Protocol for changing Accountants?

**Nixon Williams** · 13 May 2009, 14:48

Originally posted by Platypus View Post

I have appointed a new accountant - the old one was just taking the P with regard to the level of fees being charged. What is the normal protocol with switching? I'm thinking,

(1) Tell old accountant goodbye
(2) Tell new accountant that old accountant has at last been booted
(3) Instruct new accountant to inform HMRC that they are now appointed as my agents

Does old accountant send records etc to new accountant? Does new accountant need any such records? I can see that old accountant will want to charge for a handover process but I'm not sure that a handover is even necessary. My financial affairs are very simple!

TIA !

I would suggest that you advise your old accountant that you are moving away from them.

You will need to let your new accountant know the details of the old accountant as they will write to them for certain details and enquire if there is anything that the new accountant needs to be aware of.

The old accountant should forward the details to your new one, some though are better than others at doing this.

From our experience we always contact the old accountant:

1. We then check that the last year end is in order and that the accounts are reconciled. I have to say that in our experience around 50% of takeovers have errors within the accounts, but we sort these out.

2. Check if your old accountant makes a charge for suppling this information, we do not, but there are many that do.

3. A handover is necessary!

4. It should be quite simple, some accountants use delaying tactics and some take a long time to respond or prepare accounts etc, but you should keep on top of them to ensure the transfer is done asap.

Alan

**Platypus** · 14 May 2009, 08:14

Thanks, Alan. That's very useful.

Protocol for changing Accountants?