{"id":20878,"date":"2022-09-29T17:57:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T16:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?p=20878"},"modified":"2026-01-28T06:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T06:22:51","slug":"what-is-professional-clearance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/my-taxscouts-account\/what-is-professional-clearance\/","title":{"rendered":"What is professional clearance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>So, you\u2019re here to find out what professional clearance is. Welcome\ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s your guide to everything you\u2019ll need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Back to basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional clearance is a letter that your new accountant sends your old accountant to ask for information and documents relating to you and your tax matters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It includes a request for your documents and information so they can take over your accounting and tax affairs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-nude m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <h2>What are the steps?<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If everything goes smoothly, it should look a little like this\u2026<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} --><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Let your previous accountant know you\u2019re leaving<\/li>\n<li>Instruct your new accountant<\/li>\n<li>Give your new accountant authority<\/li>\n<li>Check they have sent over a letter of professional clearance<\/li>\n<li>Reply to a disengagement letter if you receive one<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<p>But we know there are hiccups along the way so don\u2019t worry if your process isn\u2019t (or wasn\u2019t) as straightforward. Let\u2019s go through each step in more detail.\ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So long old accountant \ud83d\udc4b<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re ready to leave your accountant, the best practice is to let them know ASAP. Once you\u2019ve decided on leaving, send your accountant written confirmation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s best to keep your relationship as cordial as possible so feel free to give them a ring to talk it over too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tax in 10(ish) seconds - what is a tax accountant?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q_RMGjH0I0k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A disengagement what?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they know you\u2019re planning on leaving, your accountant will send you what\u2019s known as a disengagement letter. It basically outlines the reason for you leaving and if there are any tax matters that you want your old accountant to carry on working on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you\u2019re in the middle of a tax return, it might be easier for your old accountant to finish it off and make the switch to your new accountant for the next tax return.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, you let your old accountant know to finish the tax return but that you\u2019ll no longer be using their services once it\u2019s filed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s the new accountant looking for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The new accountant is making sure that there are no surprises down the line. That includes checking on you, as the client, and also digging into your tax matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the old accountant highlights any dodgy behaviour &#8211; like tax evasion, fraud, deliberately misleading them, etc &#8211; then that might just sway your new accountant\u2019s decision to take you on as a client.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We say might\u2026 but we mean it will and it should.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ll request things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Copies of your accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any tax returns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your tax records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus more. Whatever they feel like they need, they\u2019ll request.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Giving authority to your new accountant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your new accountant will do all the basic checks on you, like anti-money laundering, checking your proof of identity and your business information. They\u2019ll also issue an engagement letter outlining that they\u2019re taking over as your accountant, the agreement you have in place, and any details about the service they provide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pro tip: read it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve officially switched to your new accountant at the end of the process, you need to give them one more authorisation to contact HMRC on your behalf. They\u2019ll usually do it online.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> <!-- .c-body -->\n\n<div class=\"b-highlight-mini m-yellow m-align-left\">\n    <div class=\"b-block-body\">\n        <h2>How long does the process take?<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Switching over accountants generally takes a few weeks.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If there seems to be a delay, speak to that party to try to get to the bottom of the holdup. As a last resort, you can always go through the relevant professional body and make a complaint.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div> <!-- .b-highlight-mini -->\n\n<div class=\"c-body\">\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is my accountant legally required to do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they know you want to leave, they should cooperate and work with your new accountant to pass over any relevant information. Check which professional body your accountant is a part of from the options <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frc.org.uk\/auditors\/professional-oversight\/oversight-of-the-accountancy-profession\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> and take the relevant steps to make sure you\u2019re protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While professional clearance is requested from your new accountant, if they don\u2019t get it from your old one, they can still move forward with you as a client as long as they have the relevant information from you. Some accountants may choose not to go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Instructing Taxfix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to the gang!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re matched with an accredited accountant, they will send you a letter of engagement that includes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/tax-agents-and-advisers-authorising-your-agent-64-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">64-8 form<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 64-8 form gives the accountant authorisation to act on your behalf for your tax affairs. You\u2019re basically giving the accountant permission to work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our accountants don\u2019t need to request professional clearance from your old accountant as you\u2019ll be uploading all the necessary <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/my-taxscouts-account\/self-assessment-tax-return-documents\/\">documents<\/a> directly onto your Taxfix account. Once you log into your account, you just follow the simple steps related to your tax situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What this means is that your Taxfix accountant will get everything they need directly from you. If there\u2019s anything extra they require, they\u2019ll let you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a pretty simple process with us but if you have any questions, speak to our beloved support team at <a href=\"mailto:support@taxfix.com\">support@taxfix.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Think you might need more help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s can be worth seeking professional advice before you instruct an accountant to act on your behalf. That\u2019s where we come in. Our accredited accountants also offer a one-off, 1-1 tax advice for just \u00a3139 so you can be sure you\u2019re making the right move. Plus, they\u2019ll even send you a written summary afterwards. <a href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/tax-advice\/\">Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you\u2019re here to find out what professional clearance is. Welcome\ud83c\udf89 Here\u2019s your guide to everything you\u2019ll need to know. Back to basics Professional clearance is a letter that your new accountant sends your old accountant to ask for information and documents relating to you and your tax matters.&nbsp; It includes a request for your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[470],"tags":[411,415],"class_list":["post-20878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-taxscouts-account","tag-self-employed","tag-tax-return-basics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is professional clearance? &#8211; Taxfix<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Professional clearance is a letter that your new accountant sends your old accountant to ask for information relating to your tax matters.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/my-taxscouts-account\/what-is-professional-clearance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is professional clearance? 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