Changing Accountant

[JimChanga]

Good morning,
My current accountant has done some poor work for me over the last year end, and I have decided to change going forward.
However, before I go ahead and make it irreversible, I was wondering who would look after my old information? In particular if I get an investigation or queries on last year's or the year before's information, who would do the work? Will all the old info get handed across to my new guy, or will I have to employ the old dude again to handle any questions from the taxman over old information?

Thanks - any info on what normally happens here is appreciated!

Jim

[taxattack]

There would normally be a formal handover process whereby you advise previous accountant of your plan, and new accountant writes to previous accountant for handover information. In theory this should be sufficient to ensure a seamless transition.

It's important to distinguish between your own documents and papers, and the papers of the previous accountant, which obviously contain workings of how they got from your documents to the final figures.

In the event of later enquiry, it's your choice who to employ to deal with it, but it would normally be the new accountant, and as I say, there should be sufficient information. However, in the case of a detailed enquiry, it may be necessary to recreate some of the old workings, unless old accountant is co-operative.

Hope that helps.

Chris

[CassioAcc]

The records handed over are usually minimal but it varies. However, between your own documents and the handover documents you can normally re-create.

In the event of an enquiry your new accountant could handle this - you will have all the original documents so if they are unable to obtain information form the old accountant they can re-crete.

If you are leaving your old accountant then try to do it amicably, they will be more likley to co-operate with your new appointment.

[Basement_Studios_Ltd]

Jim,

As everyone has said try and keep it amicable with your old accountant - its always worthwhile to keep bridges open.

However, we dealt with a change-over recently where there was a lot of bad feeling, the old accountant we believe put in a money laundering report and then had to deal with an inspection off the back of that > all went fine! So try not to worry, keep it friendly, pay any outstanding bills and it will be smooth!

Thanks,

Rob.