Switching accountants can feel like a hassle — but if you’re not getting the support you need, it’s one of the simplest changes you can make to save time, reduce stress, and stop nasty surprises at year-end.
A good accountant doesn’t just “file things”. They keep you compliant, help you plan ahead, and make sure you actually understand what the numbers are saying — especially now that HMRC’s digital rules are tightening and deadlines don’t get any more forgiving.
If you’re considering a switch, use the 12 questions below. They’re practical, easy to ask, and they’ll quickly show you whether you’re talking to a proactive partner or just a basic box-ticker.
Along the way, you might find it helpful to glance at what a modern firm covers under one roof — for example, Asmat & Co’s Services page gives you a good benchmark for what “full support” can look like.
Before you start: when switching is most (and least) painful
There’s no “perfect” time to switch, but there are times that make life easier.
Easier moments to switch
- Just after your year-end is filed
- Early in a VAT quarter
- When you’ve got clean bookkeeping and reconciled bank accounts
- Before a big change (new payroll, new software, becoming VAT registered, incorporating)
Harder moments to switch (still possible, just plan it)
- 1–4 weeks before the Self Assessment deadline (31 January)
- When VAT returns are overdue
- When your books are behind by months
- Mid-HMRC enquiry (you can still switch — but you need a tidy handover)
If you’re unsure what you need help with first (catching up vs future planning), Asmat’s Help & Resources can give you a sense of the common support areas people ask about.
Question 1: “What do you actually do for clients like me?”
This is the big one. You want them to describe your situation clearly — not waffle.
Ask them to talk through:
- Your business type (sole trader, limited company, partnership, contractor)
- Your typical income/expense pattern
- Any VAT, payroll, CIS, or property income
- Whether you need monthly management insight or just annual compliance
A good accountant will ask you questions back and explain what they’d prioritise in month 1.
If you want a quick reference for different client types, use a page like Who We Help to sanity-check whether a firm genuinely supports your setup.
Question 2: “Will you give me proactive advice, or just react when I ask?”
Plenty of firms will answer questions… eventually… when you chase.
What you really want is someone who:
- flags deadlines early
- explains choices (salary vs dividends, VAT scheme options, tax planning timing)
- spots issues before they become expensive
Even small differences can matter. UK SMEs make up the overwhelming majority of businesses, and most owners don’t have time to “project manage” their accountant — you need a process that’s built to keep you on track.
Asmat positions itself as service-led and proactive (not just compliance), which is the kind of approach you should be looking for when you compare firms.
Question 3: “How quickly do you respond — and is that guaranteed?”
Don’t settle for “we’re usually pretty quick”.
Ask:
- What’s your typical response time?
- Do you have a service standard (and what happens if it’s missed)?
- Can I contact you by email, phone, WhatsApp?
For example, Asmat talks about response expectations and “unlimited” support within their package positioning — that’s the sort of clarity you want to hear from any firm you’re considering.
Question 4: “What is included in your monthly fee — and what costs extra?”
This question protects you from surprise invoices.
Get specifics:
- Are year-end accounts included?
- Is the Corporation Tax return included (if you’re a limited company)?
- Are VAT returns included?
- Is payroll included?
- Are Self Assessments included for directors?
- Is software included?
If someone can’t explain it simply, that’s a red flag.
Question 5: “How will you help me stay compliant with Making Tax Digital?”
Making Tax Digital is not “some future problem” anymore.
MTD for Income Tax starts in phases from 6 April 2026 (depending on qualifying income), and HMRC expects you to use compatible software and submit updates during the year.
Ask the accountant:
- Do you support MTD for Income Tax, not just VAT?
- What software will I need?
- What will I have to do each month/quarter?
- How do you make it simple for me?
If you’re moving to digital bookkeeping (or you’ve already started), a firm that supports cloud reporting and regular check-ins will make MTD far less painful.
Question 6: “What bookkeeping standard do you expect — and will you help me get there?”
You don’t need “perfect” books. You need reliable books.
Ask:
- Do you want weekly/monthly bookkeeping?
- Who does what: you, your team, or the accountant?
