# Accountants for Limited Companies: What You Should Expect in 2026/27 > What do accountants for limited companies actually do? Deadlines, director pay, 2026/27 dividend and Corporation Tax rates, costs and how to choose. Last updated: 2026-11-08 Blog | by Rob Young | November 2026 # Accountants for Limited Companies: What You Should Expect in 2026/27 ### Rob Young Running a limited company brings obligations that a sole trader never has to think about: statutory accounts, a company tax return, director payroll, dividends and a long list of filing deadlines. Accountants for limited companies exist to take that load off you and, done well, to help you make better decisions with your numbers. This guide explains what a good accountant actually does for a limited company, what a typical service includes, and how to judge whether the one you have is worth keeping. If you are still deciding between trading as a sole trader and incorporating, our guide to [sole trader or limited company](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/sole-trader-vs-limited-company-2026-27) compares the tax in 2026/27. Rates and thresholds are correct as we understand them at 6 November 2026. ## What does an accountant do for a limited company? At the core, your accountant keeps the company compliant and your tax bill as low as the rules legitimately allow. For most limited companies that means preparing and filing the annual statutory accounts with Companies House, preparing the Corporation Tax return (CT600) for HMRC, and filing the annual confirmation statement. It also covers running payroll for you as a director, working out how best to pay yourself, and filing your personal Self Assessment return. The best accountants also do work you will not find on a checklist. They tell you before the year end what your Corporation Tax is likely to be, flag when you are approaching the VAT threshold, and warn you early if a director’s loan account is heading towards a tax charge. That forward-looking part is the difference between a compliance service and a genuine adviser. ## The deadlines your accountant should be managing A limited company has several fixed dates, withmost of them being counted from its accounting year end. Missing them costs money so your accountant should diarise every one: 1. Annual accounts to Companies House: nine months after the year end. 2. Corporation Tax payment: nine months and one day after the year end for most companies. 3. Company Tax Return (CT600) filing: twelve months after the year end. 4. Confirmation statement: at least once every 12 months. 5. Self Assessment for directors: 31 January after the end of the tax year, with any tax due on the same date. Penalties for filing late have risen sharply. We cover the detail in our post on how [Corporation Tax late filing penalties have doubled](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/corporation-tax-late-filing-penalties-doubled). ## Paying yourself: salary, dividends and the 2026/27 rates Most owner-managed directors take a modest salary and the rest as dividends because dividends do not attract National Insurance and the rates for the individual are lower than PAYE tax. However, it is worth considering in any calculations the fact that dividend tax has increased in 2026/27 so it may not be the most efficient route if directors have other sources of income elsewhre. After the £500 dividend allowance, dividends are taxed at 10.75% in the basic rate band, 35.75% in the higher rate band and 39.35% at the additional rate, on top of the £12,570 personal allowance. Your accountant should model the right mix each year rather than repeat last year’s figures. Our guide to [paying yourself from a limited company tax-efficiently](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/pay-yourself-limited-company-tax-efficiently) shows how that works in practice. ## Corporation Tax: 19%, 25% and the band in between Companies with profits of £50,000 or less pay Corporation Tax at 19%, companies with profits above £250,000 pay 25%, and profits in between are taxed at 25% less marginal relief, which gives an effective rate between the two. Those limits are divided between associated companies, which catches out directors who own more than one business. A good accountant checks this every year and plans pension contributions, capital allowances and the timing of spending to keep profits in the right place. ## VAT, payroll and bookkeeping: what should be included Ask exactly what your fee covers. A full limited company service usually includes bookkeeping or a review of your books, VAT returns if you are registered (the threshold is £90,000 of taxable turnover over any rolling 12 months), payroll for you and any staff, and the year-end accounts and tax. Our [accounting and tax compliance service](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/accounting-tax-compliance) covers the compliance side, and our [bookkeeping, payroll and auto-enrolment service](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/bookkeeping-payroll-and-auto-enrolment-solutions) covers the day-to-day work. ## Director’s loan accounts and other traps If you take money out of the company that is not salary, a dividend or a genuine expense, it goes through your director’s loan account. If it is still owed to the company nine months after the year end, the company can face a tax charge on it. Read our explainer on [director’s loan accounts and the Section 455 rules](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/directors-loan-account-section-455-explained) before you borrow from your company. ## What do accountants for limited companies cost? Fees vary with the size of the company, how tidy the records are and how much advice you want. A small company with simple books will pay far less than a business with staff, VAT and monthly management accounts. We break down typical ranges in [how much accountants cost in the UK](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/how-much-do-accountants-cost). Whatever the price, ask for a fixed fee that lists exactly what is included. ## How to choose the right accountant for your limited company Look for a recognised qualification such as CIMA, ACCA or ICAEW, a fee agreed in writing, cloud accounting software so you can see your numbers in real time, and an adviser who contacts you before deadlines rather than after them. If you work as a contractor through your own company, you also want someone who understands IR35 and the expenses rules, which we cover in our guide to [accountants for contractors](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/accountants-for-contractors). ## Frequently Asked Questions. ### Does my limited company need an accountant? There is no legal requirement to use an accountant, but the directors are responsible for accurate accounts and returns. The rules are detailed enough that most owner-managed companies find the fee pays for itself in tax saved and penalties avoided. ### What does an accountant for a limited company charge? It depends on turnover, transaction volumes, VAT and payroll. Ask for a fixed monthly fee that lists exactly what is included, so there are no surprises at the year end. ### When are my limited company’s first accounts due? Your first accounts are due 21 months after the date you registered the company. Your Corporation Tax return and payment dates depend on your accounting period, and your accountant should confirm them as soon as you incorporate. ### Can I change accountant part-way through the year? Yes. You can switch at any time, and a good new accountant will handle the handover from your old firm and take over the records. Your first step is to ask for copies of your accounts, tax returns and the bookkeeping file. Need help? If you would like an accountant who plans with you throughout the year rather than only at the deadlines, feel free to contact us via our website and one of the team will come back to you. This guide is general information, and the rules and rates can change, so please speak to us before acting on it. Book a free consultation: https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact. Tags: corporation tax, dividends, limited companies, small business, startups, tax ![Rob Young, author at Love Your Accountants](https://loveyouraccountants.com/asset/2401/175-175-def/author-rob_young.png) **Author** ###### **Rob Young** Rob is Managing Director at LYA, supporting ambitious businesses to scale with confidence through clear planning and proactive financial insight. [Read more](https://loveyouraccountants.com/team-bio/rob-young) --- ### Related Blogs - [Accountants for Contractors: A UK Guide for 2026/27](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/accountants-for-contractors) — How contractors choose an accountant in 2026/27: IR35, expenses, VAT, director pay and tax investigation cover explained in plain English. - [Accountants for Limited Companies: What You Should Expect in 2026/27](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/accountants-for-limited-companies) — What does an accountant do for a limited company? Deadlines, director pay, 2026/27 tax rates and costs, and how to choose the right adviser. - [What to Do If You Can't Pay Your Self Assessment Tax Bill](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/cant-pay-self-assessment-tax-bill-time-to-pay) — If you can't pay your Self Assessment tax bill by 31 January, don't ignore it. Here's how HMRC's Time to Pay scheme works and how to set one up before penalties apply. - [Bank of England Raises Interest Rates to 4%: What It Means for Your Business](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/bank-of-england-interest-rate-rise-4-percent-business) — On 5 November 2026 the Bank of England raised interest rates to 4%, the first rise in over three years. Here's what it means for business loans, overdrafts and savings.