In the past week alone, we’ve had three new clients come to us because their previous accountants failed to submit their tax returns on time.
Three different accountants. Three different businesses left in a stressful, costly mess.
Before you think this is about criticising them, it’s not. This is about a bigger issue affecting the accounting industry—and beyond.
Why Are So Many Accountants Dropping the Ball?
January is insane for accountants. It’s a non-stop, high-pressure month where burnout is almost guaranteed. By February and March, many are so mentally drained they disappear—stop responding to calls, ignore voicemails, and become completely uncontactable.
The clients who came to us had:
🚨 Missed tax return deadlines
🚨 No response from their old accountant
🚨 £10 per day late penalties stacking up
This isn’t just a bad January. This is an industry-wide pricing problem.
The Real Cost of Undercharging
Most accountants genuinely want to help people—that’s why we do what we do.
But too many price their services at “fair” rates—which really means undercharging. And when you undercharge, this happens:
❌ You take on more clients than you can handle
❌ Your workload becomes unsustainable
❌ Your service quality drops, clients suffer, and stress levels explode
It doesn’t just affect work—it destroys personal lives too. Long hours, constant pressure, and no time for family, hobbies, or even basic relaxation. Eventually, something breaks.
And when accountants burn out, the clients suffer first.
📌 They lose money in penalties
📌 They have the hassle of switching accountants
📌 They can’t get hold of their old accountant to access their records
Everyone loses.
Cheap Services Don’t Serve Anyone
In any industry, pricing too low leads to poor service.
Business owners need to price properly—so they can:
✅ Deliver a high-quality service
✅ Have time to respond to clients properly
✅ Avoid the 80-hour week burnout cycle
✅ Retain long-term, happy clients
There’s no prize for being the second cheapest accountant.
When HMRC is on your back, deadlines are looming, and your accountant is having a mental breakdown, I guarantee you’d rather have paid higher fees from the start in exchange for a reliable, responsive accountant.
The Takeaway? Price for Sustainability
🚀 If you’re a business owner, don’t choose an accountant solely on price—choose based on service, reliability, and long-term value.
🚀 If you’re an accountant, charge what you’re worth, so you can deliver the service your clients deserve without running yourself into the ground.
Because a cheap service that fails you when it matters most isn’t a bargain—it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
📩 Need an accountant who will actually be there when you need them? Let’s talk.