering financial statements, London has no shortage of top-notch bookkeepers ready to take the burden off your plate.
From small business specialists to cloud-based accounting pros, we’ve rounded up the best bookkeeping services in the city, so you don’t have to.
How much does bookkeeping services charge in London?
Bookkeeping services in London typically charge between £30 and £50 per hour, with some firms offering fixed monthly rates or daily rates of around £200. However, the final price may change depending on the complexity of the tasks, the bookkeeper’s experience, and your business’s specific needs.
How we chose
- Industry Experience & Credentials – We looked for bookkeeping firms with proven experience, certified accountants, and accreditations from recognised bodies like ACCA or CIMA.
- Service Range & Specialisation – We assessed whether the services cater to various business types, from freelancers to large corporations. We reviewed service lists and case studies to confirm they offer everything from tax preparation to payroll management.
- Technology & Software Integration – We checked whether these bookkeeping services utilise modern accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage. We reviewed their service descriptions and, where possible, tested their integrations with business management tools.
- Customer Support & Accessibility – We considered how responsive and accessible each firm is by reviewing their communication channels, response times, and availability.
1. BookCheck London
Location: 1 Northumberland Ave, Trafalgar Sq
Contact: +44 20 7989 0259
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We were seriously struggling with our bookkeeping – receipts everywhere, spreadsheets that made no sense.
These guys were recommended to us, and they’ve really helped us out. They have over 30 years of experience, which shows in the way they handle things.
What we really appreciated was that they don’t just do basic bookkeeping. They provide management accounts that are actually understandable and helpful. We get reports that clearly show us our financial situation, and that helps us make better decisions.
They are very accurate, but more importantly, they give us information we can actually use to improve our business.
A major plus for us is that every report we receive is thoroughly checked by one of their nine qualified accountants. It’s not just a software-generated report; a real person reviews it. That gives us a lot of confidence in the numbers.
They’re experts with Xero and Sage, so it’s a great fit if you use those platforms. They even customised the setup for our specific business needs.
However, they’re in high demand, so we recommend contacting them now so you can be catered to as soon as possible.
Takes the headache out of bookkeeping with reliable service
“We have worked with Bookcheck for several months now, a very straightforward system and always a very helpful, warm person to help if any questions arise. So glad to have found them for management accounts and payroll, takes the headache away!”
Lindsay Beaton, Google Review
Handles payroll with an error-free approach
“We have used BookCheck for many years for their integrated bookkeeping and management accounts service and always found them helpful, efficient and friendly, so much so that we now use them for our payroll and for which they provide a light-touch, responsive and error-free service.”
Trevor Fayers, Google Review
2. SH Accounting & Bookkeeping Ltd
Location: 288 Bishopsgate
Contact: +44 20 7118 4340
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
SH Accounting & Bookkeeping Ltd have been around for over 25 years, so they’ve got a solid track record.
They offer a wide range of services, which is good. We’re talking bookkeeping (of course), VAT returns (they handle the submission too), management reports, and payroll. They even do full finance department solutions!
What we found interesting is that they seem to really focus on tailoring their services. They take the time to understand your business, what’s important to you, and your key metrics. They then build a solution around that.
They’re also a Xero Champion Partner, which is a plus if you’re a Xero user (or thinking about becoming one). It means they really know the software inside and out.
And, bonus, they offer a free 30-minute consultation. We always appreciate that – it’s a chance to chat with them, explain your situation, and see if they’re the right fit.
However – and this seems to be a common theme with the good ones – they’re popular. Word gets around, and businesses that are good at what they do tend to be busy
Streamlines all accounting processes for greater efficiency
“We’ve been working with SH Accounting & Bookkeeping for a while now, and the difference they’ve made is incredible. They’ve completely streamlined all our accounting processes, which has freed up so much time for us to focus on what really matters—running the business. They manage everything for us, from bookkeeping and payroll to tronc, VAT, and management reporting. It’s all handled efficiently, giving us peace of mind. What really stands out, though, is their availability and support. They always make time for calls and meetings, no matter how busy they are. It’s reassuring to know we have a team we can rely on, who genuinely care about helping us succeed. Highly recommend SH Accounting & Bookkeeping to anyone looking for professional, reliable, and proactive accountants!”
Julian Oschmann, Google Review
Handles complex reconciliation tasks in the background.
“I’ve been working with these guys for over a decade now, initially they took care of company receipts and expenses, but as we’ve grown I’ve found myself relying on them more and more. They’ve helped me evolve my own processes and technologies to make the work I do around invoicing quicker, easier to reconcile and with frankly a lot less mistakes. An accounting package has been implemented, allowing me to take control of reconciling but with them in the background pickup the bits I don’t have time do. A new company credit card system is now linked in too, plus all sorts of business fundamentals. All credit to Syed is his team: reliable, knowledgeable, unflappable and also somehow able to understand what I mean when I use all of the wrong words in a “please can you do all of this so I can get on with running my business” sort of way.”
