5 Signs It’s Time to Switch Accountants

Choosing the right accountant can make or break the success of your business. A proactive, communicative, and knowledgeable accountant can save you money, reduce stress, and help you grow. But what happens when your current accountant isn’t living up to expectations?

Here are five tell-tale signs it might be time to make a switch.

1. Poor Communication

If you find yourself chasing your accountant for answers, updates, or paperwork, that’s a red flag. Accountants should be responsive and available — especially around important deadlines like Self Assessment or VAT returns.

Look out for:

• Slow response times to emails or calls

• Missed meetings or unanswered questions

• No reminders about key deadlines

2. Lack of Proactive Advice

Are you only hearing from your accountant once a year? A great accountant offers year-round support, not just number crunching. You should be receiving insights, updates on new tax rules, and tips to optimise your business finances.

Signs to watch:

• No tax planning suggestions

• No advice about changes in legislation

• Missed opportunities to save

3. Frequent Mistakes or Missed Deadlines

HMRC penalties can quickly add up. If your accountant has made errors in your returns, missed submission dates, or triggered compliance issues, that’s not something to overlook.

Warning signs include:

• Late filings

• Incorrect tax calculations

• Communication from HMRC about issues you weren’t aware of

4. You’ve Outgrown Them

Your business may have grown beyond your accountant’s capabilities. If they can’t offer more advanced support (like management reports, cash flow forecasting, or strategic planning), it may be time to move on.

Common issues:

• They only offer basic compliance (e.g., tax returns, year-end accounts)

• No support with business decisions or funding applications

• Lack of cloud-based solutions or automation

5. They’re Not Tech-Savvy

Modern accountants should be comfortable with cloud accounting platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent. If your accountant still insists on paper records or spreadsheets, that could be slowing you down.

Things to notice:

• No online portal for document sharing

• No digital bookkeeping software support

• Poor understanding of Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements

Thinking of Switching?

If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to explore a better fit.

At Clear Blue Sky Accountancy, we prioritise clear communication, proactive planning, and modern systems to support your growth.

Ready to experience a more supportive service? Get in touch today and let’s talk.