Accounting industry revenues dip 0.8% in November

Accounting industry revenues slipped slightly in November, falling 0.8% month-on-month to £3.96bn, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics yesterday (14 January).

While the decline compares with revenues of £3.99bn in October, November’s total remained 3% above the sector’s average monthly revenue for 2025 and was the fourth-highest monthly figure recorded last year so far. Revenues were also 1% higher than in November 2024.

By contrast, revenues across the wider services sector fell more sharply, down 3.3% month-on-month to £240bn in November from £248bn in October. Services revenues were 2.1% higher than a year earlier.

According to the ONS, the overall UK economy grew by 0.3% in November, beating expectations, with the services sector contributing to the improvement in gross domestic product.

Julie Matheson, accounting industry regulatory partner at Kingsley Napley, said: “November’s performance is unsurprising given the UK economy is pretty much flatlined in the run-up to the Autumn Budget statement.

“Today’s figures are also a reminder that the growth picture remains sluggish. Given the overall economy continues to be in a fragile state going into the New Year, caution and prudence should remain the name of the game for accounting firm leaders in their financial planning for 2026.”