- What do you need from me (receipts, invoices, mileage, bank feeds)?
If your bookkeeping is messy, it’s not just annoying — it creates real costs (missed claims, incorrect VAT, late filings, decisions made on dodgy numbers).
If you want an example of how a firm frames bookkeeping support, look at Book Keeping.
Question 7: “Will I get management reports — and will you explain them?”
Year-end accounts are useful, but they’re rear-view mirror stuff.
Management reports help you answer:
- “Am I actually making money?”
- “What’s my cash position in 30–60 days?”
- “Can I afford to hire?”
- “Why is VAT suddenly higher?”
Asmat explicitly mentions monthly/quarterly reporting and using QuickBooks to give clearer insight — that’s the direction you want to be heading in if you’re serious about growth.
If you want to see how reporting is positioned, check Financial Reports.
Question 8: “Which software do you support — and do you set it up properly?”
Software doesn’t fix things by itself. The setup matters.
Ask:
- Do you support QuickBooks (or whatever you use)?
- Will you set up the chart of accounts properly?
- Will you help with bank feeds, rules, VAT settings, and payroll links?
- Will you train me (briefly) so I don’t fear the dashboard?
If you’re a QuickBooks user (or want to be), a page like Quickbooks Accountants is a useful benchmark for the type of practical support you should expect.
Question 9: “How do you handle VAT — and do you help me choose the right scheme?”
VAT is where small mistakes become expensive quickly.
Start with the basics:
- Are you even required to register?
- Are you close to the threshold?
- Which scheme fits your business (standard, flat rate, cash accounting, etc.)?
As of the current guidance, the VAT registration threshold is £90,000 of taxable turnover.
And then ask the real question:
- “Will you review my VAT position proactively — or do you just submit numbers I give you?”
If you’re switching accountants partly because VAT feels confusing, it’s a good sign if they can explain it clearly in plain English — like a normal conversation, not a lecture.
Question 10: “If I have employees, how do you run payroll end-to-end?”
Payroll is one of those things you only notice when it goes wrong.
Ask:
- Do you handle RTI submissions to HM Revenue & Customs?
- Do you issue payslips?
- Do you handle pensions and National Insurance calculations?
- Can you support directors-only payroll as well as staff payroll?
A clear, outsourced process (including filing requirements) is exactly what you should expect from a payroll service.
Question 11: “How will you manage the handover from my current accountant?”
This is the part people worry about — and it’s usually smoother than you think.
A professional handover often includes:
- professional clearance (basic communication between firms)
- transferring key records and prior-year figures
- getting access to bookkeeping software (or moving it properly)
- agent authorisation with HMRC (so your new accountant can deal with filings)
- ensuring deadlines are diarised and not missed mid-switch
Asmat specifically notes they can contact your previous accountant on your behalf to make the change more hassle-free — and that’s the tone you should expect: you stay focused on running the business while they do the admin.
Question 12: “What would make you tell me I’m not a good fit?”
This is an underrated question — and the answer tells you a lot.
A good accountant will be honest about fit. For example:
- You want daily hand-holding, but their model is monthly/quarterly
- You need complex international tax, but they’re UK-focused
- You expect advice without keeping records, and they need you to meet them halfway
If someone says “we can do everything for everyone”, be cautious. You want confidence, not sales talk.
A quick “good sign / bad sign” checklist
Good signs
- They ask about your goals, not just last year’s figures
- Pricing is clear and itemised
- They talk about processes (how work flows month-to-month)
- They’re comfortable with digital compliance and software
- They can explain tax and VAT without jargon
Bad signs
- Vague pricing (“it depends…” with no structure)
- Slow replies and no service standard
- They don’t mention MTD or treat it like an afterthought
- They criticise your current accountant without understanding the facts
- They make switching sound scary (it usually isn’t)
If you’re ready to switch, here’s a simple next step
If you want a straightforward, stress-free switch — with clear pricing, modern bookkeeping support, and proactive guidance — start by checking Asmat’s About Us and then book a quick conversation via Contact Us.
You’ll get clarity on what you need, what’s included, and how the handover would work — so you can stop worrying about the numbers and get back to running the business.
