Accusolve Accountants helps limited companies, sole traders, landlords, freelancers, contractors, non-UK residents and individuals move their accounting and tax affairs across smoothly, with a clear handover process and practical support from day one.
You can generally change accountant at any time, but the timing and handover matter. If a tax return, VAT return, payroll submission, corporation tax return or Companies House filing deadline is close, it is important to act quickly so nothing is missed during the transition.
Our role is to make the switch feel simple. We help identify what records are needed, request the right handover information, review your current tax and accounting position, and put the correct ongoing support in place for your business or personal tax affairs.
Why Change Accountant?
Clients often come to us when their current accountant is no longer the right fit. Common reasons include:
- Slow responses or poor communication
- Unclear fees, unexpected invoices or limited value
- Missed filing reminders or deadline concerns
- A lack of proactive tax planning or business advice
- Poor bookkeeping visibility or outdated processes
- VAT, PAYE, payroll or corporation tax worries
- The business has grown and now needs more structured support
- You want better support with Xero, QuickBooks or cloud accounting software
How to Change Accountant in 5 Simple Steps
Switching accountants should not feel awkward or complicated. A well-managed handover usually follows these steps:
1. Choose your new accountant
Speak to Accusolve about your current position, deadlines, concerns and the level of support you need going forward.
2. Confirm the services needed
We agree whether you need accounts, tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, company compliance, software setup or wider advisory support.
3. Arrange HMRC authorisation
Before an accountant can deal with HMRC on your behalf, the correct agent authorisation must be in place for the relevant taxes.
4. Request professional handover
We help request the relevant records from your previous accountant, including prior accounts, tax returns, VAT returns and working papers where appropriate.
5. Review, organise and move forward
Once the handover information is received, we review your position, flag any urgent issues and set up a clearer process for future filings, bookkeeping and tax deadlines.
What Information Will Your New Accountant Need?
The exact information depends on whether you are a limited company, sole trader, landlord, partnership or individual taxpayer. Useful details usually include:
- Your business name, Companies House number and registered office details, if applicable
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference, VAT number and PAYE reference, where relevant
- Copies of recent accounts, tax returns, VAT returns and payroll reports
- Access to bookkeeping records, bank feeds, Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or spreadsheet records
- Details of upcoming HMRC and Companies House deadlines
- Any HMRC letters, penalties, payment plans or unresolved tax queries
- Your Companies House authentication code, where online company filings are required
HMRC Agent Authorisation and Companies House Access
When you change accountant, your new accountant may need to be authorised to deal with HMRC for the relevant taxes. This can include areas such as Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT or PAYE, depending on your circumstances.
You should not share your personal Government Gateway or tax account login details with any accountant. Instead, the correct HMRC authorisation process should be followed.
If you run a limited company, your Companies House authentication code is also important. This code is used to authorise online company filings and should be treated carefully. If your previous accountant knows the code and is no longer authorised to file for your company, you should consider changing it.
HMRC authorisation
We help you understand which HMRC authorisations may be needed so we can support the relevant tax services correctly.
Companies House filing access
We can help you review Companies House access, upcoming filing deadlines and your company authentication code position.
Our Change Accountant Support Includes:
When Is the Best Time to Switch Accountants?
The best time to change accountant is usually before a major filing deadline, not during the final rush. However, we regularly speak with clients who need urgent support because a deadline is close, records are unclear or communication with their current accountant has broken down.
You may want to switch before:
- Your company accounts are due
- Your Corporation Tax return is due
- Your Self Assessment deadline is approaching
- A VAT return needs to be submitted
- Payroll year-end or PAYE filings are due
- You are starting a new business, tax year or accounting period
Why Choose Accusolve When Changing Accountant?
Accusolve Accountants provides practical UK accounting, tax and compliance support for ambitious businesses and individuals. We are AAT AML supervised and work with clients in the UK and internationally.
- Clear, practical handover process
- Support for limited companies, sole traders, landlords, freelancers and non-UK residents
- Help with accounts, tax, VAT, payroll, bookkeeping and company compliance
- Cloud accounting support for Xero, QuickBooks and digital record keeping
- Deadline-focused support to help reduce the risk of missed filings
- Friendly, responsive communication with clear next steps
Useful Official Guidance
The following official guidance may be useful when changing accountant:
Change Accountant FAQs
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Can I change accountant at any time?
In most cases, yes. You can usually change accountant at any time, but it is important to consider upcoming tax, VAT, payroll, accounts and Companies House deadlines before making the move. Accusolve can help you understand what needs to be done first.
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Is it easy to change accountants?
It is usually easier than people expect. The key is having a clear handover process, the right HMRC authorisations and access to your accounting records. We help guide you through each step.
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Do I need to tell my old accountant I am leaving?
Usually, yes. You should check your current engagement terms and settle any outstanding matters. Your new accountant may also need to contact your previous accountant to request professional handover information.
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What records are needed to switch accountant?
Common records include recent accounts, tax returns, VAT returns, payroll reports, bookkeeping records, bank statements, HMRC references, Companies House details and access to your accounting software.
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How do I authorise a new accountant with HMRC?
The authorisation process depends on the tax involved. Some authorisations can be handled through HMRC online services, while others may follow a different agent authorisation process. Accusolve can guide you through the correct steps for your situation.
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Should I change my Companies House authentication code?
If your previous accountant knows your company authentication code and is no longer authorised to file for your company, it is sensible to review and, where appropriate, change the code.
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Can I switch accountant if my tax return is overdue?
Yes. If your tax return, accounts, VAT return or other filing is overdue, you should seek help quickly. We can review what is outstanding and help you prioritise the most urgent compliance steps.
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Can I change accountant if I use Xero or QuickBooks?
Yes. We can help review your Xero, QuickBooks or other accounting software setup, check user access, review bookkeeping records and support a smoother handover.
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How long does it take to change accountant?
It depends on how quickly records are provided, whether HMRC authorisation is needed and whether there are urgent deadlines. In many straightforward cases, the initial switch can begin quickly once we have the basic information.
