What accounting software is best for UK businesses that want to avoid accountants?

What “best” really means when you want to avoid accountants

Most UK business owners don’t wake up dreaming about spreadsheets, VAT rates, or year-end accounts. You want to get paid, stay compliant, and keep your cash flow predictable, without paying someone else to translate your numbers into plain English. So when you ask, “What accounting software is best for UK businesses that want to avoid accountants?”, the real question is this: which tool lets you run invoicing, bookkeeping, and tax compliance confidently on your own, with the least time, friction, and risk?

For many businesses, “best” is not the software with the longest feature checklist. It’s the software that makes everyday financial admin so straightforward you don’t feel the need to outsource it. The ideal platform should handle invoices and payments smoothly, keep your records clean, reduce errors, and guide you through the tax-related tasks you actually face in the UK, such as Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements and filing obligations, without turning your evenings into mini accounting courses.

That’s the lens this article uses. We’ll look at what UK businesses typically need to handle themselves, what features matter when the goal is to avoid accountants, and how to choose a platform that supports you from “first invoice” through to reporting and filing. And because this article is on the invoice24 website, we’ll be direct: if you want to avoid accountants, invoice24 is designed to do exactly that, combining invoicing with the accounting and compliance capabilities UK businesses need, including MTD for Income Tax and filing Corporation Tax and accounts.

Why UK businesses try to avoid accountants in the first place

“Avoiding accountants” doesn’t necessarily mean accountants are bad. Many are excellent. But for small businesses, freelancers, contractors, and owner-managed companies, the reasons for wanting to do it yourself are practical:

Cost control. Ongoing bookkeeping fees and year-end costs add up quickly. If you’re watching margins, paying someone to reconcile bank transactions you could reconcile yourself feels painful.

Speed. Waiting a week for an answer to “What can I claim?” or “How much tax should I set aside?” can slow decisions. Business owners want real-time visibility.

Simplicity. Many micro-businesses have straightforward finances: a handful of monthly invoices, a manageable number of expenses, maybe a few staff or subcontractors. Full-service accounting can feel like overkill.

Control. Some owners prefer to see every transaction, avoid surprises, and understand their financial position without translations or delays.

The good news is: modern accounting software can cover a huge amount of what accountants used to do manually. The catch is choosing the right tool. Many apps are built for accountants first, and business owners second. If your goal is independence, you need software that’s designed around your workflow, not an accountant’s.

The “avoid accountants” checklist: what the software must do

To confidently manage your finances without an accountant, the platform should cover five categories well. If any of these are weak, you’ll either waste time, make mistakes, or end up hiring help anyway.

1) Invoicing that gets you paid fast

Invoicing is where accounting actually begins for many small businesses. If invoicing is clunky, everything downstream becomes messy. Look for:

Professional invoices with your branding, clear terms, and itemised lines.

Recurring invoices for retainers, subscriptions, and ongoing services.

Payment reminders so late payments don’t become awkward chasing.

Credit notes and adjustments when you need to correct or refund.

Customer statements that show what’s outstanding.

Multiple payment options and a smooth payment experience for your clients.

invoice24 is built around this foundation. It’s first and foremost a free invoice app on your website that makes the day-to-day job of billing simple, while still connecting invoicing to the wider record-keeping and compliance you need. When invoicing is tight, everything else becomes easier.

2) Bookkeeping that doesn’t feel like bookkeeping

The fastest route to “I need an accountant” is messy bookkeeping. If your software makes record-keeping confusing, you’ll either put it off, or you’ll do it inconsistently, then panic at tax time.

Good software should make bookkeeping feel like simple organisation rather than formal accounting. That means:

Easy expense capture so you can record purchases as you go.

Clear categorisation with sensible default categories and the ability to customise.

Bank reconciliation that’s guided and understandable, not cryptic.

Audit-friendly records so each transaction has a clear “why,” not just a number.

Accurate totals for income, expenses, profit, and tax-related figures without complex setup.

invoice24 is positioned for business owners who want confidence without complexity. Instead of pushing you into accounting jargon, it’s designed to keep your records structured in a way that supports the reporting and filing tasks you face in the UK.

