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As a small business owner, you likely understand the importance of working with an accountant who understands your business and works to help you meet your goals. If your current accountant is not the right fit, you might wonder about how to go about switching to a new accounting firm. At TMD Accounting, we have provided small business accounting services to many companies over the past four decades. When we meet with new clients, many express they were frustrated with their former accountants because of poor communication. We always maintain strong communication with our clients to ensure they understand their finances and where they are at. Here is some information about steps you can take to change accountants with minimal disruption to your business’s operations.

1. Know Why You Want to Change Accountants

If you feel dissatisfied with your current accountant but are hesitant about switching, think about the reasons why you are considering a change. Business owners choose to change accountants for many reasons, including poor performance, lack of communication, or failure to provide good advice. Some businesses hesitate to change accountants because of fear. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult to switch to a new accounting firm. Small issues you are currently experiencing with your accountant can grow if you put off changing to a new firm. Understand why you want to switch and move forward with the process. You will likely feel relieved once you do so.

2. Find a New Accountant

Once you understand your reasons for wanting to change accountants, you will want to find a new firm before you end your relationship with your old one. Some of the characteristics you should look for in a new accounting firm include good communication skills, experience in your industry, the right credentials, excellent reviews, and the right types of services for your business.

A good accountant should allow you to contact them as often as you need without charging extra. Quality accountants understand that allowing their clients to ask questions means that they will not have to fix as many things later. Other firms charge clients by the minute for asking questions. Schedule a consultation with a prospective firm to help you determine whether the accountant is a good match for you.

You will also want to find an accountant who has experience working with companies in your industry. This helps you to ensure your regulatory compliance. Working with an accountant who understands your business and your industry also helps them to provide strong business advice.

The firm you choose should also have the right credentials. Look for a firm with accountants who are certified public accountants or enrolled agents. Ask the firm about the continuing education their accountants attend and what they do to remain current with changes in the tax laws.

Looking at reviews of a prospective accountant is also a good idea. However, make sure the reviews you read are authentic by checking whether they are provided by people with real profiles, are specific, and are posted over time instead of bulk reviews that suddenly appear all at once.

Finally, make sure the accounting firm you are considering offers all of the types of accounting services your business needs. If you are outsourcing multiple services, choosing a firm that offers all of them can help to simplify how many companies you have to regularly contact.

3. Notify Your Current Firm

It might be difficult for you to notify your current firm that you are moving on. While it might seem awkward, you still need to have the conversation. Your new accounting firm might assist with the process by helping you choose the service end date with your current firm, settling unpaid bills, and facilitating the exchange of records. Some businesses avoid this step because of its awkwardness, but you must notify your current firm of your planned move to ensure your records are transferred smoothly without any problems for your business.

4. Set Expectations With your New Firm

When you first start working with your new firm, you should make certain your accountant understands your reasons for switching to them and the expectations and goals you have for your business and your partnership. Establishing your goals and expectations at the outset can help to ensure that both you and your accountant will be able to focus on growth opportunities and stability for your company. You should expect to have meetings with your accountant to make sure that you are set up to succeed. Your accountant will want to understand your business completely to help you create a goal plan and establish best practices.

Find an Accountant for My Small Business

While realizing that you need to change accountants might feel intimidating, you should trust your instincts and move forward. Working with an accounting firm that is a better match for your business can make a world of difference in your business’s success and growth. It is not as difficult as you might think to change accounting firms. When you approach the process professionally, it can be fairly smooth. TMD Accounting provides a full menu of services for businesses in numerous industries and can help you determine whether we might be the right fit for you. To learn more about the benefits of switching from your current firm to us, contact us to schedule a consultation at (856) 228-2205.