3 March 2026 · 5 min read · Bruce Thomas
People stay with an accountant they are unhappy with for years, usually because they imagine the move being awkward or risky. In practice it is a short, well-worn process that the incoming firm handles.
What happens step by step
- You confirm in writing that you would like to appoint the new firm
- The new firm completes identity and anti-money laundering checks
- The new firm writes to your existing accountant for professional clearance and records
- Your former accountant supplies accounts, tax computations, payroll data and software access
- New authorisations with HMRC are put in place for the taxes concerned
- An engagement letter setting out scope and fees is issued and signed
Do you have to tell them yourself?
Only a short note is needed to say you are moving and that they should respond to the clearance request. You do not need to justify the decision or have a difficult conversation.
What to check before you move
- Whether any fees are outstanding, as records can be withheld until settled
- Whether you own your accounting software subscription or your accountant does
- Where your historic records are actually stored
- Whether any filing is mid-flight that is cleaner to let the current firm finish
Timing
Straight after a set of accounts has been filed is the tidiest moment, because there is a natural break in the record. That said, if things are going wrong now, waiting nine months for a neat boundary rarely helps.
How long it takes
The paperwork usually takes a couple of weeks, most of which is waiting on the previous firm. Your own time involved is typically well under an hour.
This article is general guidance for business owners in the UK and does not amount to advice for your particular circumstances. Tax rules change and the right answer depends on your figures — please take specific advice before acting.