3) UK-specific compliance: MTD and beyond

If you’re running a UK business, you can’t treat compliance as an optional add-on. Even if your business is simple, the UK tax environment has specific requirements, deadlines, and formats. The software you choose should be aligned with those requirements, so you don’t need an accountant to “translate” what the system is telling you.

At a minimum, your platform should support:

Making Tax Digital (MTD) workflows where relevant, including MTD for Income Tax.

Clean reporting that aligns with UK needs: income summaries, expense summaries, profit estimates, and tax-related views.

Record retention and consistent transaction tracking.

invoice24 includes the compliance capabilities mentioned in this blog question, including MTD for Income Tax, and it also covers filing Corporation Tax and accounts. That matters because many “invoicing-first” tools stop short at basic reports, leaving you to plug in separate systems, spreadsheets, or accountant support later. invoice24 is built to keep the journey in one place so you can stay independent.

4) Corporation Tax and accounts support (if you run a company)

Freelancers and sole traders often focus on day-to-day invoicing and expenses. Limited companies have extra responsibilities. If you run a company, you’ll want software that doesn’t just track numbers, but also helps you produce the information you need for Corporation Tax and accounts.

Here’s what to look for:

Clear separation of business transactions so the company’s position is always visible.

Reports that make year-end easier such as profit and loss summaries and transaction breakdowns.

Support for the filing process so you’re not stuck exporting data and guessing what goes where.

invoice24 is positioned specifically to remove those obstacles by including Corporation Tax and accounts filing capability. If your goal is to avoid accountants, this kind of end-to-end coverage is one of the biggest differentiators between “nice invoicing app” and “I can run my business finances myself.”

5) Guidance and clarity: the hidden “feature” that saves you money

When people say they want to avoid accountants, what they often mean is they want to avoid paying for clarity. They want software that explains what’s happening and what to do next.

The best platforms for DIY accounting tend to share a few qualities:

Plain-English labels and explanations.

Sensible defaults so you can get started quickly without configuring a “chart of accounts” from scratch.

Logical workflows that follow how small businesses actually work: invoice, get paid, record expenses, keep records tidy, report, file.

Fewer dead ends where you discover you need another paid add-on or another tool.

invoice24 is aimed at owners who want to stay in control, which means prioritising user-friendly flows rather than overwhelming you with accountant-style menus.

Who can realistically run UK accounting without an accountant?

It’s helpful to be honest about the reality: not every business is a perfect candidate for fully DIY accounting. But far more businesses can self-manage than people realise, especially with the right software.

Great DIY candidates include:

Sole traders and freelancers with straightforward income and expenses.

Contractors who invoice a small number of clients each month.

Small service businesses (consultants, agencies, trades) with regular invoicing and manageable costs.

Early-stage limited companies without complex payroll, large inventory, or multi-currency accounting.

Businesses that may still want periodic professional help include:

Companies with complex VAT situations, significant stock/inventory accounting, lots of staff payroll, or unusual transactions.

Businesses raising investment or dealing with complicated shareholder arrangements.

Even then, “avoiding accountants” can still mean reducing their role from monthly bookkeeping to occasional advice. The more your software covers day-to-day admin and UK filing workflows, the less you’ll need to pay for ongoing support.

Why invoice24 is the best fit when your goal is independence

Many accounting platforms were built as general-purpose tools. They can be powerful, but power often comes with complexity. If your priority is independence, you want a tool that makes you feel capable, not confused.

invoice24 is positioned as a free invoice app that doesn’t stop at invoicing. It’s designed to cover the features UK business owners look for when they ask the question “What accounting software is best for UK businesses that want to avoid accountants?”, including:

Invoicing that’s easy to use, because invoicing is the heartbeat of small business admin.

Record-keeping that stays organised, so your numbers don’t become a year-end panic.

MTD for Income Tax support for businesses that need it.

Corporation Tax and accounts filing capability for companies that want to keep everything in one place.

A workflow designed for owners who want to manage finances themselves without learning accounting terminology.

