How do you go about changing accountants?

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

But the process is:

> Appoint a new accountant
> Sign a permission the old accountant to give the info to the new accountant
> Let the new accountant take care of the rest.

If you want, email or call the old accountant. But it's a courtesy more than anything.

If the old accountant doesn't play ball, it's possible for them to get most of the info from the client or HMRC and probably rebuild the rest.

[TheFaQQer]

It's still a noob question - ask the accountant you want to switch to how they will progress the switch, since it might vary anyway.

How many noobs already have an accountant and are looking to change to a different one?

And where are the threads where this happens all the time

[Forbes Young]

My accountant has just completed my year-end and now I think it's time for the parting of the ways (no problems really but they've got bigger and there is much less communication than when I started with them 10 years ago).

So do I just call them up and say thanks but I'm off and then let the new accountants take over, or what?

(I haven't actually engaged the new one yet as I don't really know how to start the process.)

Best to find the new accountant first, then they should be able to help you with the transfer process. The previous accountant will need your authorisation to pass over documentation and information to the new accountant and the latter should receive what they need without problem or delay - there are ethical standards that all qualified accountants should follow otherwise they will be in trouble with their governing body - this includes conduct during the transfer process. There are a lot of unqualified accountants operating in the contractor accountants marketplace so always best to ask about their qualifications and experience before appointing them.