At a glance

  • Time: usually 5–7 working days from sign-up to fully active.
  • Your time investment: about 30 minutes filling out onboarding forms.
  • Cost: none with IGI — switching is free.
  • Risk: very low — professional clearance is a standard, well-established process.

Documents to gather

  1. Most recent statutory accounts (if limited company) — usually the latest filed at Companies House.
  2. Most recent tax return (Self Assessment or CT600) and the supporting computation.
  3. Bookkeeping records or software access for the current year.
  4. HMRC UTR(s) for the business and each director / partner.
  5. Companies House authentication code if you have it (not strictly required).
  6. VAT registration number and PAYE references where applicable.
  7. Last engagement letter from your current accountant if you have one.
Don't have all of these?

Almost nobody does. Your new accountant gets the rest from your old accountant via professional clearance, or directly from HMRC where needed.

The 7-day process, step by step

Day 1 — Sign up & engagement

You complete a short onboarding form, sign a letter of engagement and confirm your year-end and tax references. With IGI this happens online, including your quote.

Day 2 — Professional clearance

The new accountant writes to the old one asking for clearance to take over and for any records they hold. This is a standard letter — your old accountant is professionally obliged to respond.

Day 3 — HMRC authorisations

While clearance is in flight, the new accountant submits 64-8 authorisations to HMRC so they can act on your behalf for Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE.

Day 4 — Records review

Records typically arrive within a few days. Your new accountant reviews them, flags anything to clean up, and sets up the bookkeeping software.

Day 5 — Year plan

You get a short year-plan: filing deadlines, tax dates, payroll cadence (if any), and any quick wins your new accountant has spotted.

Day 6 — Software setup

Bank feeds connected, receipt capture set up, mobile app installed if applicable. The first quarter's bookkeeping is ready to roll.

Day 7 — Welcome call

You meet your dedicated accountant on a video call, walk through the plan and the Client Hub, and ask anything you've been holding for "the new accountant." Done.

What could go wrong (and how to avoid it)

  • Unresponsive old accountant. Rare but happens. The new accountant chases politely and, if needed, escalates via the professional body.
  • Outstanding fees with old accountant. Settle these — accountants can hold records (a "lien") if fees are unpaid.
  • Mid-deadline switch. Try to avoid the week before a major filing. If you can't, the new accountant will prioritise.
  • Missed details. Tell the new accountant about any HMRC enquiries, dormant entities or quirks before they discover them.

Printable checklist

Save / print this checklist

You can use it with any UK accountant — but if you'd like us to do all of it for you for free, get a quote in two minutes.

  1. Confirm year-end and tax references
  2. Gather last accounts and last tax return
  3. Note your bookkeeping software (if any)
  4. List any outstanding HMRC issues
  5. Sign up with new accountant & engagement letter
  6. Approve professional clearance letter
  7. Authorise new accountant with HMRC
  8. Hand over records via secure upload
  9. Welcome call & year plan
  10. Go and grow the business