The Best Time to Switch Bookkeepers Is Not April. Here’s Why.

Most people assume April, the start of the new tax year, is the ideal time to switch bookkeepers.

Technically? Sure. But if you’re a busy business owner juggling receipts, reconciling accounts and still waiting on your year-end figures… April is probably the worst time to make a big change.

In this post, we’ll walk you through:

• When is it really the best time to switch?

• Why May is the most realistic moment to make your move

• And why, if your bookkeeping is not working, ANY TIME is the right time to change

Let’s break it down.

Can I Switch Bookkeepers Mid-Year?

Yes, you absolutely can!

There’s a common (and understandable) myth that you’re locked in with a bookkeeper until the end of the tax year. That’s not true.

Here’s what to know:

• Your data belongs to you. Even if your current bookkeeper set up your accounting software, you have the right to access your records and take them with you.
  

• Cloud software is portable. Whether you use Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or another platform, switching access is straightforward and there's no need to start from scratch.
  

• Most providers expect some client turnover. If you’re unhappy, it’s not a dramatic move, it’s a sensible business decision.
  

You’re not tied down. You don’t have to “wait it out” or suffer in silence until April rolls around again. If your current setup isn’t serving you, you can, and should, change providers whenever it feels right.

When Is the Best Time to Switch Bookkeepers in the UK?

Let’s be honest.

The ideal time, on paper, is before the end of the tax year.

If you switch in March (or earlier), your new bookkeeper can:

• Start the new tax year with a clean slate

• Handle your books from 6 April onwards without any handover mess

• Avoid needing to fix or review someone else’s work from the start

It’s a neat, efficient transition, especially if the previous year’s accounts are already in good shape.

But here’s the reality: Almost no one has the headspace for that in March or April. Business owners are scrambling to finalise paperwork, meet HMRC deadlines, chase payroll reports, and just get through year-end without pulling their hair out.

And if your current bookkeeper isn’t giving you clear timelines or proactive help, the thought of switching during that chaos is enough to make anyone delay.

Why May Is a Smarter Time to Switch Bookkeepers

Here’s why May is the real sweet spot for most business owners:

✅ April chaos is over

By the time May rolls around, the dust has settled. The mad rush to close out the year is behind you, and you can finally breathe and think.

This breathing room gives you a chance to take stock. How did your last bookkeeper perform? Are you confident in your numbers? Or are you still chasing answers, weeks after the year ended?

✅ It still gives you a nearly clean year

Switching in May means your new provider can still take over early in the tax year. Yes, they may need to review April’s records, but it’s far better than switching halfway through the year or right before a deadline.

It also means they can help you get set up properly for the rest of the year, before the next VAT return is due, or before your next payment on account in July.

✅ It gives you breathing space to plan

In May, you’re not trying to rush through paperwork or avoid penalties. You’ve got time to reflect and make informed decisions, not knee-jerk ones.

You can book a proper consultation. Ask questions. Get clarity. And most importantly, make the change before things get messy again.

✅ It beats waiting until January

Every year, we hear from clients who want to change bookkeepers in January, right before the Self-Assessment deadline.

By then, it’s almost too late. You’re locked into survival mode, trying to submit accounts rather than fix what’s broken. Making the switch in May gives you time to reset and avoid starting the new year with the same old problems.

🚩 Signs It’s Time to Switch Bookkeepers: No Matter What Month It Is

Sometimes, the calendar doesn’t matter. What matters is how your bookkeeping makes you feel.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s probably time to make a change:

• You’re chasing updates, you send emails and get silence. Or worse, vague replies that don’t actually tell you anything.

• You’re unclear about your cash position. You don’t know what’s coming in, what’s going out, or what your tax bill might be.

• You’re doing too much yourself. You’re paying someone, but still manually uploading receipts or reconciling bank statements alone.

• You only hear from them at year-end. No reminders, no check-ins, no guidance during the year.

• You’ve outgrown them. Your business has evolved, but their service hasn’t.

• You’re not sure if anything’s being done properly. You’re getting anxious every time a deadline approaches.

These aren’t just annoyances, they’re risks. Because bad bookkeeping doesn’t just waste time, it can cost you real money, missed deadlines and HMRC penalties.

How to Switch Bookkeepers Without Messing Up Your Accounts

Switching doesn’t need to be dramatic or disruptive, but it does need to be done properly.

Here’s how the process usually works:

1. Give notice

Let your current bookkeeper know you’re moving on. A simple written email is enough; keep it polite and professional.

2. Request a handover

Ask your old bookkeeper to prepare a professional handover.

You don’t need to worry about chasing down every document or remembering every login, your bookkeeper will know exactly what needs to be passed on.

At Strive, we manage this for you. We’ll handle all the back-and-forth, make sure nothing important is missed, and ensure a smooth transition from start to finish, without putting extra admin on your plate.

3. Check your software access

If you’re using cloud software like Xero or QuickBooks, you’ll want to make sure you have full access, ideally as the primary user or account owner.

But again, don’t stress if you’re unsure, we’ll help you check your access and sort out any changes if needed. This kind of thing is a quick fix when you’ve got someone guiding you.

4. Let your new bookkeeper handle the rest

Once you’ve decided to switch, you shouldn’t have to play middleman.

At Strive, we take care of the transition on your behalf. We’ll contact your outgoing bookkeeper, request everything we need, and keep you updated without dragging you into the details.

That way, you stay focused on running your business, not running around after your old provider.

5. Keep things ticking over during the switch

It’s totally normal to worry about gaps or downtime during the switch, but you won’t need to pause anything.

We’ll make sure there’s no break in your record-keeping or reporting. You just keep running your business as usual, and we’ll pick things up and carry them forward without missing a beat.

So… When Should You Switch Bookkeepers?

Let’s cut through the noise:

The best time to switch is when your current provider isn’t delivering.

If your books are a mess, if you’re chasing emails, or if you’re paying for a service you’re barely receiving, it’s time.

Yes, switching at year-end might be cleanest.

Yes, switching in May might be most realistic.

But switching when you need to is what really matters.

And when you switch to someone who knows how to handle it properly, that “scary” transition turns into a fresh start, with better systems, better support and more confidence in your numbers.

📣 Ready to Make the Switch?

Whether it’s May, September, or the week after a stressful VAT return, if your bookkeeping isn’t working for you, the right time to change is before it costs you another year of stress, missed deadlines or wasted money.

Strive makes the switch simple. We’ll handle the handover, clean up what’s been left behind, and give you clear, proactive support that actually helps you grow.

👉 Ready for a fresh start? Get in touch today and let’s talk.