Companies · category

Top Accounting Firms in the UK

134 of 401 accounting firms ranked on evidence in the Q4 2026 edition.

TrustList ranking

Q4 2026 edition

134 of 401 accounting firms ranked on evidence held on 6 October 2026: client reviews, vetting, awards and facts each business states on its own website, which we read and date. Nobody pays to be placed.

Positions are fixed for the quarter; the next edition is due in January 2027.

How this is ranked About this edition

Flagship ranking · Q4 2026 edition

This page ranks accounting firms across the United Kingdom, from regional partnerships with long histories to small practices serving sole traders. TrustList lists 401 of them, and 80 earned a rank number in the Q4 2026 edition. Among the ranked, 19 hold a professional accreditation. Fifty-eight state a founding date, from the 1880s to the 2010s, with the 1980s most common at 14. London, Bristol and Edinburgh are the most frequent named bases, with four each.

Places are set by the evidence TrustList held on 5 October 2026: client reviews, vetting, awards and facts each business states on its own website, which we read and dated. Nobody pays to be placed. A listing with nothing checkable is shown but not ranked, and positions stay as they are until the January 2027 edition. A firm can move up by adding client reviews or verified facts to its free profile.

By TrustList Editorial

All accounting firms 134 ranked SMEs 131 ranked

The SME ranking on this page lists 396 small and medium-sized firms, and 77 of them earned a rank number. Five businesses known to be large are left out. The SME order does not reward age, so newer practices compete on evidence alone. See the SME ranking

Filter by fitbudget, engagement, size and more

The top three

1
Johnston Smillie Ltd
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- In business 120+ years
View profile
2
Duncan & Toplis
Best for: Owner-managed and professional firms
Acts for owner-managed businesses, professional firms such as solicitors and architects, logistics companies and private individuals.
- East Midlands, UK; offices include Boston, Lincoln, Loughborough, Derby and…
- Founded 1925
- Team of 400+
View profile
3
Halsey & Co.
- Cheam, Surrey, England
- Founded 1952
- professional accreditation
View profile

Johnston Smillie Ltd
Tax · Accounting · Property · Also in Edinburgh
Johnston Smillie Ltd is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisers in Edinburgh.
Write a review
Why #1: Based in Edinburgh, Scotland · In business 120+ years, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Duncan & Toplis
Best for: Owner-managed and professional firms
Tax · Accounting · Legal · Also in Leicester and Boston
East Midlands accountancy and advisory firm with offices across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire
Write a review
Why #2: Based in East Midlands, UK; offices include Boston, Lincoln, Loughborough, Derby and… · Founded 1925 · Team of 400+ · Placed below first here: a listing leads at most 5 rankings, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Halsey & Co.
Tax · Accounting · Cloud
Halsey & Co. is an ACCA-registered accountancy practice in Cheam, Surrey.
Write a review
Why #3: Based in Cheam, Surrey, England · Founded 1952 · professional accreditation, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
John Greenall & Co
John Greenall & Co is an accountancy firm of chartered certified accountants in Sandbach, Cheshire, established in 1968.
Write a review
Why #4: Based in Sandbach, Cheshire, England · Founded 1968 · professional accreditation, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
EBA Chartered Accountants
Best for: Owner-managed businesses and founders
Creative · Also in London
EBA Chartered Accountants is a firm of ICAEW chartered accountants based in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Write a review
Why #5: Based in Knutsford, Cheshire · Founded 2001 · professional accreditation · Owner-managed, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Direct Assist Accountants
Best for: Sole traders, landlords, contractors
Business Services · Tax · Accounting
Direct Assist Accountants is a chartered certified accountancy practice working from Slough in Berkshire.
Write a review
Why #6: Based in Slough, Berkshire · Founded 2014 · professional accreditation · Owner-managed, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Bailey Group Chartered Accountants
Bailey Group Chartered Accountants was set up in 2004 and in 2020 merged with SKS Business Services, trading since then as SKS Bailey Group.
Write a review
Why #7: Based in North East England, with offices across the UK · Founded 2004 · Team of 80+, as stated on its own website, read 28 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
DSG Chartered Accountants
Best for: North West growing businesses
Tax · Accounting · Partners · Also in Chester and Wales
DSG Chartered Accountants is an independent accounting and advisory practice in Liverpool.
Write a review
Why #8: Based in Liverpool, England · Founded 1887, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Dixon Wilson
Best for: Private clients, trusts and charities
Dixon Wilson has been an independent firm of chartered accountants and tax advisers since 1888, based in London.
Write a review
Why #9: Based in London · Founded 1888 · Independent firm, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
JW Hinks
Partnership · Face-to-Face · Also in Edgbaston, Birmingham
JW Hinks LLP is an independent firm of chartered accountants in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Write a review
Why #10: Based in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom · Founded 1896 · Independent firm, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Arnold Hill & Co LLP
London chartered accountancy firm handling tax, audit, valuations and advisory work for companies, individuals and charities
Write a review
Why #11: Based in London · Founded 1901, as stated on its own website, read 28 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
John M Taylor & Co, Chartered Accountants
John M Taylor & Co is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisors in Paisley, Renfrewshire, close to Glasgow.
Write a review
Why #12: Based in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland · Founded 1925, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Godfrey Laws & Co Ltd
Chartered accountants in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire providing accounts, tax and business advice to firms and individuals
Write a review
Why #13 (shared): Based in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire · In business 100+ years, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Joseph Miller & Co
Also in Newcastle
Joseph Miller & Co is an independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Write a review
Why #13 (shared): Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England · In business 100+ years · Independent firm, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Lamont Pridmore
Tax · Government · Newsletters
Lamont Pridmore is a firm of accountants, tax specialists and business advisers based in Cumbria, with offices across Cumbria and Lancashire.
Write a review
Why #13 (shared): Based in Cumbria · In business 100+ years · Owner-managed, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Higson & Co.
Tax · Also in Nottingham
Higson & Co. is a firm of chartered accountants in Nottingham, established in 1936.
Write a review
Why #16 (shared): Based in Nottingham, UK · Founded 1936, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Tax · Energy · .NET · Also in Scotland
Johnston Carmichael is an independent accountancy and advisory firm serving growing businesses across the UK and internationally.
Write a review
Why #16 (shared): Based in Scotland and offices across the UK · In business 90+ years · Independent accountancy, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Bunting, Tripp & Ingley, LLP
Bunting, Tripp & Ingley, LLP is a public accounting partnership rooted in Lake Wales, Florida, where it has worked for over 90 years.
Write a review
Why #16 (shared): Based in Lake Wales, Florida, with an office in the Tampa area · In business 90+ years, as stated on its own website, read 28 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Evans & Partners Chartered Accountants
Tax · Accounting · Partners · Also in Bristol
Evans & Partners Chartered Accountants is a Bristol accountancy practice that started in 1943 and is now run by the founder's grandson.
Write a review
Why #19: Based in Bristol, England · Founded 1943 · Owner-managed, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Hammond McNulty
Hammond McNulty LLP is an accountancy practice in Cheshire that provides business services from one office.
Write a review
Why #20 (shared): Based in Cheshire, England · Founded 1957, as stated on its own website, read 5 Oct 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Carter Backer Winter LLP
Financial Services · Information Technology · Legal
Carter Backer Winter LLP is a firm of accountants, tax specialists and business advisers based in the City of London.
Write a review
Why #20 (shared): Based in City of London, UK · Founded 1957, as stated on its own website, read 28 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Gibbons Chartered Accountants
Tax · Accounting · Also in Wales
Gibbons Chartered Accountants is a firm of chartered accountants and tax advisers in Cumbria, England, that has been advising clients for more than 60 years.
Write a review
Why #22: Based in Cumbria, United Kingdom · In business 60+ years, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
David Howard Chartered Accountants
Tax · Accounting · Also in Staines and Wales
David Howard Chartered Accountants has been working with clients since 1973 from a network of offices across Surrey and the South East of England.
Write a review
Why #23: Based in Surrey, England · Founded 1973, as stated on its own website, read 29 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.
Alexander Bursk Accountants
Self Assessment · Tax Filing · Tax · Also in Bury and Manchester
Alexander Bursk Accountants is a long-established accountancy practice in North Manchester, in business for more than 50 years.
Write a review
Why #24 (shared): Based in North Manchester, UK · In business 50+ years, as stated on its own website, read 28 Sept 2026
Not yet on record: client reviews, vetting.

