WARRINGTON, UK. October 13th, 2026: Almost half of the people exploring accountancy support through Caroola Accountancy’s website are younger than 35, signalling a growing interest in professional business services among younger generations. The largest group is now people aged 25 to 34, according to the provider’s latest website data.
The trend comes as the average age of a UK company founder remains relatively unchanged over the long term. Research by company formation agent 1st Formations, based on 9.2 million director appointments, found that the average founder has been around 43 years old for more than 25 years.
New findings from UK accountancy provider Caroola Accountancy suggest that the people seeking accountancy services today are often younger than the typical founder profile might indicate. Those aged 25 to 34 make up the largest share of visitors researching support.
The analysis covered visitors to Caroola’s website between July and October 2026. The 25 to 34 age group accounted for 27% of visitors, with 35 to 44 year olds making up 20% and 18 to 24 year olds accounting for 19%. The data showed that 46% of visitors were under 35, rising to 66% for those under 45.
The longer-term picture from 1st Formations shows a more stable pattern in company formation. Its research found that the average age of directors appointed to new roles remained between 41 and 44 from 2000 onwards. In 2024 and 2025, the average was 43, representing the first material fall in more than a decade. The dataset focuses on director appointments and therefore includes people setting up limited companies.
Young people’s interest in business ownership is also reflected in separate research. A 2025 study by business finance provider Capital on Tap reported that 82% of UK adults aged 18 to 24 were considering starting a business. Its review of Companies House records also found that Manchester had the highest concentration of founders aged 24 and under among UK cities.
Caroola attributes the changing age profile of people seeking support to the growing popularity of freelance work, side businesses and limited companies among younger professionals. For many, engaging an accountant is becoming an early consideration rather than something to address once a business is established.
Akosua Catherine Akobeng, Head of Accountancy Growth at Caroola Accountancy, said: “What we’re seeing today is a new generation of entrepreneurs entering the market much earlier in their careers. Young professionals are increasingly building side hustles, freelance businesses and limited companies alongside traditional employment, and many are seeking professional accountancy support from day one. For many first-time business owners, getting an accountant is one of the first steps they take after deciding to go self-employed.
“The growth we’re seeing among younger demographics reflects a broader shift in entrepreneurship. Starting and running a business is more accessible than ever before, and younger founders are looking for digital-first services that help them stay compliant, save time and focus on growing their business.”
As the entrepreneurial population evolves, Caroola expects expectations of accountancy providers to change with it. Younger founders are likely to place increasing value on responsive advice, services that fit around their circumstances and technology that makes compliance and business administration easier to manage. This points towards a more continuous, accessible approach to accountancy support rather than a service focused solely on year-end requirements.
ENDS