Rich Coles, Google Review
3. Rosemary Bookkeeping Stratford
Location: Suite 1, 129 Whitechapel Rd
Contact: +44 20 8077 2029
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
We’ve looked into Rosemary Bookkeeping Stratford, run by Mohammad Hossain. They seem like a solid choice if you’re after a really reliable, traditional bookkeeping service – the kind where we get a lot of personal attention.
They handle everything we’d expect: all the day-to-day bookkeeping, VAT returns (and they submit them for you, which we love), and compliance with HMRC and Making Tax Digital.
We noticed they’re experts with Sage50 Accounts and Payroll. If we were Sage users, that would be a huge plus for us.
What we really appreciated was their commitment to regular reports – weekly, monthly, yearly – and that they customise them for your business. That’s exactly the kind of information we need to make smart decisions.
However, their focus is very much on that hands-on, personalised service. If you’re looking for a super automated system where we do a lot of the work through an online platform, this isn’t it.
Corrects past bookkeeping errors for improved accuracy
“Mohammed services in XERO book keeping and my company accounts and has a 5 star service he is detailed, perceptive and makes every effort to ensure compliance with VAT rules. I am fortunate to have found him and he has sorted out a lot of my xero accounts that a previous book keeper did wrong and instructed me to change to better compliance. Thank you! I would recommend him to anyone.”
Vincenzo N, Google Review
Ensures clients feel confident in handling their bookkeeping
“Moammed is very knowledgeable, helpful and extremely patient with all things bookkeeping. He has helped me to set up my XERO and explained everything I need to run my bookkeeping. Great professional that I would recommend if you want to simplify your bookkeeping processes.”
Thanos Antoniou, Google Review
4. Better Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd
Location: 4 Grasmere Ave
Contact: +44 20 8629 3922
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Better Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd stands out as a modern, tech-savvy bookkeeping option for UK-based SMEs.
We love that these guys are all about QuickBooks Online, Sage Cloud, and Xero. They might be a good fit if you’re already comfortable with cloud-based accounting, or if you’re looking to make that switch and get fully MTD-compliant.
We were really impressed with their emphasis on automation. We get the sense they’re not just about ticking boxes; they’re about using technology to make the whole bookkeeping process as streamlined as possible.
We like their message: spend less time on data entry and more time on the things that actually help us grow our business.
We also appreciate that they’re active on social media – Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter). We always like to see that; it gives us a better sense of who they are and what they stand for.
However, they are a premium service, so make sure you get a detailed quote and compare it with other options.
Ensures accuracy and up-to-date financial records
“We’ve been using Better Bookkeeping for our accounting needs, and the service has been exceptional from start to finish. Their team is professional, reliable, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure everything is accurate and up-to-date. As a business owner, having peace of mind when it comes to finances is invaluable, and Better Bookkeeping delivers just that. They are incredibly organized, approachable, and quick to respond to any queries. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a top-quality bookkeeping and accounting service. Five stars all the way!”
Craig Ryan, Google Review
Helps clients stay on top of finances effortlessly
“We couldn’t be happier with the exceptional service provided by this bookkeeping team! They are professional, detail-oriented, and incredibly efficient, making the entire process seamless and stress-free. Not only do they ensure everything is accurate and organized, but their proactive approach and clear communication help us stay on top of our finances effortlessly. We’ve been consistently impressed by their dedication and expertise, which gives us peace of mind knowing our books are in excellent hands. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy bookkeeping support!”
Zorana St John, Google Review
5. 381 Accountancy & Bookkeeping Services Ltd
Location: 4 Grasmere Ave
Contact: +44 20 8629 3922
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We’ve delved into 381 Accountancy & Bookkeeping Services Ltd., and they paint a picture of a one-stop shop for all things finance. Reliable, professional, approachable – that’s the vibe we get from their team description, and that’s definitely what we look for.
They’ve got the full spectrum covered: bookkeeping, payroll, the dreaded tax and VAT returns. They can even help you set up a company in the UK if you are taking that leap.
A standout feature for us is their modern accounting software, which provides clients with online access to their financial data. We’re all about transparency, and being able to check in whenever we need to is a major advantage.
Their emphasis on fast, responsive customer care is another big plus. Nobody wants to be left in the dark with urgent questions.
However, let’s be real: all this comes with a price tag. They’re not positioning themselves as the bargain option.
Handles queries quickly with clear and helpful communication
“We’ve been using Better Bookkeeping for our accounting needs, and the service has been exceptional from start to finish. Their team is professional, reliable, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure everything is accurate and up-to-date. As a business owner, having peace of mind when it comes to finances is invaluable, and Better Bookkeeping delivers just that. They are incredibly organized, approachable, and quick to respond to any queries. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a top-quality bookkeeping and accounting service. Five stars all the way!”
Craig Ryan, Google Review
Provides proactive support and clear communication
“We couldn’t be happier with the exceptional service provided by this bookkeeping team! They are professional, detail-oriented, and incredibly efficient, making the entire process seamless and stress-free. Not only do they ensure everything is accurate and organized, but their proactive approach and clear communication help us stay on top of our finances effortlessly. We’ve been consistently impressed by their dedication and expertise, which gives us peace of mind knowing our books are in excellent hands. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable and trustworthy bookkeeping support!”
Zorana St John, Google Review
