Save money
Switch agents without losing access to your company
A provider relationship may change because of price, service quality or business growth. Before ending it, establish what the provider controls and what the company must continue to maintain. A planned handover can reduce duplicated work and avoid an unnecessary scramble for documents when the next filing becomes due.
Inventory records and permissions
List incorporation documents, tax registrations, filing receipts, accounts, contracts and official correspondence. Record who holds each item and who has access to online systems. Distinguish company-controlled accounts from a provider’s professional filing account; you may need to change an authorisation rather than request another person’s credentials.
Agree a sequence with the new provider
Identify services that must continue without a gap and the dates on which the replacement takes responsibility. Ask who will submit any changes and how acceptance will be confirmed. Provide accurate history so that the incoming adviser does not have to repeat work simply because the previous records are incomplete.
Close the old arrangement cleanly
Check notice periods and outstanding fees. Request a handover list and confirmation of completed transfers. Update recovery contacts where appropriate, withdraw permissions you no longer want and keep copies of the final correspondence. Do not cancel an essential service before confirming the replacement is effective.
Put it into practice
- Collect records before access is removed.
- List all upcoming filing and renewal dates.
- Confirm who will make required changes.
- Check the cost and timing of the handover.
- Verify the new arrangements in the relevant systems.
Your next step
Maintain a company-owned records folder throughout the relationship. The easiest handover is one that does not depend on recovering years of documents at the last minute.
Official sources & scope
Companies House publishes guidance on protecting company information and filing access. Provider-change procedures differ by jurisdiction and must be checked locally.
General planning information. Country-specific rules and individual circumstances need separate verification. Examples are illustrative; no savings or application outcome is guaranteed.