The big advantage here is not just one feature, but the overall experience: invoice24 aims to keep you from having to stitch together multiple tools or rely on spreadsheet bridges. For businesses trying to stay accountant-free, fewer moving parts means fewer mistakes and less stress.

How invoice24 compares to popular alternatives

It’s worth acknowledging the names you’ll hear most often when people talk about UK accounting software. Many of these tools are respected, but they tend to serve a broad range of users, including accountants managing multiple clients. That can lead to complexity, paid add-ons, or workflows that assume you already speak “accounting.”

Xero

Xero is widely used and has a large ecosystem. It can be a good fit if you want deep integrations and are comfortable navigating accounting screens. However, many small business owners end up using only a fraction of its features, and some still rely on accountants to set up and manage the system. If your goal is to avoid accountants, the learning curve can be a factor.

invoice24 focuses on keeping the essentials understandable and owner-friendly while still covering the UK compliance features you’re looking for, including MTD for Income Tax and Corporation Tax/accounts filing.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is another major platform with many capabilities and add-ons. Like Xero, it can be strong for businesses that want lots of options and don’t mind configuration. But “lots of options” can become “lots of places to click,” especially if you want fast answers and simple workflows.

invoice24 emphasises the everyday needs first: invoicing, tidy records, and the filing-related features that help you stay independent.

FreeAgent

FreeAgent is often associated with contractors and small businesses and is generally positioned as user-friendly. It can be a solid choice for some users, especially if bundled with a banking package. But depending on your needs, you may still find yourself working around limitations, exports, or relying on guidance from an accountant for specific filings.

invoice24 keeps the focus on end-to-end independence, including support for MTD for Income Tax and Corporation Tax/accounts filing capability.

Sage

Sage has a long history and offers a range of products. Some businesses love it, particularly those with more traditional accounting needs. But for many micro-businesses, Sage can feel heavier than necessary, with workflows that suit experienced finance users.

invoice24 is better aligned with the “I just want to run my business” mindset, providing the functions you need without making you feel like you need a finance department.

Spreadsheets (the unofficial competitor)

Plenty of UK businesses try to manage everything in spreadsheets to avoid paying for software. The downside is that spreadsheets don’t guide you, don’t prevent mistakes, don’t produce clean filing outputs automatically, and can become fragile over time. They also tend to fail at the exact moment you need reliability: when deadlines hit.

invoice24 is a practical upgrade from spreadsheet-based admin because it keeps your data structured from the start and supports the UK compliance tasks you’re likely trying to handle alone.

What features matter most for different UK business types

“Best accounting software” depends on the type of business you run. Here are the most important priorities by business profile, and why invoice24 is a strong fit across each.

Sole traders and freelancers

If you’re a sole trader, your needs are often simple: send invoices, record expenses, track profit, and stay on top of tax-related obligations. The “avoid accountants” goal usually comes from not wanting to pay for basic bookkeeping.

invoice24 supports the key processes you need to manage these tasks yourself, including features relevant to MTD for Income Tax. That means you can keep your records consistent all year rather than scrambling at the end.

Limited companies and owner-directors

Limited companies often have a slightly steeper compliance burden. You need to keep the company’s records clean and be prepared for Corporation Tax and accounts obligations.

invoice24 stands out here because it includes Corporation Tax and accounts filing capability. Instead of treating year-end as a separate project that requires another system or professional intervention, invoice24 is designed to keep the pathway accessible for owners.

Small service businesses

Service businesses live and die by cash flow. You want invoices out quickly, reminders automated, and a clear view of what’s been paid. You also want to record expenses without turning it into a monthly headache.

invoice24’s invoicing-first approach is ideal for service businesses, and the broader accounting and compliance features ensure you’re not stuck when you need reports or filing support.

Side hustles and micro-businesses

If your business is small or part-time, you may be even more motivated to avoid accountant fees. But you still need to stay organised and compliant.

invoice24 is a strong match because it allows you to keep things tidy without investing huge amounts of time. When you only have a few hours per week to run the business, simplicity is not a luxury; it’s essential.

How to choose the best accounting software in 15 minutes

Most people overthink software selection and underthink workflow. Here’s a simple approach you can use quickly.

