I know this is abit of an odd request, one of my clients wants to change accountants, there is nothing wrong with his accountant, he has done a good job, but due to the recession hitting very hard my clients has told me he wishes to change and find someone who is abit cheaper. I have made a couple of enquiries to accountants I know and he has decided which one to use, so no probs there. He wants to write a letter to his accountant explaining the situation but doesn't know where to start, and to be honest nor do I. So my question is does anyone have any standard letters that they use when their clients are terminating their agreement with the accountant. I am more than happy to help him out and write the letter for him and just get him to sign it ,as due to his job he isn't at home in the daytime and its easier for me to do the paperwork for him.
Hope that all makes sense. My email add is below if anyone has got a sample letter that I could alter and use.
elly422@ntlworld.com Many thanks,
-- Edited by Amanda on Friday 19th of November 2010 03:09:23 PM
Usually when a client changes his accountant, he would just write a letter stating that he is transferring his affairs to "new accountant" with immediate affect and say that he gives authority for the old accountant to release information to the new one and that they will be in touch shortly. Obviously this can be padded out saying thanks for past service and also giving a reason for moving.
In some cases I have dealt with in practice, we didnt even know the client was moving, just had a letter from the new accountant.
The accountant wont be offended and may try to offer him a cheaper service.
The new accountant would then write to the old one asking for clearance to act ie making sure everything is in order and no outstanding fee's etc.. and request the relevant information required such as workings, past accounts, copy of last tax return and tax bills etc...
One thing I would say is did your client try to negotiate a lower fee?
Hi James, I'm nbot ICB I'm part-qual AAT, and OCR quite a few years ago. Can I call ICB even though I am not a member?
Paul,
I think he had a word with the accountant a few months ago and got a rough estimate of the cost for this year but everyone is feeling the pinch at the mo and he told me he wanted to change. The costs of local accountants do vary somewhat which is quite suprising.
He wants to inform them himself first as hes always got on with them its just their cost, so I will email him a few pointers and he can go from there.
You mentioned your a part qual AAT, have you checked the MIP's area of the AAT site? They used to have templates there e.g letters of engagement, so it's possible there's something you can use.
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Tony
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