If you’re an overseas business with operations in the UK — whether you’re just hiring your first employee or already operating a UK subsidiary — you’ll likely need an accountant, tax advisor, or auditor. But how do you choose the right one?
Unlike in many countries, the terms “accountant” or “tax advisor” are not protected in the UK. Anyone can call themselves an accountant — even without any qualifications, experience, or regulation. This can make it difficult for overseas businesses to know who they can trust with critical financial and tax compliance.
At Türner & Co, we are a regulated firm of Chartered Accountants. We specialise in helping international groups with their UK operations and are ideally placed to support you — whether you’re setting up a new presence or switching from a previous UK advisor.
In the UK, bookkeepers typically focus on record-keeping. Accountants go further — they analyse your finances, offer strategic advice, and take responsibility for complying with UK reporting and filing requirements (like HMRC or Companies House submissions). Most growing UK operations need both.
Because anyone can call themselves an “accountant,” we strongly recommend you only work with Chartered Accountants or Chartered Certified Accountants. These professionals are:
A Chartered Accountant in the UK has completed three years of in-depth practical training and passed a series of demanding exams. They are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and use the letters ACA or FCA after their name.
They must:
Chartered Accountants are widely considered the gold standard for financial, audit, and tax expertise in the UK.
A Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA or FCCA) is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) — a globally recognised qualification. These professionals:
The CPA designation is primarily used in the United States. The UK equivalent would be a Chartered Accountant or Chartered Certified Accountant, depending on their professional body.
Many UK subsidiaries of overseas groups need an audit — and only a firm of Chartered Accountants or Chartered Certified Accountants can legally perform one.
But even if you don’t need an audit, a regulated firm like ours gives you confidence that your UK affairs are in safe hands. We are:
We also employ Chartered Tax Advisors (CTA) — offering deep expertise in UK personal and corporate tax.
We are not a generalist local accountant.
We specialise in helping overseas businesses navigate the UK system. Whether you’re taking your first step into the UK through an employee, or looking to change UK accountants after an unsatisfactory experience, we can help.
We understand the challenges you face — and we’re here to help you succeed in the UK with confidence.
Contact us to discuss how we can support your UK operations — whether you need one-off advice or an ongoing compliance partner.
