Used by accountancy practices providing audit, financial reporting, and statutory compliance work for clients. The default primary code for most chartered and certified firms.
SIC codes for accountants and bookkeepers
Registering a UK accountancy practice means choosing at least one SIC code on the Companies House application. The Standard Industrial Classification doesn't have a single 'accountant' code, so what you pick depends on whether you're running a full-service firm, a bookkeeping bureau, a tax-only practice, or an outsourced finance function. Most chartered firms register 69201 (Accounting and auditing) as their primary code and add a secondary like 70229 (Management consultancy) if they also do advisory work. Sole practitioners doing tax returns lean on 69203. Bookkeeping bureaus stick with 69202. The list below covers the five codes accountants in the UK pick most often, with a short note on when each one applies and the kind of practice it tends to fit.
SIC codes accountants and bookkeepers typically choose
Narrower than 69201. Chosen by bookkeeping-only practices and bureaus that record transactions and produce trial balances without signing off statutory accounts.
For practices specialising in personal tax returns, corporate tax advisory, R&D tax credits, and HMRC enquiry support. Often registered alongside 69201 by full-service firms.
Covers the advisory side of finance rather than compliance. Practices offering outsourced CFO services, cash-flow forecasting, and financial planning often register here.
Catch-all for advisory work that doesn't fit elsewhere: business planning, M&A support, due diligence, internal controls reviews. Many multi-service accountancy practices register both 69201 and 70229.
Frequently asked questions
Which SIC code should a UK accountancy firm register?
Most chartered and certified accountancy practices in the UK register 69201 (Accounting and auditing activities) as their primary SIC code. It covers the statutory compliance work that most practices do daily: audit, financial reporting, and Companies House filings. Tax-only practices register 69203 instead. Bookkeeping bureaus that do not sign off statutory accounts register 69202.
What's the difference between SIC codes 69201, 69202, and 69203?
69201 is the umbrella code for accounting and auditing work, including statutory audit and financial reporting. 69202 narrows to bookkeeping only: recording transactions and producing trial balances, without signing off accounts. 69203 covers tax consultancy specifically, including tax returns, tax advisory, and HMRC representation. A firm offering all three usually registers 69201 as primary and adds the others as secondary codes.
Can my accountancy firm register more than one SIC code?
Yes. Companies House lets you register up to four SIC codes against a single company. Multi-service accountancy practices commonly use this to reflect their range. For example, 69201 covers compliance work and 70229 covers management consultancy. You list them in order of importance during incorporation, and you can change them later by filing a confirmation statement.