- Sleek ranks first for a named accountant and bookkeeping on every plan
- Gorilla Accounting still suits contractors who want one fixed package
- Switching needs a professional enquiry, a records handover and HMRC access
Sleek is our top-ranked pick among Gorilla Accounting alternatives, followed by Accounting Wise, The Accountancy Partnership, Crunch and Mazuma. Sleek gives every client a named limited company accountant with bookkeeping included on every plan, plus company admin in the same relationship. If you’re a contractor happy with one fixed package, staying with Gorilla can still make sense, and we cover when below.
Why look for a Gorilla Accounting alternative?
Most people comparing companies like Gorilla Accounting aren’t unhappy with it. Their business has changed shape, or they want to check the market before they sign anything.
Gorilla Accounting describes itself as a specialist firm for self-employed people and small businesses, including contractors, freelancers and landlords. Its limited company service is one fixed-fee, all-inclusive package with a dedicated accountant and FreeAgent software included.
These are the situations where it’s worth comparing:
- You want someone else to do the bookkeeping. Gorilla’s limited company package includes a quarterly review of your bookkeeping data, so you keep the books yourself in FreeAgent or Xero day to day.
- You’re hiring. The package lists payroll for up to two employees, so ask how a bigger team is priced before you grow.
- You’d rather use different software. Gorilla works with FreeAgent and Xero, while other firms run their own apps or support a wider range.
- Your business model has changed. If you’ve moved from contracting to selling products or building a team, look for a firm that works with that model every day.
In Sleek’s UK sales calls, directors thinking about switching tend to ask one question first: what does the fee include, and what costs extra? Our guide to limited company accountant costs sets out typical ranges, so you can judge any quote on scope rather than headline price.
How did we rank these Gorilla Accounting alternatives?
We scored the Gorilla Accounting competitors that come up most often for UK limited companies. We’re Sleek, so we’ve ranked ourselves first, and we’ve set out the criteria so you can check our working.
Each provider was scored on details published on its own website in October 2026:
- whether every plan comes with a named or dedicated accountant, rather than only the top tiers
- whether bookkeeping is included in the fee or charged as an add-on
- how many filings and company services you can keep with one provider as you grow
Packages change, so check the latest version with any provider before you sign.
| Rank | Provider | Named or dedicated accountant | Bookkeeping | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sleek | Yes, a named UK accountant on every plan | Included on every plan | Growing limited companies that want bookkeeping, filings and company admin in one place |
| 2 | Accounting Wise | Yes, on every package | Chosen as part of a pre-built or build-your-own package | Businesses that want a custom package |
| 3 | The Accountancy Partnership | Yes, on every package | Paid add-on, or keep your own books in Pandle | Directors who want to start lean and add services later |
| 4 | Crunch | On top-tier plans | Paid add-on, or keep your own books in its app | Directors who want to run their books in software |
| 5 | Mazuma | An accountancy team rather than a named accountant | Done by Mazuma’s team | Sole traders and small companies that want to hand over paperwork |
| – | Gorilla Accounting (for reference) | Yes, on every package | You keep the books, with a quarterly review | Contractors and freelancers who want one fixed fee |
Prices are left out on purpose, because headline fees change often and rarely cover the same work. For a full head-to-head on price and scope, see Sleek vs Gorilla Accounting.
Which Gorilla Accounting alternative suits your business?
Here’s how each Gorilla Accounting alternative UK directors shortlist compares against our criteria, in ranked order.
1. Sleek: best for growing limited companies
Every Sleek plan comes with a named UK accountant and bookkeeping included, from annual on our entry plan to monthly on higher plans. Year-end accounts, your Company Tax Return, the confirmation statement and at least one director’s Self Assessment return are in every plan, with VAT registration and quarterly VAT returns on our higher plans.
Payroll is added per employee, and every plan runs on SleekBooks, with Xero available as an option. Incorporation, a registered office, company secretarial support, R&D tax credit claims and SEIS/EIS advance assurance can all sit with the same team.
Choose Sleek if you want a Gorilla Accounting alternative UK limited companies can keep as they grow, with one accountable firm across bookkeeping, filings and company admin. What you pay for is what you get, and each plan spells out every filing it covers.
2. Accounting Wise: best for a custom package
Accounting Wise offers pre-built packages or a build-your-own option, plus one-off services, with a dedicated online accountant on every package. It works with several software providers and offers face-to-face meetings for clients in London and the Home Counties.
Check which services sit in your monthly package and which are billed separately.
3. The Accountancy Partnership: best for starting lean
Every client gets a dedicated accountant and Pandle software, with director Self Assessment returns, VAT returns, payroll and bookkeeping added as paid extras. There’s no fixed-term contract.
Add up the extras you’ll need before comparing totals. Our Sleek vs The Accountancy Partnership comparison covers the detail.
4. Crunch: best for running your own books in an app
Crunch pairs its own accounting software with support from a team of UK-based accountants, and a dedicated accountant comes with its top-tier plans. You keep your books in the app or pay extra for its team to do them.
