Yes. AI companies buy records from accountancy firms, and micro1, Handshake AI and Turing accept companies in the UK. Published payouts for this kind of company run £75K to £370K ($100K to $500K), from micro1's qualified-partnership tier. ICAEW and ACCA codes of ethics require client confidentiality, and HMRC data stays out.
What accountancy firm records AI buyers want
Practices with years of Making Tax Digital bookkeeping and VAT workflows hold well-structured, repeatable records.
Mercor runs an accounting firm listing (US firms only); micro1 lists finance and accounting processes.
| Record | Why buyers want it |
|---|---|
| Close checklists and reconciliations | micro1 lists reconciliations, approvals and reporting workflows. |
| Engagement workflows and review notes | Show how a reviewer catches problems. |
| Firm SOPs and templates | Your own material, so the easiest to license. |
| De-identified workpapers | Valuable once client identities are removed. |
Which AI data buyers accept UK accountancy firms
micro1 names the UK among its strongest markets after the US.
| Buyer | Fit for the UK | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| micro1 | Strong fit | 30+ full-time staff, mostly English records; priority market; lists finance and accounting processes |
| Handshake AI | Good fit | Professional services is closest; 20+ staff and 3+ years; accepts companies outside the US |
| Turing | Good fit | Full operating records up to $1M; strongest demand in the US, UK, Canada and EU |
Published payouts in GBP
Micro1's qualified-partnership tier is the closest published figure for accountancy firms, converted to GBP. Larger programs pay more for long, linked histories.
| Published figure | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|
| micro1, qualified partnership | $100K to $500K | £75K to £370K |
| micro1, large-scale datasets | $500K to $2M | £370K to £1.5M |
| Handshake AI, advertised range | $100K to $4M+ | £75K to £3M+ |
UK rules for accountancy firms
ICAEW and ACCA codes of ethics require client confidentiality, and HMRC data stays out.
Any personal data left in the records falls under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018; the UK privacy steps apply to every industry. For detail, see GDPR, CCPA and licensing company data for AI. Before anything leaves, exclude:
- Client financial statements and tax identifiers.
- Material covered by professional confidentiality rules.
- Data from client systems you accessed under engagement letters.
Source: ICO: UK GDPR guidance
Can an accounting firm license client working papers?
Only with client identities removed and only where professional confidentiality rules and engagement letters allow it. Firm-wide procedures, close checklists and review-note patterns are the lower-risk core.
Our guide covers this in depth: AI data licensing: a guide for lawyers, accountants and advisors.
US tax on the license fee
For the UK: 0% with a treaty form (W-8BEN-E).
Source: IRS: Tax treaty tables
Common questions
Do AI companies buy accountancy firm data in the UK?
Yes. micro1, Handshake AI and Turing accept companies in the UK. Practices with years of Making Tax Digital bookkeeping and VAT workflows hold well-structured, repeatable records.
How much do AI companies pay for accountancy firm data?
Published payouts for this kind of company run £75K to £370K ($100K to $500K), from micro1's qualified-partnership tier, with larger tiers for big or unique datasets. Actual offers depend on your records and rights.
Is it legal for an accountancy firm in the UK to sell company data?
ICAEW and ACCA codes of ethics require client confidentiality, and HMRC data stays out.
Can an accounting firm license client working papers?
Only with client identities removed and only where professional confidentiality rules and engagement letters allow it. Firm-wide procedures, close checklists and review-note patterns are the lower-risk core.
Sources and further reading
Origin Data Partners is independent and not affiliated with any buyer named on this page.