Changing accountants
Switching is easier than staying somewhere that is not working.
People put this off for years because they imagine it is complicated or awkward. It is neither. Here is exactly what happens.
- We contact your old accountant, not you
- No gap in your filings
- You can switch at any point in the year
The process
What actually happens
- 1
You tell us you would like to switch
A phone call or an email is enough. You do not need to have fallen out with anyone, and you do not need a reason.
- 2
We send professional clearance
We write to your existing accountant with the standard professional clearance request. This is normal, expected, and happens between firms constantly.
- 3
They send us your records
Your previous accountant passes over the information we need. Professional bodies expect this to be dealt with promptly.
- 4
We register as your agent
We set up agent authorisation with HMRC so we can act for you, deal with correspondence and file on your behalf.
- 5
We review where you stand
We check upcoming deadlines, anything outstanding, and whether last year’s figures raise any questions worth asking.
- 6
We take over
You get a written fixed fee, a clear list of what happens next and when, and one named person to contact.
Total effort required from you: usually one email.
Common worries
The three things people ask
“Will my accountant be annoyed?”
Professional clearance is a routine, everyday part of practice. Firms send and receive these letters constantly. It is not personal and it is not a complaint.
“Do I have to wait until my year end?”
No. You can move at any point. Mid-year is completely normal, and the sooner you move the more of the year we can actively work with rather than simply record.
“What if they will not release my records?”
Occasionally a firm is slow, sometimes because of an unpaid bill. In practice this is rare and usually resolves quickly. Where records genuinely cannot be obtained we can rebuild from your bank statements and HMRC data — it has never yet stopped a client from moving.
Good reasons to move
- You cannot get hold of them
- Deadlines have been missed
- Bills arrive unexpectedly
- You do not understand what you are being told
- They never ring you first
- You have grown and they have not
What we will need
- Your previous accountant’s details
- Your UTR and company number if applicable
- Photo ID and proof of address (money laundering rules)
- Ten minutes to sign the engagement letter
Let’s take this off your plate.
A free, informal, no-obligation conversation. Bring your questions — leave with a fixed-fee quote.