Why Choose Us?
What Clients Say
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Thank you for your help, advice and patience
Paul Magrath Magrath Environmental Services -
I couldn’t rate Lydia more highly. HMRC have been attempting to extract larger and larger amounts from me and she has not only convinced them that I owe them nothing, but they owe me £100.
Lydia is friendly, helpful and ultra efficient. If you have problems with your tax bill, give her a call!
Andrew Neville Personal tax client -
I just wanted to say thank you to all three of you for all the work you do for our business. And hard work to be continued…
Akane Co-owner, retail shop -
Starting a business with no previous experience was very daunting. Your team has always been very helpful and patient in guiding me through each process. I have appreciated knowing that advice is on hand and that all queries, big and small, will be dealt with.
Name witheld Cafe and restaurant -
Very happy with your quick and straightforward approach
Clare Abbott Okiplay Educational Apps & Preschool Games -
Responsive to any questions and queries raised. Appear to have ethics and integrity at the heart of your operations. Sage One and Receipt Bank good tools
Ms Zoe Anne Whitby ZW Consulting -
Excellent service; good communication and response time; helpful advice much appreciated as a sole trader
Name withheld -
Great communication, very helpful
Anonymous -
Timely and efficient
Tony Burgin Tony Burgin IT Services -
Thank you so much for all of your hard work and professionalism this year – it is a real pleasure to work with you
Allison and Marcus Sheard Byland Consulting -
Lydia and her colleagues have provided a great support to my small business in tax reporting and annual accounts for the last 4 years.
The attention to detail and ethical advice is a comfort and the tools of Sage One and Receipt Bank really help to keep on top of things.
Thank you!
Zoe Williams ZW Coaching -
… extremely happy with the work and support
Karen Dillon A&K Livery Services -
A major thank you, your advice and support has helped me massively
Thasneem Uddin Access Accountancy work experience student -
You have been such a pleasure to work with on this and I have really appreciated your advice and support
Anthony Deery Easingwold Players -
Thanks for your super advice
Sole trader North yorkshire -
As a result of your help I can honestly say I walk at least two foot taller these days…
PAUL GREENWOOD PERSONAL TAX CLIENT -
I have really appreciated seeing your values shine through your advice – enabling me to trust that we’re taking the right steps from an ethical and moral standpoint. It means a lot!
Clare Abbot Okiplay Ltd -
I find it well worth paying for your advice and guidance and so much easier to let you fill the forms in. Totally approachable, you are always happy to talk me through things and I trust you are working in partnership to get the best tax efficiency. I enjoy the benefit of using screen shares and would recommend you as being of high integrity and easy to work with.”
Zoe Whitby ZW Coaching, North Yorkshire -
Very helpful, friendly advice and practical assistance. We enjoy an excellent relationship and total confidence. I have nothing but praise for your work and help to me. You have helped enormously with sound judgment and practical assistance in dealing, successfully, with a difficult problem over a corporation tax issue with HMRC. I have no hesitation in recommending Approachable Accountants to anyone who is looking for a friendly, knowledgeable and completely professional service.
John Stenton North Yorkshire -
Good support, good communication (vital), and personal contact
Bill Cleghorn North Yorkshire -
I particularly like the precision, price and promptness of your service, and that it’s easy to work with you
Dr Chris Winearls Oxford -
Thank you once again angel accountant
Clare Abbott Director, Okiplay Ltd -
Delightful and efficient. I especially appreciated the way you took time to explain things I didn’t understand
Mrs J Ford Sole Trader, North Yorkshire -
Excellent personal service
Small business owner -
I’m always very grateful for email support during the year as issues crop up relating to my tax. Equally taking the time to talk through my accounts each year is always really valuable to me and always much less painful than I fear, with your guidance! Thank you once again.
Business owner -
Supportive and friendly
New start-up Business owner -
Very many thanks for yet more sound advice
Treasurer Not for profit client -
Great – saved me lots of worry and stress
Non profit Treasurer -
The information was provided in an easy format for people to understand
New business owner -
You are a gem. Thank you. x
Personal tax client North Yorkshire -
I have valued your calm ongoing support and insistence on ensuring that I provide the necessary data on time.
Sole trader client -
Friendly and approachable. Explains queries well.
