You would like closer follow-up, a more available contact, or support better suited to your business, in English?
Changing accountant in France is possible at any time. It is simple when well prepared.
What you can expect from your next accountant
Changing firms is a good time to say clearly what you expect. Here are our commitments, set out in our collaboration charter:
- a single point of contact, your chartered accountant, who centralises your requests and follows your file throughout the year, from one year to the next;
- a quick answer, usually within two working days, and an alert as soon as a deadline or point of attention concerns you;
- anticipation: a calendar of your deadlines, shared from the start of the engagement;
- support that keeps pace with your growth: first employees and payroll, incorporation, foreign subsidiary or shareholders, exchanges in English;
- online tools: invoice upload, bank feeds, e-invoicing;
- a written scope and fees, known before you commit.
These commitments are mutual: the charter also sets out what we expect from you, such as sending your documents regularly.
Our guides and tools for each step
Three practical guides, each with a free tool, and two references to choose your new accountant with full knowledge: our fees, with the estimator, and the compatibility test.
When to change accountant in France: notice period, year-end and simulator
At year-end or during the year: who does what, the impact on year-end work, and a date simulator.
Terminating your accountant’s engagement in France: an example letter to adapt
What the letter contains, how to send it, and an example pre-filled with your details.
Comparing chartered accountant proposals in France: the checklist to choose well
The questions to ask to compare proposals on the same basis, and a free checklist.
Fees
Tailored fees, in line with the work your file requires, and an estimator for a first indication.
Compatibility test
Ten questions, two minutes: check that our support matches your expectations.
1. Check your engagement letter
French engagement letters usually run for one financial year and renew automatically, with a notice period for termination.
Respecting it avoids any dispute.
2. Choose the date of the change
There are two cases:
- at year-end: the simplest option, each firm handling a full financial year;
- during the year, if your engagement letter allows it or by agreement: your current firm keeps the books until the end of its engagement, then the new firm takes over and prepares the year-end accounts, usually with a supplement for that work.
The date depends on when you send your letter and on your termination clause. Work out the date of your change
3. Appoint your new accountant
Discuss your activity, expectations, task allocation and fees, then sign a new engagement letter. Compare proposals with our checklist
Before talking to us, form your own view: estimate your budget, then check in 2 minutes that our approach suits you.
4. Notify your current firm
Send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, respecting the notice period and terms set in your engagement letter. Get an example termination letter
Once you have announced your departure and signed the new firm’s engagement letter, the new firm contacts its predecessor, as required by French professional rules, to organise the handover.
5. Hand over the file
Last annual accounts and tax returns, trial balance, general ledger, accounting entries file (FEC) and pending filings are transferred.
Fees due for work performed remain payable.
You never need to share your passwords for the tax or social security portals: the new firm obtains its own access through the official procedures (delegation in your business tax account, mandate for the Urssaf), which it explains and helps you set up.
A smooth transition, in everyone’s interest
A change goes best when everyone sees their commitments through, until the end of the engagement:
- your current firm completes the agreed work and hands over the file;
- on your side, you keep sending your documents and settle the fees due;
- exchanges remain courteous and constructive.
This is the spirit in which we work: our role is to make the transition easier, in liaison with your current firm and in line with professional rules.
We handle the handover for you, in English.
Our fees, set out clearly
Before contacting us, form your own view: how we set your budget, what it covers and the set-up fees to expect. See our fees
For a first indication for your situation, in 2 minutes: estimate my budget
Frequently asked questions
My accountant takes a long time to reply: what should I do?
Start by talking it through with them: a discussion of your expectations and timescales is sometimes enough. If nothing changes, responsiveness is a legitimate criterion for choosing your next firm: ask for its commitments in writing. At Hexaconto, our collaboration charter provides a single point of contact and an answer usually within two working days.
Can I change accountant during the financial year?
Yes, if your engagement letter allows it or by agreement with your current firm. Your current firm keeps the books until the end of its engagement, then the new firm takes over and prepares the year-end accounts, usually with a supplement for that work, stated in its proposal.
Do I need my current accountant’s agreement?
No. You are free to choose your accountant, subject to the notice period set in your engagement letter.
What documents will my new accountant need?
Mainly the latest annual accounts and tax returns, the general ledger and accounting entries file (FEC), payroll records and the corporate documents. Your new accountant usually requests them directly.
Will I still have to pay my previous firm?
Fees for work already carried out remain due under your engagement letter. Settling them makes the handover smoother.
Does the new firm charge set-up fees?
It may charge one-off set-up fees, stated in advance in its proposal. They cover the start-up work: organising the handover, reviewing the history, setting up your file and tools, and understanding your business. The amount depends mainly on the condition of the file taken over, and you know it before you commit.
How long does the handover take?
Usually a few weeks, depending on the notice period, the size of the file and the responsiveness of each party.