You can decide to change accountant at any time.
But the date you choose shapes the handover: who prepares which accounts, when the new firm takes over, and what it means for your fees.
What sets the date of your change
Two things: the date you send your termination letter and the termination clause of your engagement letter.
Most commonly, the engagement runs for one financial year, renews automatically and can be terminated at year-end, by registered letter received a few months before the year-end (often three).
Some engagement letters also allow termination at any time, with a notice period.
There are two cases.
Changing at year-end
This is the simplest option: each firm handles a full financial year.
For example, with a year-end on 31 December 2027 and 3 months’ notice:
- you send your registered letter before 30 September 2027, allowing a few days for delivery;
- your current firm completes its engagement and prepares the 2027 accounts;
- your new firm takes over on 1 January 2028, with the new financial year.
Changing during the year
This is possible if your engagement letter allows it, or by agreement with your current firm, for example if you want support without waiting for year-end.
Outside the agreed terms, your engagement letter may provide for an indemnity: read it before sending your letter, or have it checked.
For example, with a year-end on 31 December 2027 and an engagement ending on 30 June 2027:
- your current firm keeps the books until 30 June 2027, without preparing year-end accounts;
- your new firm takes over on 1 July 2027 and prepares the year-end closing on 31 December 2027.
Good to know: year-end accounts after a mid-year takeover
Preparing the year-end accounts is the most technical part of the engagement: it accounts for a significant share of the annual fees.
These fees are spread over the 12 months of the financial year.
Taking over on 1 July, the new firm prepares the accounts for the whole year but receives only 6 monthly fees out of 12. It therefore usually provides for a supplement for the year-end accounts, covering the months already elapsed.
This supplement is stated in its written proposal: you know it before you commit.
To avoid it, the simplest option, where possible, is to aim for a change at year-end.
Estimate the date of your change
Enter the termination clause of your engagement letter, the date you send your letter, your notice period and your year-end: the simulator gives you the estimated end of the engagement and the takeover date.
Estimate the date of your change
Indicative estimate. Termination at year-end: your letter must reach your firm at least as many months before the year-end as your notice period. Termination at any time: the engagement ends at the end of the month in which the notice period ends. Check your engagement letter.
Your detailed calendar, checked by a chartered accountant
Get your full calendar: who prepares which accounts, the impact on year-end work, the latest date to change at year-end, and the points to check in your engagement letter.
It is displayed as soon as you send the form and e-mailed to you. You can then send us your current engagement letter, simply by replying to that e-mail: we check your notice period.
What next?
Once the date is chosen, you appoint your new firm, then notify your current one.
Until the end of the engagement, everyone sees their commitments through: your current firm completes the agreed work, you keep sending your documents and settle the fees due. It is the best guarantee of a smooth transition. See the steps to change accountant
Frequently asked questions
Can I change just before year-end?
It depends on your engagement letter. With the most common clause (letter received three months before year-end), a letter sent in November 2027 arrives after the 30 September deadline: the engagement continues until the 31 December 2028 year-end, unless agreed otherwise with your current firm. If your engagement letter allows termination at any time with 3 months’ notice, it takes effect at the end of February 2028 and your new firm takes over on 1 March 2028.
Is the year-end supplement systematic?
It is common for a mid-year takeover, because the year-end accounts cover the whole year. Its amount depends on the number of months already elapsed and on the condition of the file. It is stated in the new firm’s written proposal, before any commitment.
What if I did not respect the notice period?
The notice period in your engagement letter applies: the corresponding fees remain due, and an indemnity may be provided for if you leave outside the notice period. A courteous discussion with your current firm often makes it possible to agree an end date that suits everyone.
My engagement letter only allows termination at year-end: what should I do?
This is the most common case. Send your letter before the deadline, to change at the next year-end. If you would like to leave earlier, discuss it with your current firm: an early departure remains possible by mutual agreement. We can check this clause with you.
Who prepares the accounts for the year that has just ended?
In principle, your current firm, if its engagement ends after the year-end and according to its engagement letter: it prepares the accounts for the year ended, then the new firm takes over for the current year.