My accountancy firm was bought by a group

How common this is

Companies House ownership records show 776 of 54,295 trading UK accountancy companies with a company owner that is listed as controlling 3 or more companies on our list. 193 owners fall into that group. We count only the owner listed directly, so groups are undercounted. The largest, by number of companies owned, are Xeinadin Group Limited (115) and TC Group Holdings Limited (54). See the full figures and how we counted.

You can check who owns your accountant's firm by searching for it in our directory.

What may change

• Your contact. The partner you dealt with may stay for a time, then retire or move to another role.
• Fees and how they are charged. Some groups move clients to standard price lists or monthly fees.
• Software. You may be asked to move to the group's accounting software.
• Who does the work. Some work may move to a central team or another office.
• The services on offer. A group may offer more, such as payroll, tax advice or finance director support.
• Your engagement letter. You may be sent new terms to sign.

Questions to ask your accountant

1. Who will be my main contact, and for how long?
2. Will my fees change, and when?
3. Will the work be done by the same people, or by a different team?
4. Will I need to change software?
5. Are the terms of my engagement letter changing? Please send me the new terms before I sign.
6. What services can you now offer that you could not before?

Your options

Stay as you are

If the answers are fine and the service stays good, there may be no reason to move. Check again if anything changes.

Stay and ask for more

If the group offers services your old firm did not, such as monthly management accounts, you could ask about them. The people doing the work may not be the ones you know.

Move to another firm

You can choose to change accountant, subject to any notice period or other terms in your engagement letter. If your new accountant belongs to a professional body, they will usually contact your old one before taking you on. People often call this "professional clearance", but the ICAEW says the old accountant cannot give or refuse permission for you to move.² ACCA members must give the new accountant the last approved accounts and a detailed trial balance promptly and free of charge.³ Our guide How changing accountant works goes through the steps.

Not sure if it still fits?

Our form compares what you tell us you receive with what businesses of a similar size often have. If you name your accountant, it also shows who owns their firm.

Check whether it's time to change accountant →