When Should You Switch Accountants?

If your accountant disappeared tomorrow, would you panic… or feel relieved?

Be honest – are they actually helping you grow, or just filing paperwork and sending invoices? If you’re always chasing them, dreading tax season, or wondering what you’re paying for, it’s time to rethink the relationship.

Here’s how to spot the red flags before they cost you more than just frustration.

1. You’re Always the One Chasing Them

You fire off an email. Days go by. Nothing. Another nudge. Still nothing. When they do finally respond, it’s either too late to be useful or so vague it leaves you with more questions.

A great accountant doesn’t go missing when you need them. They’re proactive, keeping you ahead of deadlines – not ghosting you until the last minute.

👉 See how Xolve keeps you ahead of deadlines

2. They Speak in Jargon

If every conversation feels like a foreign language class, that’s a problem.

You shouldn’t need a dictionary to understand your own finances. A solid accountant makes things simple, clear and – dare we say it – easy. If they can’t explain things in plain English, they don’t understand them well enough themselves.

👉 We ditch the jargon – here’s how we work

3. You’re Getting Hit with Unexpected Bills

Ever opened an invoice and thought, What am I actually paying for?

If your accountant keeps sneaking in ‘extras’ you never agreed to, that’s a trust issue. Transparent pricing should be a given – not a guessing game.

👉 Discover our simple monthly pricing

4. They Don’t Understand (or Care About) Your Business

You’re not a number on a spreadsheet. Your accountant should get what you do, why you do it and how to help you make more money doing it.

If their advice feels copy-pasted from someone else’s business, they’re not paying attention.

👉 We tailor our support to your business goals

5. They’re Stuck in the Past

Still using spreadsheets? Manually tracking expenses? Printing invoices like it’s 1999?

Modern accounting is automated, streamlined and built to save you time. If your accountant is still buried in paperwork, you’re missing out on real-time insights that could transform your cash flow.

👉 Explore our services
👉 Or see how Making Tax Digital affects your business

6. They Only Show Up at Tax Time

A once-a-year accountant is like a fair-weather friend – nice to have around, but useless when things get tough.

A great accountant helps you stay on top of cash flow, avoid financial pitfalls and plan for growth. If they only show up when there’s a deadline, they’re just filing forms – not actually supporting your business.

👉 Find out more about how we help you stay in control

7. You’re Not Getting Straight Answers

Vague responses. Unclear advice. A never-ending game of email tennis.

Your accountant should be a financial partner, not a puzzle to solve. If you’re constantly left guessing, it’s time to work with someone who actually helps.

👉 Here’s what stress-free support really looks like

Time for an Upgrade?

At Xolve, we do things differently. No jargon. No chasing. No unexpected bills. Just straight-talking, stress-free accounting that actually helps your business grow.

Thinking of switching? 👉 Get in touch or hit get started to take the first step toward better bookkeeping.