Key takeaways
- You do not have to manage the handover. We contact your current accountant, request what we need and ask whether anything is outstanding from their side.
- Before we can act for you, we must check your identity. Anti-money laundering rules require it.
- You authorise us to deal with HMRC for you. For a limited company, we also need the company authentication code, which Companies House posts to the registered office.
- You can change at any time of year, but leaving plenty of time before a filing deadline makes the move easier for everyone.
Changing accountants is usually more straightforward than people expect. Your new accountant does most of the work, and you can carry on running your business while the handover happens.
What we do
Once you have agreed our proposal, we contact your current accountant for you. We request the information we need and ask whether there is anything outstanding from their side.
Once we have received everything, we get to work setting up your file. If anything is missing or unclear, we will tell you what it is and how we will deal with it.
What we ask your previous accountant for depends on your situation, but it usually includes your most recent accounts and tax returns, the working papers behind them, and details of anything in progress, such as payroll, VAT or correspondence with HMRC.
What you need to do
There are only a few things we need from you.
- Agree the proposal. We set out the services and fixed fee in writing before any work starts.
- Confirm your identity. Anti-money laundering rules require us to verify who you are before we can act for you.
- Authorise us with HMRC. This lets us deal with HMRC on your behalf. We start the request, and you approve it.
- For a limited company, find your authentication code. Companies House posts this six-character code to your registered office. It works like a signature for filing online, so we need it to file your company’s accounts and confirmation statement. If you cannot find it, a replacement can take up to 10 working days to arrive by post, so it is worth looking early.
You are welcome to let your current accountant know you are moving, but you do not have to manage the handover yourself.
When is the best time to change?
You can change at any time of year. The move is easiest when there is plenty of time before your next filing or payment deadline, so that nothing is rushed while information is passed across.
If a deadline is close, tell us when we first speak. We will be honest about whether it is better for your current accountant to complete that piece of work first.
How we can help
We look after limited companies, sole traders and personal tax, with a named contact and a fixed fee agreed before we start. If you are thinking of changing, book a free call and we will talk you through what the move would involve for you.
Sources
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Rules change, so check the last-reviewed date. If you would like to talk through how it applies to you, we are happy to help.
Book a free introductory call