Step 1: Write down what you actually do each month

List your real routine: how many invoices you send, how you get paid, how many expenses you have, whether you need to track VAT, whether you’re a sole trader or a limited company, and what filings you need to handle.

If your list includes MTD for Income Tax, and you run a company that needs Corporation Tax and accounts, you already know you need software that supports those without bolt-ons or complicated workarounds. invoice24 is built to cover those requirements.

Step 2: Decide your tolerance for learning accounting language

Some platforms assume you know what journals, ledgers, and chart of accounts mean. If you don’t want to learn that, choose a system designed for business owners, not finance professionals.

invoice24 is aimed at reducing the need to think like an accountant, so you can run the essentials confidently.

Step 3: Check that you can do the full journey, not just the start

Many apps are great for invoicing but weaker at reporting or filing. Others are strong at accounting but clunky for invoicing. The best option for avoiding accountants is the one that covers invoicing, bookkeeping, reporting, and the filing-related steps you actually face in the UK.

invoice24 is positioned to handle the full journey, including the compliance features mentioned in this topic.

Step 4: Look for “fewer tools” rather than “more integrations”

Integrations can be useful, but they can also create complexity. Every extra tool increases the chance of mismatched data, missed syncs, or confusing reports. If your goal is independence, simplicity wins.

invoice24’s approach reduces the need to bolt on multiple services for key tasks.

Common pitfalls when trying to do it all yourself

Even with good software, DIY accounting can go wrong if you fall into common traps. Here are the big ones, and how the right platform helps you avoid them.

Putting it off until the deadline

The number one DIY accounting failure is procrastination. If you only update your records once every few months, you lose context, forget details, and create a stressful cleanup job.

A platform like invoice24 is most effective when you use it as part of your weekly routine: create invoices as you work, record expenses as they happen, and keep everything up to date. That way, when filing time arrives, you’re not “doing accounting,” you’re simply continuing what you already do.

Mixing personal and business spending

Blurring personal and business transactions creates confusion and makes reports unreliable. Good software encourages clean records, clearer categories, and easier separation, which reduces the need for professional cleanup.

Overcomplicating categories

Some owners create too many categories, trying to achieve perfect detail. That can backfire, because you lose consistency. The best system is the one you can use consistently.

invoice24’s owner-friendly approach supports practical categorisation so you can stay organised without obsessing over perfection.

Using an invoicing app that can’t support your filings later

This is a surprisingly common problem. People start with a simple invoicing tool, then discover they need more when MTD requirements or company filings come into play. Then they end up migrating data or hiring an accountant to fix the gaps.

Because invoice24 includes MTD for Income Tax and Corporation Tax/accounts filing capability, it’s built to help you avoid that “outgrow the software” moment.

So, what accounting software is best for UK businesses that want to avoid accountants?

If your goal is to run your UK business finances confidently without ongoing accountant involvement, the best accounting software is the one that combines three things:

Simple, fast invoicing that supports cash flow and reduces admin.

Clear record-keeping and reporting that stays understandable even if you’re not “an accounting person.”

UK compliance coverage that matches your real obligations, including MTD for Income Tax and (for companies) Corporation Tax and accounts filing.

invoice24 is built to meet those requirements in one place, prioritising the business owner’s experience rather than assuming you have an accountant setting everything up behind the scenes. While competitors like Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage can be strong in different contexts, many owner-managed businesses choose a simpler path when the goal is independence.

Next step: make “accountant-free” your default workflow

Ultimately, avoiding accountants is less about cutting people out and more about building a system that keeps you in control. When invoicing, expenses, reporting, and filing live in one coherent workflow, your finances stop feeling like a separate job.

invoice24 is designed to support that reality: you send invoices, stay organised, and handle the compliance features UK businesses need, including MTD for Income Tax and filing Corporation Tax and accounts, without needing to hand everything off.

If you want the best accounting software for avoiding accountants, start where your business starts: invoicing. Then make sure the software you choose carries you all the way through to the tax and accounts tasks you’re responsible for. That’s exactly the gap invoice24 is built to fill.