Is it easy to change accountant?

There are lots of things we're happy to change should it become convenient; our route to work in the morning, our brand of tea, the grocery shop we visit. However, when it comes to changing accountant, as a business owner this can be a very sticky area. Similar to the loyalty we show to banks that we've been with for decades, nowadays changing accountant can be very easy, but we tend to stick with what we know.

Even when people are unhappy with the service they are receiving from their current accountant or bank, they often think "better the devil you know".

I believe the main reasons for people not being keen on changing accountants are:

1. "This will be a big hassle and I don't want to have any extra work as I'm busy already."
2. "I don't want to offend my current accountant."
3. "Will I get charged a fee by my current accountant because they'll be unhappy I'm leaving them?"
4. "Will the new one be any better than the current one? They're all the same, aren't they?"
5. "They don't know my business like my current accountant. It will take ages to get them up to speed and will cost me a load of time and effort."
6. "I don't want to leave at the moment because I've got some accounts due soon."

As an accountant and business advisor to many businesses over the years I can answer each of the above concerns. We've overcome all of these over the years and surpassed the expectations of any customer who has left an accountant to join us.

1. "This will be a big hassle and I don't want to have any extra work as I'm busy already."

There will be a small amount of work up front, including meeting the prospective new accountant and getting to know them. To help with this, there are a few questions you should ask them to check they will be a good fit for you.

Other than giving your new accountant some personal details, the rest of the handover work will actually be completed by your current accountant. Your new accountant will contact them and ask for the reference numbers and working papers required to seamlessly pick up where the others left off. Other than having to answer some questions about certain elements in the accounts that may be specific to your business, there should be no extra work for you. In our experience we're able to work out most of the questions you think you'll be asked when we start working on your accounts. It couldn't be easier for you!

2. "I don't want to offend my current accountant."

This is part and parcel of being in business. As accountants we are in a service industry, meaning if you're unhappy with the service you are receiving there's no reason to stay where you are. If you went to a restaurant and experienced very bad customer service, would you go back there? You won't offend your current accountant if you leave! Sometimes it can work as a wake up call to them because they will realise they haven't been looking after you properly. If they are offended, at the end of the day you won't be dealing with them any longer.

3. "Will I get charged a fee by my current accountant because they'll be unhappy I'm leaving them?"

No you won't, or no you shouldn't. If all of the invoices you've had from your accountant have been paid, and you've not instructed them to complete any further work, then you don't owe them anything. If they have completed some work for you which you've instructed them to do and they've not invoiced it yet, then yes, there could be something to pay.

There will be no cost for them to transfer your information and records to a new accountant as this is dealt with between accountants. If a qualified professional accountant says they will need to invoice for this work, just let the new accountant know and they will deal with it.

4. "Will the new one be any better than the current one? They're all the same, aren't they?" 

The answer to this is yes and no! Unfortunately a lot of accountants in practice are much the same as the rest. It's hard to know if moving to a new accountant will be any better than what you are currently experiencing. However, if your prospective new accountant offers guarantees and proof of what they can do and how they do it then this should be a good indicator that they offer a better service than your current accountant. At the end of the day you won't know until you start using the new accountant. If they can show you the following, you at least have some satisfaction that you will be in safe hands;

• The offer of a money back guarantee if you're not happy with the service.

• Professional qualifications.

• Testimonials are available.

• Fixed fee quotes in advance so you know how much you will be paying.

• Good people skills, and they struck up a good rapport when you met with them.

5. "They don't know my business like my current accountant. It will take ages to get them up to speed and will cost me a load of time and effort." 

A good accountant will pick up what is required very quickly. Your new accountant offering a money back guarantee will protect you from this risk. If your new accountant wants to charge you extra for time to get to know your business then this is probably a sign not to go with them. The reporting requirements for most businesses are all within the same framework, which a decent accountant will know very well. When processing the work to fit into this framework, they will automatically start getting to know your business. There may be a few initial questions asked for certain elements of how your particular business works, but this shouldn't be charged for.

6. "I don't want to leave at the moment because I've got some accounts due soon." 

Most of the time there is always something the accountant needs to do. This is a common reason businesses remain with their accountant; because they believe the new accountant will not be able to finish off what has already been started. Is this a reason to continue paying someone who isn't giving you a great service?

In the situation where your accountant is in the process of finalising a set of accounts they have prepared, then it probably wouldn't be prudent to leave. However, once the accounts have been agreed and signed off there is no reason not to leave then, even if it is part way through the year. Any good accountant will know there will be some extra initial work to get all the records up to date. This is much the same for any business taking a new customer; there is always some extra work up front. A good accountant will offer you a fixed fee service so it shouldn't cost you extra for the new accountant to get your records up to date.

Changed your mind about not wanting to change accountant?

At the end of the day it is entirely your choice if you want to change accountants! If you are thinking about it then it must mean there is something you are unhappy about with your current accountant. If the only reason you're not changing is because you think it is a hard, labourious task and you're not sure if you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire, as long as any new potential accountant can offer guarantees of service levels, and prove them, then there is no reason not to change.

Would you like to discuss anything talked about in this article, or do you have other questions about changing accountant? Please contact Stephen on 01489 584400 or email at stephen@shmsgroup.com.

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