The top ten at a glance

As each business states it on its own website, read by TrustList for this edition.

#	Business	Based in	Since	Accreditations	Best for
1	Johnston Smillie Ltd	Edinburgh, Scotland	120+ yrs	None stated
2	Duncan & Toplis	East Midlands, UK; offices include Boston, Lincoln, Loughborough, Derby and…	1925	None stated	Owner-managed and professional firms
3	Halsey & Co.	Cheam, Surrey, England	1952	professional accreditation
4	John Greenall & Co	Sandbach, Cheshire, England	1968	professional accreditation
5	EBA Chartered Accountants	Knutsford, Cheshire	2001	professional accreditation	Owner-managed businesses and founders
6	Direct Assist Accountants	Slough, Berkshire	2014	professional accreditation	Sole traders, landlords, contractors
7	Bailey Group Chartered Accountants	North East England, with offices across the UK	2004	None stated
8	DSG Chartered Accountants	Liverpool, England	1887	None stated	North West growing businesses
9	Dixon Wilson	London	1888	None stated	Private clients, trusts and charities
10	JW Hinks	Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom	1896	None stated

How to choose accounting firms

1. Confirm the professional body
Chartered accountants belong to bodies such as ICAEW, ICAS or ACCA. Ask which one the firm uses, check the member or firm register yourself, and ask whether it carries professional indemnity insurance.
2. Match the firm to your situation
A sole trader, a landlord, a limited company and a charity need different skills. Ask who handles your type of client, and for examples of similar work, before comparing fees.
3. Ask what the fee covers
Request a written engagement letter showing what is included, whether fees are fixed or hourly, and what extra work such as HMRC enquiries or late filings costs.
4. Check software and records
Ask which cloud accounting packages the firm supports, whether you keep your own login, and how your records are returned if you change accountant later.
5. Consider local or remote service
Many UK firms work remotely, but a local office may suit you if you want meetings in person. Ask who covers when your usual contact is away.

For vendors

Want to see your company here?

The order is earned on evidence: client reviews, vetting, awards and the facts a business states on its own website, which we read and date. Nobody can pay to move up. Add reviews or verified facts to your free profile to move up at the next edition; there are two ways to stand out now, and each one says what it is.

Not on TrustList yet? Add your company or claim its listing, free.

Get vetted

Free

We check your registration, your website and your clients
Approved listings show the Verified badge here and on their profile
It earns a rank number and counts towards the TrustList Score; renewed yearly

Apply for vetting How vetting works

Sponsor this ranking

Paid · always labelled

A Sponsored card above the ranked list, up to three per ranking
Marked Sponsored, and it never changes the order
Booked by the month; cancel any time

Sponsor this ranking See prices

Top B2B companies in the UK38 categories ranked, 2,075 companies

Same subject

More accounting firms rankings

Every other way we rank accounting firms, by what they do and where they are.

All 326 rankings

Articles

More categories

Jump to another ranked category.

All categories

Keep exploring

More on TrustList

Everything here links back to the same verified catalogue. Pick your next stop.