How Can I Find My Accounts Office Reference Number?

If you’re asking yourself “how can I find my accounts office reference number?”, you’re not alone. As a UK-based accountant and tax advisor, I’ve worked with countless employers, and this is one of the most common payroll-related questions I receive.

Whether you’re managing payroll for the first time or reviewing your existing PAYE records, understanding your Accounts Office Reference Number (AORN) is absolutely vital. It serves as a unique identifier assigned by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to ensure your payroll submissions, payments, and tax liabilities are accurately processed.

Let’s break it down — from what it is, why it matters, and most importantly, how you can find your accounts office reference number.

What Is an Accounts Office Reference Number?

Your Accounts Office Reference Number (AORN) is a unique 13-character alphanumeric code that HMRC issues to every registered employer in the UK.

This code helps HMRC track your business’s PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax obligations, including income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for employees.

The format typically looks like this:

123PA12345678

• The first three digits identify your local tax office.
• The following two letters and eight digits are unique to your business.

You’ll need this reference every time you pay PAYE tax or submit reports such as FPS (Full Payment Submission) and EPS (Employer Payment Summary) through HMRC’s Real Time Information (RTI) system.

Source: HMRC – PAYE Online

Why Is the Accounts Office Reference Number Important?

You may be wondering, “Why is this number such a big deal?”

Here’s why:

• It links your payroll submissions directly to HMRC’s systems.
• It ensures that your PAYE tax payments are correctly allocated.
• It is required when using payroll software, including when submitting RTI reports.
• It is essential for compliance and helps avoid fines or penalties due to incorrect reporting.

Without your AORN, your business might struggle with submitting accurate returns and may even face compliance issues.

Reminder: Keeping your AORN secure and accessible is just as important as keeping your business registration number or VAT number safe.

You can also read our more guides on Personal Tax:

What is a Sole Proprietorship? Things You Should Know

How Much Will I Pay Tax on My Bonus in the UK?

How to Check CIS Status in the UK ?

Highest Council Tax Bands in the UK?

How Can I Find My Accounts Office Reference Number?

This is the heart of the matter: “How can I find my accounts office reference number?” There are several reliable ways to locate it:

1. HMRC Correspondence

When you first register as an employer, HMRC will send you a welcome letter (form P350) that includes your AORN. Check your physical or digital mail from HMRC — the number will be printed clearly on any PAYE-related documents.

2. HMRC Online Services

If you’ve registered for HMRC’s online services, log in to your account and:

• Go to “PAYE for employers”
• Select “View account”
• Your Accounts Office Reference Number will appear alongside your Employer PAYE Reference.

➡️ Log in here: HMRC Sign In

3. Your Payroll Software

If you’re using software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage, your AORN should be saved in the payroll settings. Look under “HMRC details” or “Employer settings”.

4. Ask Your Accountant or Payroll Bureau

If you outsource payroll, your accountant or payroll bureau will definitely have a record of it.

5. Call HMRC’s Employer Helpline

If all else fails, call the HMRC Employer Helpline:
📞 0300 200 3200
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
You’ll need to confirm your business name, UTR, and PAYE reference.

Tip: Always keep your AORN in a secure but easily accessible location. You’ll need it every time you make a payment or submit payroll info to HMRC.

Examples of Accounts Office Reference Numbers

To help you identify the format, here are a few examples:

• 123PA00123456
• 456AB98765432
• 321XY12345678

The first three numbers identify your tax district. The rest is your unique employer ID. Do not confuse this with your Employer PAYE Reference, which usually looks like: 123/AB4567. While they are used together, they are two separate identifiers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is my Accounts Office Reference Number the same as my Employer PAYE Reference?

No. While they’re related, they serve different purposes. Your Employer PAYE Reference identifies your business for employee tax records, while the AORN is used to allocate tax payments and process submissions.

❓ Can I have more than one AORN?

Typically, no. One AORN is assigned per employer per PAYE scheme. However, if you operate multiple PAYE schemes for different parts of your business, you may have more than one.

Official Sources to Verify

For further details or confirmation, you can refer to:

• ✅ GOV.UK – PAYE for Employers
• ✅ Chartered Institute of Taxation

These are trusted and recognised authorities in the UK for payroll, tax and compliance matters.

Why You Should Keep It Safe

Your Accounts Office Reference Number is like the national insurance number of your business’s payroll. Without it, HMRC won’t be able to track your payments properly, which could result in penalties or misallocated payments. Treat it as a sensitive and essential part of your business records.

My Final Thoughts

As someone deeply involved in UK tax and payroll advisory, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to know and safeguard your AORN.

It’s the cornerstone of your business’s payroll relationship with HMRC. So, if you’ve been wondering “how can I find my accounts office reference number?”, I hope this guide has made things clearer.

Still can’t find it or have questions about PAYE submissions? I recommend logging into your HMRC account or speaking with your accountant — or, better yet, use our calculators below to manage your employee and dividend tax obligations with ease.

✅ Use Our Free Tools for Employers and Contractors

Take advantage of our expertly built tax calculators:

• 🔢 Bonus Tax Calculator – Work out exactly how much tax your employees will pay on bonuses.
• 📈 Dividend Tax Calculator – Understand how much tax you’ll pay on dividends.
• 🎧 Listen to Taxman Calculator – Get a clear breakdown of your income tax, NI and take-home pay.

These tools are designed to simplify your tax responsibilities and ensure you stay compliant with HMRC.

The Bottom Line

So, to wrap it up: if you’re still asking “how can I find my accounts office reference number?”, just remember to start with HMRC letters, check your online account, or get in touch with HMRC directly. It’s a small code, but it plays a huge role in your business’s financial health.

Make sure to store it securely and use it whenever required for tax submissions and payments.