Business client -
Helpful and friendly
Personal tax client -
Many thanks – you make the process so much smoother and less daunting than it would be otherwise. It is exactly what I need and I am enormously grateful for the way you explain ambiguities or uncertainties in very clear language, and for your quick and efficient response to queries
Owner manager business client -
I wanted to thank you for such a well thought through and easy to use system – it really suits the way I like to record things and the information I like to be able to see at a glance.
Director company client -
Efficient and professional
Personal tax client -
I like the personal service and that we are not paying for fancy folders, bindings etc.
Tax advice client, York -
As I lack confidence in dealing with figures I particularly value the confidence and calm assurance you provide
Sole Trader, North Yorkshire -
Hugely helpful and patient throughout… high level of professionalism and efficiency to a very tight deadline. I would whole-heartedly recommend this company’s services to potential clients! Thank you, you were brilliant!
Company Director, North Yorkshire -
Friendly and efficient
Personal tax client, North Yorkshire -
Incredibly efficient; really valued your query-solving by email
Consultant, North Yorkshire -
Rapid feedback and sound advice
Personal tax client, East Yorkshire -
Excellent personal service
Sole trader, North Yorkshire -
Excellent personal service
Personal tax client, Somerset -
Very comprehensive, friendly and approachable. Makes the process simple.
Sole trader, North Yorkshire -
Approachable and professional
Personal tax client, North Yorkshire -
Efficient and reliable service
Company director, York -
Professional and efficient with empathetic approach
Sole trader, Bristol -
I have been extremely impressed by your kind, quick and efficient service, and your knowledge. I have learned a lot and my fears have been reduced by your guidance and assistance…I really appreciate what you have done to help me.
Sole trader, North Yorkshire -
Excellent communication. Friendly and approachable. Prompt service. Professional
Sole trader, North Yorkshire -
Personal and thorough
Personal tax client, North Yorkshire -
You brought rigour, honesty and a genuine listening ear to your work
Business client, North Yorkshire
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Lydia had the thankless task of driving customer fairness into an organisation that really didn’t think it had anything to learn. She added huge value to my team and works hard to get the best result
John Hodgson Executive Director, Aviva Life UK -
Lydia is a delight to work with. She has a wealth of experience and carries the respect of her colleagues and peers.
David Ross Head of Media, CII -
The best audit manager we’ve ever had
FD of FTSE 100 company -
Highly analytical – almost always gets it right before anyone else
Former colleague Aviva -
High integrity and absolutely trustworthy
Former colleague Aviva -
It has been an unmitigated pleasure and privilege to work with you. You are an exceptionally talented person.
Former colleague FSA -
You have a really great presentation style – to be able to explain that sort of material in an accessible way is very impressive.
Former colleague FSA -
You really have an excellent grip on what has to be done and this is a very clear exposition of how it fits together. Well done.
Client -
At all levels from Chief Executive to foot soldiers you have used your considerable intellectual prowess and empathetic arguments to move opinions and minds…in action both internally and externally
Former colleague
Our Services & Fees
We compete on value, not on price. We cannot match the prices of unqualified accountants.
Fees For Our Standard Services
To ensure we are fair, we bill by the hour. The following are indicative.
Please call us to arrange a meeting or an online demonstration of how we can help you save time and money with cloud software.
Standard Services | Note | Net from £pcm | Net from £pa |
Business & Tax Advice | Hourly rates see below |
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Accounts software only | 1 | 5 | 60 |
Handle invoices from your phone | 2 | 10 | 120 |
Photograph invoices instead of keying into records | 3 | 10 | 120 |
Company Accounts & Tax Return | 60 | 750 | |
Sole Trader Accounts & Tax Return | 45 | 550 | |
Personal Tax Return | 20 | 250 | |
Property Tax Returns | 30 | 350 | |
Fee protection scheme | 4 | 4 | 50 |
Notes
- We work with whichever software is best for you. We usually suggest Sage One because it is simple, cost effective and the support is excellent. Many of our clients love it!
- Sage One Accounting lets you invoice on the move. This is great for businesses where you have people out and about between appointments. you can also enter expenses using the same phone app.
- Receipt Bank lets you photograph receipts or forward invoices you receive by email and they will automatically appear in your books, ready for review. We love it and so do our clients! Currently only works on iphone and android.
- Fee is for individuals. The price for a company is £100pa including for the directors’ personal tax.
- Please ask about better rates for start up businesses or those on low incomes.
- We sometimes receive a commission such as from software providers, which usually varies from 0-20%. Full details are available on request.
