Where Edinburgh’s businesses are
The financial district around Exchange and Lothian Road, Edinburgh Park and the western technology campuses, the festival and tourism economy and the university's research spin-outs.
Limited company accountants in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh has a major financial services sector, tourism and festivals, technology and universities, with an exceptionally busy seasonal hospitality economy.
- Fixed monthly fees
- Free switching
- Online, UK-wide
What does a limited company accountant in Edinburgh do?
Prepares your accounts and Corporation Tax return, files at Companies House, handles VAT and payroll and plans your pay. Ours start at £45.83 + VAT a month.
Business in Edinburgh, by the numbers.
Source: ONS UK Business Counts 2026 and ONS mid-2025 population estimates, via Nomis, 2026.
Businesses
18,635
VAT or PAYE registered businesses in Edinburgh
Micro share
86%
are micro businesses of 0 to 9 staff, against 89% across the UK
Density
35
businesses per 1,000 residents, against 40 across the UK
What the local mix means for your accounts.
Edinburgh
Energy supply
Energy and utilities-related firms account for 0.9% of enterprises in Edinburgh. Long contracts and large invoices mean accurate accruals and timely invoicing drive cash flow. That is 3.6 times the UK-wide share.
Edinburgh
Financial and insurance activities
Financial and insurance activity accounts for 3.8% of enterprises in Edinburgh. Many are small intermediaries and advisers, where commission income, client money rules and regulatory fees need careful, separate treatment. That is 1.8 times the UK-wide share.
Edinburgh
Professional, scientific and technical
Professional, scientific and technical firms are 19% of businesses in Edinburgh (about 3,575 enterprises). Consultants and practices here need profit by client, clean director's loan accounts and prompt invoicing more than anything else.
Edinburgh
Wholesale and retail trade
Retail and wholesale firms make up 11% of enterprises in Edinburgh. Till and payout reconciliation, stock and margin by product line, and mixed-rate VAT are the main jobs, whether the sales are in a shop or on a marketplace.
Business in Edinburgh, up close.
Where companies here cluster, what that does to their accounts, and a worked example.
What it means for your Edinburgh company
Edinburgh is Scotland's financial centre and has a thriving technology and start-up scene. The key difference for directors is that Scotland sets its own income tax bands for salary, so planning pay needs the Scottish rates, though dividends use UK rates. The festivals create huge seasonal swings for hospitality and events businesses.
An illustrative Edinburgh example
A fintech contractor in Edinburgh compares a Scottish-rate salary with a lower salary and larger dividend to find the cheapest mix.
Rules for businesses in Scotland
Scottish taxpayers pay income tax on earnings and self-employment profits at rates and bands set by the Scottish Parliament, which differ from the rest of the UK. Corporation Tax and VAT are UK-wide, while property transactions use Land and Buildings Transaction Tax collected by Revenue Scotland. We keep your records so your accountant can apply the right regime.
Edinburgh: questions.
Does a Scottish taxpayer use different salary bands?
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Yes. Non-dividend income, including a director's salary, is taxed at Scottish rates and bands, while dividends are taxed at UK rates. We use the Scottish bands when we model your pay.
How much does a limited company accountant cost in Edinburgh?
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Our fixed monthly fees are the same in Edinburgh as anywhere else in the UK: Essential from £45.83 + VAT, Complete from £62.50 + VAT and Growth from £75 + VAT. Final price depends on your turnover and options.
Do you have an accountant in Edinburgh?
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We are an online firm, so a named accountant looks after your Edinburgh company by phone, video, email and WhatsApp. Our offices are in Morden, Croydon, Chelsea, Mitcham for anyone who prefers to meet in person.
Your Edinburgh accounts, handled.
Tell us about your company and we will confirm your fixed fee within one working day.