Switching Accountant | Barton Accountancy

How it works

The whole process, in plain English.

Switching accountant is easier than most people think. There are professional rules — set by the ICAEW — that require your current accountant to hand over your records in a reasonable time. We've done this dozens of times, and the vast majority go through smoothly.

Here's exactly what happens once you decide to switch. You don't need to write any letters, make any awkward phone calls or chase anyone. That's our job.

The 5-step process

Switching, in five steps.

Everything is included in your fixed monthly fee. No extras, no surprises.

1. We have a chat

15 minutes on the phone or in the office. We talk about your business, what's frustrating you, what you need.

2. You get a fixed quote

Within one working day of our chat. One page, one monthly fee, everything included.

3. You sign a letter

A one-paragraph authorisation letter so we can write to your current accountant.

4. We handle the handover

We request your records, your tax references and your HMRC authorities. Your current accountant legally has to cooperate.

5. You switch cleanly

Most clients are fully with us within two weeks. No gaps in service, no missed deadlines, no drama.

Sound familiar?

Most businesses don't have an accountant.
They have a filing service.

If any of these ring true, you're not getting what you should be.

01

You only hear from them at year-end

No check-ins, no planning, no conversation. Just a bill and a set of accounts you don't fully understand.

02

You're never sure where you stand

Your numbers are months out of date. You're making decisions based on gut feel, not real figures.

03

Surprise invoices keep landing

An email here, a phone call there — and suddenly your bill is twice what you expected. No one told you.

Common questions

Things people ask us.

Will my current accountant cause problems?

Very rarely. ICAEW professional rules require them to hand over your records in a reasonable time. Most handovers go smoothly. On the rare occasion there's a problem, we deal with it professionally.

Can I switch mid-year?

Yes. You don't have to wait for your year end. We'll pick up wherever your current accountant left off. There might be a small amount of work to get everything in order, but we'll tell you before we start.

Do I need to tell HMRC?

No, we handle that. We submit new agent authorisation forms (64-8) to HMRC for corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and self assessment. Once HMRC processes them (usually 7-10 days), we can access your records and deal with HMRC on your behalf.

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