Moving accountants?

[inniAccounts]

Speaking as an accountant who has transferred in clients from most firms, it's generally pretty smooth when transferring from large specialists. I've just done a straw poll in the office and SJD are one of the better firms when it comes to a seamless transition - there's a sigh of relief when someone joins us from SJD versus other unnamed firms!

In general, most firms are pragmatic - they realise the client is leaving and understand that the most effective thing for all parties involved is to hand everything over sharpish. The sooner you, as a client, have clarity as to who's responsible for your compliance, the better. Saying that, many smaller firms don't act in such a professional manner - I suspect they take it more personally and it's really difficult for us to get the information we need. It's like prising a ring binder from the clutches of a grumpy child.

You're right in saying that the end of the year is generally the best time to move. You can wrap up one year with your previous accountant, and start afresh with your new accountant. For the majority of accountants (including SJD I believe), you are paying your fees in advance for year end accounts production. Therefore, if you leave at the end of the year there shouldn't be any additional fees and you should leave with a complete set of filed accounts.

+1 for Maslin's point - be a gent and let SJD know what's going on before NW take over.

[Datalink]

Erm, wouldn't it be better to ring them?

I can't during working hours.

[Maslins]

Most accountants will be reasonable when it comes to how long you've been a client (ie paid them) vs what work needs doing. If you've been with them a full year and year end has just passed, then changing now is a good time assuming you're sure you want to move. They should still prepare the accounts/CT return for the year just ended.

I'd recommend (for etiquette reasons rather than any legal requirement) that you contact the accountant you're leaving to tell them. Always a bit sour when the first they hear about it is from the new accountant.

[Nixon Williams]

Hello, if you have not already made contact with us then please do and we can discuss the transfer process. We do this all the time so it is rarely a problem and we handle most of the process for you.

Although some other accountants make their clients pay for a full year, we only ask for 1 month's notice should you wish to leave us, as we are confident that you will be pleased with the service that we provide.

Alan

[northernladuk]

Okay thanks, I will send an email tomorrow.

Erm, wouldn't it be better to ring them?

[Datalink]

Okay thanks, I will send an email tomorrow.

[northernladuk]

Should I talk to my accountant first, or to the admin people at the office? Not really sure how to go about this.

Both of them, all of them. Anyone you need to to be happy with the situation. If everyone says the same thing then you are sorted.

[malvolio]

Should I talk to my accountant first, or to the admin people at the office? Not really sure how to go about this.

Talk to NW. They will manage the process on your behalf. Just like SJD did for me in 2001...

[Datalink]

Should I talk to my accountant first, or to the admin people at the office? Not really sure how to go about this.

[VectraMan]

The bulk of the work is at the end of the year so there's no reason for them to charge you for the whole year. If anything you've partly paid for a service you're not using.

I left SJD partly through a year when I went perm, and they were extremely helpful and reasonable about it, but then I wasn't going to a competitor.

[Datalink]

Hi, thanks. I started with SJD a year ago, so I am going to assume that my year is up and I am free to move, like finishing a phone contract etc.

[northernladuk]

Don't be surprised when are expected to pay your full year to SJD despite leaving them. You are not charged per month, you paying monthly for a yearly charge. Does get some people wound up. Dunno if you can negotiate with them or what but don't expect the payments just to stop the month you want to leave. Expecting it stops it stinging.

The two accountants should work together to hand over smoothly. Am sure NW have done this exact process before and I am sure SJD have as well so shouldn't be a problem.

I would speak to NW about the exact process and take guidance from them.

[Datalink]

Hi all,

Looking to move from SJD to Nixon Williams, is this normally a straight forward move? I have just reached the end of my company year.

I take it I would just email my current accountant and inform him that I would like to move and then start paying NW?