Standard service usually includes:
- Initial, no-obligation meeting face to face or by phone
- All terms agreed in advance in writing
- Welcoming queries and responding quickly
- Acting as your agent with HMRC
- Annual, tailored individual letter of advice
- Annual letter to all clients with updated tax tables
- Salary planning (Director-shareholders on PAYE)
- Newsletter, blogs and cloud cafe invitations
- Individual manager and freedom to also contact our MD
Indicative Fees For Other Services
Other Services | From |
Bespoke Tax Advice | Priced Individually |
New company and associated advice | £200 |
PAYE (First employee) | £200pa |
PAYE (Each additional employee) | £100pa |
VAT Returns | £100 / Return |
Management Accounts | £100 / Set |
Dividend Review and Voucher | £100 |
Budgets, Cash Flows, Business Plans | Priced Individually |
Assurance Reviews | Priced Individually |
Independent Expert Reports | Priced Individually |
Registered Office | POA |
Other Information
We can provide more information when we meet. We always agree an estimate in writing before starting work. We have a strong track record of avoiding nasty surprises on fees.
All businesses need year end accounts and tax returns. Limited companies and sole traders or partnerships paying staff over the threshold must also operate PAYE. We provide other services depending on a client’s individual preference.
We recommend that all limited companies employ professional advisers. Smaller unincorporated businesses should take initial advice and may then feel comfortable taking care of their own affairs.
Our fee estimates reflect the typical time and level of knowledge required to complete a job, assuming you provide good quality records. Our rates are typically good value compared to our peers because we keep tight control of our overheads.
Our hourly rates are £150 (director), £80 (manager), £60 (assistant manager), £35 (book keeper).
Our Values
We are committed to doing business in an ethical way. This means being fair in all our dealings with clients and others and making a positive difference where we can.
Please see our Giving Back page for more.
Our values define how we work with clients and staff as follows:
Our Team
Message from the MD
In founding Approachable Accountants, I wanted to provide high quality client service in a way that would not compromise my values. I am pleased to have the support of intelligent and dedicated staff. Together, we are proud to be expanding to serve more clients.Our Team

Lydia Ebdon, Managing Director
Lydia is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and a CIOT Chartered Tax Adviser. She is also a member of the ICAEW Council, its governing body. Lydia founded Approachable Accountants after a career with “Big Four” accountancy firms, in industry and as a regulator.
Lydia lives in North Yorkshire with her partner Richard. Outside of work she enjoys horse riding and writing. She volunteers for Speakers For Schools and The Prince’s Trust.

Julie Brook, Manager
Julie is a Chartered Certified Accountant and has recently taken her ATT tax exams. Prior to joining Approachable Accountants Julie had a long and successful career in the Financial Services industry.
Julie lives in North Yorkshire with her family. Outside of work and family life Julie is involved in community and fundraising events.

Sajid Khan, Assistant Manager
Sajid is an experienced accountant, having worked to a senior level within the NHS and running his family business. He is currently studying for his ICAEW CFAB qualification and hopes to progress to train as a Chartered Accountant.
Sajid lives in Bradford. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.
We maintain a relationship with the Indian firm of Vishnu Rajendran & Co., Chartered Accountants (“VRC”) and we support a school local to where they are in Kerala. We do not currently outsource work to VRC but this remains a possibility for the future. Vishnu Rajendran & Co is a registered partnership and is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), registration number 004741S and our key contact is Mesfin Zacharias Abraham, BSc, FCA, DISA (ICAI), a partner in the firm.
Client Charter
We commit to working with you by:
- Understanding your needs and priorities
- Treating you as we would like to be treated ourselves
- Being accessible – whether by phone, email or face to face
- Meeting or exceeding your expectations every time
- Delivering excellent service in a professional manner
- Clearly explaining our services, and how they fit with your responsibilities
- Agreeing fee estimates in advance to avoid surprises
- Supporting you to do work yourself where you wish, to keep our fees low
- Responding to queries promptly
- Being clear where we cannot help and recommending others or involving niche specialists if we can
- Investing in staff development and leading edge technology while keeping other overheads low to ensure we work efficiently
- Listening and responding to any feedback on our service
- Considering fully any suggestions you have about how we can improve
- Taking any concerns seriously, looking into them carefully and promptly
- Doing everything we reasonably can to deal with concerns fairly