Top 5 Bank Accounts for the Self Employed

Top 5 Bank Accounts for the Self Employed
Charlotte Baroukh

Charlotte Baroukh

Tax Expert @ Pie

2 min read

Updated: 23 Oct 2024

2 min read

Updated: 23 Oct 2024

Essential Bank Accounts for Self-Employed Professionals



Sole traders have unique banking requirements, and though it is not required by law that they have a dedicated business bank account most experts agree it can be very useful. A business bank account can make it easier for the sole trader to keep business expenses separate from personal expenses and to track income for tax purposes.


But not just any business bank account will do. Some offer definite advantages over others when it comes to providing the features and services you need to facilitate success. In this brief guide, we profile the top 5 bank accounts for the self-employed as well as the advantages and disadvantages they provide for the sole trader.


Additionally, using a business bank account can streamline financial management, providing easier reconciliation of transactions and simplifying bookkeeping. This separation can also make it easier to present accurate financial statements when seeking credit or investment, which can be crucial for business growth.

Key Features of Self-Employed Accounts

Many bank accounts for the self-employed offer features like integrated bookkeeping tools and expense categorisation. These tools simplify financial management and tax reporting, making it easier to keep accurate records and file taxes efficiently. Additionally, some accounts provide invoicing capabilities, mobile banking apps, and dedicated customer support to help you manage your business finances on the go.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Account

Selecting the right bank account can enhance cash flow management and improve financial organisation. This helps in maintaining clear separation between personal and business finances. Additionally, it can simplify the process of applying for business loans, improve your credit score, and provide access to valuable financial insights through detailed account statements and analysis tools.

<h6><br></h6><h6>Top Bank Account Statistic</h6><p><br></p><p><strong>87%</strong> of self-employed professionals prefer accounts with integrated financial tools. These features support better expense tracking and tax management, significantly improving their overall financial health.</p>


Top Bank Account Statistic


87% of self-employed professionals prefer accounts with integrated financial tools. These features support better expense tracking and tax management, significantly improving their overall financial health.

<h6><br></h6><h6>Key Account Usage Statistic</h6><p><br></p><p><strong>75% </strong>of self-employed individuals report higher satisfaction with bank accounts offering dedicated business support features, including expense management and invoicing tools.</p>


Key Account Usage Statistic


75% of self-employed individuals report higher satisfaction with bank accounts offering dedicated business support features, including expense management and invoicing tools.

Advantages of Opening a Business Account with Revolut


  • Opening a business account is fast and easy.
  • Revolut provide free international money transfers.
  • The Revolut app does an excellent job tracking income and expenses.
  • Revolut offer round-the-clock customer service.
  • A Revolut business account for sole traders comes with a debit card.
  • You have access to a wide variety of currencies at interbank exchange rates.

Disadvantages of Opening a Business Account with Revolut


  • Not all features are available to all customers.
  • Cheques are not available for your account.
  • No reimbursement for victims of unauthorised push payment fraud.
  • No credit or overdraft options.
  • Being a new company service can sometimes be uneven.

Advantages of Opening a Business Account with Barclays


  • There are no questions about the integrity of the institution.
  • Barclays is fully regulated and FSCS protected.
  • The basic business account comes with 12 months of free banking services.
  • Barclays is well-known for hosting networking events to support their business clients.
  • They offer a variety of business loans to help facilitate growth.
  • A contactless debit card with your business account.

Disadvantages of Opening a Business Account with Barclays


  • Account costs of £8.50 per month (as of this writing) kick in after 12 months.
  • Charges associated with cash transactions.
  • The account opening process can be somewhat laborious.
  • Opening an account requires a credit check.

Advantages of Opening a Business Account with Tide


  • Opening an account with Tide is a fast and simple process.
  • The Tide app provides invoicing, accounting and receipt scanning.
  • A MasterCard debit card comes with each account.
  • The company offer 24/7 customer service.
  • The Tide app makes it easy to track business income and expenses.

Disadvantages of Opening a Business Account with Tide


  • There are limits on ATM withdrawals.
  • The free Tide app is devoid of some important features.
  • Your business account does not come with a cheque option.
  • The Tide app does not work in some countries.
  • There is no credit or overdraft protection.

Advantages of Opening a Business Account with ANNA Money


  • Open a business account in under 10 minutes.
  • MasterCard debit card provided with every paid account.
  • AI-enabled computing that recognises trends and anticipates needs.
  • ANNA Money app scans and organises receipts.
  • Creates, sends and follows up on invoices.
  • Fast and friendly customer service.

Disadvantages of Opening a Business Account with ANNA Money


  • Every ATM withdrawal will cost you £1.
  • No brick-and-mortar component.
  • No cheques for your business account.
  • No overdraft or credit facility.
  • Not inconsequential fees for foreign currency transactions.

Advantages of Opening a Business Account with Wise


  • Vast experience with international money transfers.
  • Wise is rightly lauded for their reasonable fees on international fund transfers.
  • With an international business account, you can hold and manage up to 50 currencies.
  • Built-in invoicing and payment collection options.
  • Easy integration with other business software.
  • Rock solid security and reliability.

Disadvantages of Opening a Business Account with Wise


  • Like most mobile-first fintech apps there is no brick-and-mortar presence.
  • Does not offer most traditional banking services.
  • Does not offer overdraft protection or credit cards.
  • Account balances are not protected by FSCS.

Summary

The best bank accounts for sole traders make it easy to open and manage an account, easy to create and track invoices, easy to track business income and expenses and offer round-the-clock customer service. Where many of them falter is in providing a way to keep tabs on your tax status in real-time. That's where the Pie app comes in. The Pie Tax App is completely free to use, find out what features are included here:

How is Pie different?

Pie is the only app for self assessment with tools for bookkeeping, your live tax figure, easy tax returns and helpful advice when you need it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What features should I look for in a bank account for self-employment?

Look for accounts with no monthly fees, integrated bookkeeping tools, and easy expense tracking features. These features help streamline financial management and tax preparation.

How do I choose between different business bank accounts?

Consider factors such as fee structures, customer support, and integration with accounting software. Compare these aspects to find an account that best meets your business needs.

Are there any bank accounts specifically designed for self-employed professionals?

Yes, many bank accounts are tailored for self-employed individuals, offering features like expense management and invoicing tools. Accounts from Barclays, Starling, and Revolut are notable examples.

How can the Pie Tax App assist with managing my business finances?

The Pie Tax App helps manage financial records, track expenses, and ensure compliance with tax obligations. Expert tax assistants on the Pie app provide valuable guidance and support.

What are the benefits of using a bank account with integrated financial tools?

Integrated financial tools simplify expense tracking, tax reporting, and financial management. They help maintain clear separation between personal and business finances, saving time and reducing errors.

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