Check which plan you’re quoting for, because accountant access changes by tier.
5. Mazuma: best for handing over paperwork
Mazuma’s team does the bookkeeping from paperwork you send by app or post, with its software included in the fee. Support comes from an accountancy team rather than one named accountant.
Ask which filings and add-ons sit in your quote, and who your day-to-day contact will be.
When does staying with Gorilla Accounting make sense?
Sometimes. Gorilla’s limited company package bundles accounts, the Company Tax Return, quarterly VAT returns and one Self Assessment return into a single monthly fee, which suits a one-person company with steady income.
Staying put is usually the sensible call if:
- you’re a contractor or freelancer whose needs fit the all-inclusive package
- you’re comfortable keeping your books in FreeAgent or Xero with a quarterly review
- you’re close to your year end or in the middle of an HMRC enquiry, when moving firms adds work
If one specific problem started your search, raise it with your accountant first. If it isn’t fixed, leaving Gorilla Accounting is a straightforward process.
How do you switch from Gorilla Accounting without losing records?
Switching works the same way as leaving any accountant, and your new firm does most of the legwork. You don’t need permission to go, as ICAEW guidance on changing accountant explains that an outgoing accountant has no power to grant or refuse clearance for the new firm to act.
What happens when you switch?
- Choose your new accountant and agree the scope and fee in writing.
- Tell Gorilla Accounting in writing that you’re leaving, and agree the last piece of work they’ll complete.
- Your new accountant sends Gorilla a professional enquiry and asks for the handover.
- Your new firm gets authorised as your agent with HMRC for Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE.
- Your records move into the new firm’s software, ready for the next filing.
Which records should you ask for?
Before you switch from Gorilla Accounting, ask for:
- your last filed accounts and Company Tax Return, with the tax computations
- a trial balance and full bookkeeping export up to the switch date
- VAT returns and workings for the current and previous year
- payroll records, including any P11D forms
- your company’s tax references and its Companies House authentication code
- records of dividends paid and any director’s loan account balance
Keep your own copies as well. A limited company must keep its accounting records for six years from the end of the financial year they relate to, and HMRC can fine you £3,000 if you don’t.
When is the best time to switch?
Timing matters more than process. A private company must file accounts 9 months after its financial year ends and its Company Tax Return 12 months after the accounting period, so switching with a few weeks to go puts both firms under pressure.
The calmer window is usually just after your accounts are filed, or a few months before your year end. Our guide on how to change accountants walks through every step.
How Sleek helps you switch from Gorilla Accounting
When you switch from Gorilla Accounting to Sleek, we contact your old firm, request the handover and get authorised with HMRC, so you’re not chasing anyone. Your named accountant reviews the records, moves your books onto your new plan and confirms your next deadlines.
Our online accounting services cover bookkeeping, year-end accounts, corporation tax and the confirmation statement in one relationship, with VAT returns and payroll available as your company grows.
Compare a Sleek quote with your Gorilla Accounting quote
FAQs on gorilla accounting alternatives
Is there a cheaper alternative to Gorilla Accounting?
Several Gorilla Accounting competitors advertise lower starting fees, but a starting fee rarely covers the same work. Gorilla’s limited company package includes quarterly VAT returns, payroll for up to two employees and one Self Assessment return, which some alternatives charge for separately. Price the services your company actually needs with each provider, then compare annual totals rather than headline monthly fees.
Will I keep my FreeAgent data after leaving Gorilla Accounting?
Your FreeAgent licence comes as part of Gorilla’s package, so ask how your account will be handled before you give notice. Check with Gorilla and your new accountant whether it will move to the new firm or to a subscription in your own name. Either way, export a full set of reports up to your switch date and keep them with your company records.
How much notice do I need to give Gorilla Accounting?
Your engagement letter and Gorilla Accounting’s published terms set the notice period and any charges for work already in progress. Read them before you sign with a new firm, so you know your final billing date. Give notice in writing and confirm which filings Gorilla will finish before the handover.
Do I need to tell Companies House when I change accountant?
No, Companies House doesn’t record who your accountant is. If your registered office is your accountant’s address, though, you’ll need a new address and must file form AD01 to change it. Gorilla offers its registered office address as a paid extra, so check whether this applies to you.
Do companies like Gorilla Accounting handle R&D claims or SEIS?
Some do, usually as specialist work outside the core package. Gorilla Accounting lists R&D tax claims among its services, and Sleek handles R&D tax credit claims and SEIS/EIS advance assurance. Ask any provider whether this work is quoted separately before you assume it’s included.
How can I check an online accountant is properly qualified?
Ask which professional body the firm’s accountants belong to, such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT, and check membership directly with that body. ICAEW runs a public Find a Chartered Accountant directory for its members. Most online firms list their memberships on their websites, which gives you a starting point.
Is a local accountant a better choice than an online one?
A local firm suits you if regular face-to-face meetings matter more than flexible contact. Online firms mostly work by phone, email and video, though some offer in-person meetings as well. Think about how often you want to talk to your accountant and how, then pick the model that matches.
