Full Review
QuickBooks has evolved significantly from its desktop origins into a capable cloud accounting platform. For UK small businesses and sole traders, it offers a balanced combination of accessibility and capability - sophisticated enough for real accounting needs, intuitive enough for non-accountants to manage their own books.
Intuit Assist: AI That Actually Helps
The headline development in recent QuickBooks updates is Intuit Assist, Intuit’s AI assistant. Unlike some AI features that feel bolted on, Intuit Assist addresses genuine pain points. It categorises bank transactions automatically, learning from your corrections to improve accuracy. It answers questions about your data in natural language - “How much did I spend on marketing last quarter?” gets an actual answer, not a navigation instruction.
The cash flow forecasting is particularly useful. Based on your historical patterns, recurring bills, and expected income, Intuit Assist predicts your future cash position. For businesses where cash flow timing is critical, this moves from “I think we’ll be okay” to data-informed planning.
MTD Compliance: Straightforward and Solid
QuickBooks is HMRC-recognised MTD software, and the compliance experience is genuinely smooth. VAT returns are calculated automatically from your recorded transactions, you review and submit directly to HMRC from within QuickBooks. The digital links requirement is satisfied without additional tools.
The VAT Agent feature handles different VAT schemes intelligently. Standard VAT, Flat Rate Scheme, VAT Margin Scheme - QuickBooks manages the calculations appropriately for each. For businesses on non-standard schemes, this removes a layer of complexity.
UK Banking Integration
Bank feed connectivity in QuickBooks is reliable across major UK banks. Transactions import automatically (typically daily), appear in your inbox, and the AI suggests categorisation. Most suggestions are accurate for recurring transactions - the AI learns that payments to Tesco are office supplies, payments to British Gas are utilities.
The reconciliation workflow is efficient: review AI suggestions, confirm accurate ones, adjust exceptions, and your books stay current with minimal manual entry.
Tiered Pricing: Choose Carefully
QuickBooks’ tier structure requires evaluation. The entry-level Self Employed (£10/month) handles basic income and expense tracking for freelancers. Simple Start (£14/month) adds core accounting features. Essentials (£28/month) brings bill management and multi-user access. Plus (£38/month) includes project tracking, inventory, and multi-currency. Advanced (£56/month) adds custom reporting and priority support.
The important features often sit in higher tiers. Multi-currency requires Plus. Project tracking requires Plus. If you need these, factor the correct tier into pricing comparisons. Many businesses start on Essentials and upgrade as needs grow.
The User Experience
QuickBooks’ interface is designed for accessibility. Non-accountants can navigate, understand their position, and complete core tasks without accounting training. This makes it practical for small business owners who manage their own books rather than employing bookkeepers.
For accountants, QuickBooks Accountant provides practice-level access to multiple client books with tools for efficient client management.
Customer Support Reality
Customer support quality is inconsistent. Some users report excellent experiences; others describe frustrating delays and unhelpful responses. For critical issues, higher tiers offer better support access, but support quality remains a noted weakness in user reviews.
Our Recommendation
QuickBooks delivers solid value for UK small businesses wanting reliable, MTD-compliant accounting with genuine AI assistance. Intuit Assist reduces manual categorisation work meaningfully. The bank integrations work reliably. The interface is accessible to non-accountants.
Choose the tier that matches your actual needs - don’t pay for features you won’t use, but don’t under-spec and frustrate yourself with missing capabilities. For most small businesses, Essentials or Plus provides the right balance. The 30-day trial lets you evaluate before committing.