What professional indemnity does your body require?
ICB, AAT and IAB requirements explained.
BookkeeperInsurance
Bookkeeper Insurance
Professional indemnity cover built for bookkeepers, meeting the requirements of bodies like the ICB and AAT, not just general business cover.
Professional indemnity cover built for bookkeepers, meeting the requirements of bodies like the ICB and AAT, not just general business cover.
ICB or AAT PI limitClient financial dataPublic liability
Compare from 20+ Trusted Insurers
Speak to a specialist 0330 027 0996
What is bookkeeper insurance?
Bookkeeper insurance is a combination of covers built around recording and managing client finances, professional indemnity for errors that cause a client a financial loss, employers’ liability if you have staff, and cyber cover for the financial data you hold.
If you hold a practice licence with a body like the ICB or AAT, professional indemnity insurance is mandatory, with minimum cover levels typically starting from £50,000.
Bookkeeper insurance can include:
Professional indemnityEmployers’ liabilityPublic liabilityFidelity guarantee coverBusiness interruptionCyber insurance
Cover often bought alongside bookkeeper insurance
Professional Indemnity
Covers claims that a bookkeeping error caused a client a financial loss.
Employers’ Liability
A legal requirement once you employ any staff, even casual help.
Public Liability
Covers claims if a client or visitor is injured or their property is damaged.
Business Contents
Protects your office, IT equipment and documents.
Cyber Insurance
Covers costs following a data breach involving client financial data.
Does your professional body require PI cover?
Does your professional body require PI cover?
This is separate from your insurer, but it affects whether you can hold a practice licence.
This is separate from your insurer, but it affects whether you can hold a practice licence.
| Professional body | PI required? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
ICB (certified bookkeepers) | Yes, for licensed members | Minimum cover of £50,000 |
AAT (accounting technicians) | Yes, mandatory with a practice licence | Minimum £50,000, scaled to your fee income |
IAB (bookkeepers) | Yes, for licensed members | Similar minimum levels apply |
Not a member of a regulated body | Not mandatory, but strongly recommended | Clients may still expect to see proof of cover |
Top Tip
Bookkeepers typically face lower minimum cover requirements than chartered accountants, since the work involves day-to-day records rather than complex tax and audit advice, but check your policy works on an ‘any one claim’ basis, not an aggregate limit.
How much does bookkeeper insurance cost?
There’s no fixed price. ICB and AAT set minimum indemnity limits from £50,000, scaled to fee income, usually the starting point for bookkeepers.
Annual fee income
Your professional body’s minimum PI limit is often based on income.
Number of staff
More employees increase your employers’ liability exposure.
Services offered
Payroll and VAT work can carry different risk to basic ledger management.
Client money handling
Holding client funds can affect your cover needs.
Level of cover
Higher indemnity limits increase your premium.
Claims history
A clean claims record helps keep premiums down at renewal.
How to get bookkeeper insurance
How to get bookkeeper insurance
Getting bookkeeper insurance takes four steps: tell us about your practice, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting bookkeeper insurance takes four steps: tell us about your practice, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
1
Tell us about your practice
Your services, income and whether you have staff.
2
Choose your covers
Professional indemnity, public liability and any extras.
3
We compare specialist insurers
We search our panel of 20+ UK insurers.
4
Get covered and trading
Receive your documents, usually the same day.
UK-based specialist advisersAccess to specialist insurersNo obligation, just expert helpTrusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
Trusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
Bookkeeper insurance guides
Bookkeeper insurance guides
ICB and AAT minimum limits, ‘any one claim’ cover and run-off.
ICB and AAT minimum limits, ‘any one claim’ cover and run-off.
Bookkeeper insurance FAQs
Bookkeeper insurance FAQs
Straight answers on cover, professional bodies and cost.
Straight answers on cover, professional bodies and cost.
Bookkeeper insurance is a combination of covers built around recording and managing client finances: professional indemnity for errors that cause a client a financial loss, employers’ liability if you have staff, and cyber cover for the financial data you hold.
Still have questions?
Our advisers are here to help you find the right solution.