More than half of the UK’s self-employed workforce has thought about walking away from their accountant, as frustration over fees, poor communication and a lack of clarity reaches breaking point.
New research from TaxZap’s Accountant Breakup Tracker reveals that 58% of self-employed people have considered “breaking up” with their accountant, while 14% say they have already done so. With the 31 January Self Assessment deadline looming, the findings shine a light on a professional relationship many sole traders now see as more stressful than supportive.
The survey asked freelancers, contractors, landlords and sole traders how they really feel about working with an accountant, and the results suggest growing dissatisfaction. High fees emerged as the single biggest turn-off, with more than a quarter of respondents saying cost was their main frustration. Others cited confusing paperwork, missed deadlines and painfully slow communication, particularly when urgent clarification was needed.
Several respondents said they were left feeling unclear about what their accountant had actually done for them, or what they were paying for. One in five admitted they didn’t really understand the value they were receiving, while almost a third said their accountant only appeared during tax season. That absence for the rest of the year has led many to describe the relationship as distant, transactional or judgemental, rather than collaborative.
The language used by respondents was telling. Accountants were described as “emotionally unavailable”, “terrible communicators” and “always late”, echoing the sort of red flags more commonly associated with failed personal relationships than professional services.
Despite paying for help, Self Assessment remains a major source of stress for the self-employed. Time pressure is the biggest challenge, followed closely by complex language, uncertainty about what needs to be declared, and the overall cost of getting support. For many, it’s not the tax itself that causes anxiety, but the admin wrapped around it.
The data also shows a clear generational divide. Self-employed people over the age of 55 are the most likely to ditch their accountant altogether, while younger workers are more inclined to stay put. That reluctance appears to stem less from satisfaction and more from fear, with many younger freelancers feeling they lack the confidence to manage their taxes themselves.
Aaron Hickey, CEO of TaxZap, said the results highlight how outdated the traditional accountant model feels for many modern self-employed workers. He said Self Assessment season is stressful enough without cryptic jargon, slow replies and invoices that “make your eyes water”, adding that January deadlines only heighten the pressure.
He noted that while older workers are increasingly willing to walk away, younger people often feel trapped, having been made to feel out of their depth by complex language and an implied sense of judgement. According to Hickey, technology now offers a genuine alternative, allowing sole traders and freelancers to manage their own taxes with confidence, saving time, money and stress in the process.
For many in the self-employed community, the relationship with their accountant is being reassessed. Expectations have shifted, and clarity, transparency and year-round support are no longer optional extras. As tools improve and confidence grows, more sole traders are asking a simple question: do they still need an accountant, or do they just need something better?
