How to change accountants without the stress
A practical guide for UK business owners and company directors who feel they have outgrown their current accountant.
Signs it may be time to change
Many business owners stay with an accountant out of habit. If any of these sound familiar, it may be worth a conversation with a new firm.
- Your accountant only contacts you at year-end or when something is overdue
- You receive accounts but no explanation of what the numbers mean
- Your business has grown but the service and advice have not
- Questions take days to answer, or you never speak to the same person twice
- Nobody has talked to you about cash flow, profit or tax planning
Changing accountants in six steps
- 1
Decide what you need from an accountant
Be clear about what is missing today. Common reasons include slow responses, no proactive advice, no regular management information, or a firm that only files accounts once a year.
- 2
Check your current notice terms
Look at your engagement letter for any notice period and for any fees still owed. Changing accountants is normally straightforward, but it helps to know the terms before you give notice.
- 3
Appoint your new accountant
Your new accountant will normally ask for your permission to contact your previous accountant. This is known as professional clearance, and it lets them request the information they need.
- 4
Hand over your records
Your new accountant will ask for the latest accounts and tax computations, VAT and payroll records, and details of upcoming deadlines. You should also share access to your cloud accounting software.
- 5
Update HMRC and Companies House access
Your new accountant will need authorisation to act for you with HMRC, and arrangements for filing company documents. Your old accountant's authority is then removed.
- 6
Agree who is handling each deadline
Check the dates for your next VAT return, payroll submissions, Self Assessment and company filings, and agree who is responsible for each so that nothing is missed during the handover.
The details differ between businesses, which is why we manage the handover with you and keep you informed at each stage.
Changing accountants: common questions
Yes. You can change accountants at any time. Many businesses switch after a year-end or before a major deadline, but there is no need to wait if your current service is not working for you.
Your previous accountant may charge for work already completed or for providing records, so check your engagement letter. Our own fees are agreed in advance, so you know what to expect before work starts.
Not if the handover is planned. We agree who is responsible for each deadline at the start, so filings and payments are not missed.
Thinking about switching?
Book a free, no-obligation conversation. We will explain what a handover involves and what working with us would look like.
Book a Free Consultation