Here are practical, affordable options for outsourced accounting services in the UK plus how to choose the best fit for your business.

1. Types of providers (what to expect)

• UK-based boutique bookkeeping/accounting firms — local teams, UK compliance (VAT/MTD/HMRC), often priced per hour or fixed monthly packages for SMEs. Good for owners who want UK-ready filing and close communication. (a-wise.co.uk)
• Specialist Xero/QuickBooks/FreeAgent bookkeeping providers — cloud-first, efficient, cost‑effective for ongoing bookkeeping and management accounts. Often offer monthly packages and back‑log clean‑ups. (outsourcedfinancial.co.uk)
• Outsourcing/BPO companies (UK-headquartered with offshore delivery) — lower hourly rates by using lower‑cost delivery centers; suitable for larger volumes or fully managed finance functions but check data/security and UK compliance. (outsource-work.com)
• Freelancers / marketplace accountants — cheapest for small ad‑hoc tasks (hourly gigs on Fiverr, etc.), but vet qualifications (AAT/ACA), software experience and references. (Fiverr.com)

2. Affordable UK providers you can evaluate (examples and what they offer)

• Accounting Wise — small‑business bookkeeping with packages from low hourly rates; cloud software support and dedicated specialists. Good starting point for sole traders/very small firms. (a-wise.co.uk)
• Count4You — AAT‑qualified UK bookkeeping team; emphasis on compliance, works with Xero/QuickBooks/Sage and offers white‑label/outsourcing to accountancy practices. (Count4You.co.uk)
• Outsourced Financial — UK-based outsourced bookkeeping and management accounts; Xero specialists and monthly management reporting focus. (outsourcedfinancial.co.uk)
• Stellaripe — Xero/FreeAgent/QuickBooks certified, advertises outsourced bookkeeping at a fraction of in‑house costs and backlog/real‑time services. (Stellaripe.co.uk)
• Freelance marketplaces (example: Fiverr sellers) — low-cost options for one-off bookkeeping, migrations and small ongoing tasks; best if you carefully check ratings and UK tax experience. (Fiverr.com)

3. Typical price signals (what “affordable” looks like)

• Entry-level bookkeeping: from ~£20–£40 per hour or inexpensive monthly packages for very small businesses (some UK boutiques advertise similar starting rates). For more comprehensive monthly outsourcing (management accounts, payroll, VAT) expect higher monthly fees depending on transaction volume. (See provider pages above for exact current pricing.) (a-wise.co.uk)

4. How to choose (quick checklist)

• Compliance: ensure the provider understands UK VAT, Making Tax Digital (MTD), Companies Act reporting and HMRC deadlines. (Count4You.co.uk)
• Qualifications & insurance: look for AAT/ACA/ACCA-qualified staff and professional indemnity.
• Software fit: confirm Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or FreeAgent experience and whether they’ll work in your existing ledger. (Stellaripe.co.uk)
• Data security & GDPR: request data handling and encryption policies (especially if offshore delivery is used). (outsource-work.com)
• Onboarding & turnaround: ask about backlog cleanup, monthly reporting cadence, and SLA for queries.
• Trial or month‑to‑month contract: start with a short term or a small project to test quality before longer commitments.

5. Practical next steps (fast)

• Decide scope: bookkeeping only, bookkeeping + payroll + VAT, or full outsourced finance function.
• Shortlist 3 providers above (or local firms found via Google/Review sites). Ask for: pricing by transaction volume, sample engagement contract, CVs of staff who will work on your account, and references. (a-wise.co.uk)

If you’d like, tell me:

• your business size (monthly transactions / turnover), and whether you need payroll/VAT/management accounts — I can shortlist 3 firms/packages with estimated pricing and links to contact pages.