# Statutory accounts software or an accountant?

Source: https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/compare/statutoryaccounts-vs-accountant/

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026

An accountant brings judgement, advice and responsibility for the work they agree to do; software brings the formats, the rules and the calculations, quickly and at a fixed price. Either way the directors approve the accounts and remain responsible for them. Many companies combine the two: software prepares the accounts, and an accountant reviews, advises or files.

## Key facts

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Responsible for the accounts | The directors, who approve them; a director signs the balance sheet |
| Accountant adds | Advice, judgement, an accountants' report, tax planning, filing as agent |
| Software adds | Formats, size rules, notes tied to the figures, a fixed price per set |
| Audit | Needs an auditor whatever you choose, unless the company is exempt |
| Status | Trial balance import, CT600 module and iXBRL output in preparation; accounts prepared for filing, not submitted |

As at 25 October 2026.

## Who does what

| Task | Accountant engagement | Software | Always the directors |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bookkeeping and the trial balance | Often | Imports it | |
| Year-end adjustments (depreciation, accruals, provisions) | Yes | You enter them | Decide the estimates |
| Company size, framework and formats | Yes | Applied by rules | |
| Notes and directors' report | Drafted | Drafted with AI for review | Approve the content |
| Going concern and other judgements | Advises | No | Decide |
| Accountants' report on unaudited accounts | Yes, if engaged | No | |
| Corporation Tax computation and CT600 | Yes | Prepared for filing (in preparation) | Approve the return |
| Approve and sign the accounts | No | No | Yes |
| File at Companies House and HMRC | As agent | Prepared for filing | Responsible for filing on time |

## When an accountant is the better choice

- Your bookkeeping is incomplete or unreconciled, so the trial balance itself needs work.
- There are judgements you are not comfortable making: going concern, provisions, valuations, a change of framework.
- You want tax advice, not just a return: reliefs, losses, remuneration and dividends, director's loans.
- The company needs an audit, or is a charity, bank, insurer or group, which software like StatutoryAccounts.io does not cover.
- You want someone else to file as your agent, now and under the identity verification rules for presenters expected from November 2027 at the earliest.

## When software is enough

A micro-entity or small company with reconciled books, simple affairs and a director who understands the figures can prepare its own accounts with software. The software applies the formats and rules; the director reviews the mapping, the notes and the statements, approves the accounts and files them. Many accountants also use software in exactly this way for their clients.

## Where StatutoryAccounts.io fits

Status on 28 October 2026: the UK trial balance import, the CT600 module and iXBRL output are in preparation and not yet available. StatutoryAccounts.io prepares accounts and returns for filing: it does not submit them to Companies House or HMRC, and it is not yet HMRC-recognised Corporation Tax software or a Companies House software filer.

StatutoryAccounts.io is accounts production software, not an accountancy firm: it gives no legal or tax advice and issues no accountants' or auditor's report. Its price is fixed per company per financial year (£129 micro-entity, £199 small, excluding VAT, with the CT600 for that year included). Accountants and bookkeepers can use it for their clients, with review and approval roles; see [software for accountants](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/software-for-accountants/).

## Frequently asked questions

**Can I do my company's statutory accounts without an accountant?**
Yes. The law requires the directors to approve accounts that follow the Companies Act and the accounting standards; it does not require an accountant. A company that needs an audit needs an auditor.

**Who is responsible if the accounts are wrong?**
The directors. They approve the accounts and a director signs the balance sheet on the board's behalf, whoever prepared them.

**Does an accountant's report mean the accounts were audited?**
No. An accountants' report on unaudited accounts says they were compiled from the company's records; it is not an audit and is not filed at Companies House.

## Sources

- [Companies Act 2006, section 414](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/414)
- [Companies Act 2006, section 477](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/477)
- [Companies Act 2006, section 475](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/475)
- [Companies House: ECCTA outline transition plan](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-and-corporate-transparency-act-outline-transition-plan-for-companies-house)

## Related pages

- [Software for accountants and bookkeepers](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/software-for-accountants/)
- [Software and AI](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/)
- [Statutory accounts software for UK companies](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/statutory-accounts-software/)
- [AI for statutory accounts and accounts production](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/ai-statutory-accounts/)
- [CT600 software for Company Tax Returns](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/ct600-software/)
- [iXBRL accounts software](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/ixbrl-accounts-software/)
- [Micro-entity accounts software](https://www.statutoryaccounts.io/software/micro-entity-accounts-software/)