Should I Switch Accountants, and How Do I Do It?

Lots of people stay with an accountant they've outgrown or quietly lost faith in, simply because switching sounds like a hassle. It really isn't. If yours isn't pulling their weight, here's when to move and how the process actually works.

Signs it might be time

A few things suggest you've outgrown your current accountant: you can never get hold of them, work is always last-minute, they never offer advice beyond the basics, or you've grown and they haven't kept up. The odd off year happens to everyone, but a pattern of poor service is a fair reason to look elsewhere. Trust your gut if you've stopped feeling well looked after.

When to make the move

You can switch at any time, but some moments are tidier than others. Just after your year end, or once your tax return is filed, tends to be cleanest, as there's a natural break. That said, don't suffer a bad service for months waiting for the perfect date. If things are going wrong now, now is a fine time to start.

How the handover works

This is the part people worry about, and it's smoother than expected. You appoint your new accountant, and they contact the old one for your records through a standard professional courtesy letter. Your old accountant passes over the necessary information. You authorise the new firm with HMRC. Most of the legwork is done for you, and a good new accountant guides you through each step.

Making it painless

To keep it simple, settle any outstanding fees with your old accountant, and have basic details to hand like your Unique Taxpayer Reference and company information. Be clear with your new firm about what you need. Beyond that, there's not much for you to do. Within a few weeks you're set up and dealing with someone who actually has time for you.

If you've been meaning to switch but kept putting it off, we make it genuinely easy for businesses around Garforth and Leeds. Have a chat with us and we'll handle the heavy lifting.