If you’ve been stuck with slow replies, surprise bills and “after-the-fact” advice, this is what a good first 90 days actually looks like, compared with the old experience most owners describe.
Related reads: start with Changing accountants in the UK (2025/26), check costs in How much it costs to change accountants, and keep our Switching Accountant: 14-Point Checklist (PDF) handy to smooth the handover.
The first 90 days at a glance
| Area | Old experience | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness | 3–5 day replies; you chase | Same/next-day replies; named contact, agreed SLA |
| Kick-off | Vague scope; ad-hoc emails | Clear engagement + kickoff call with a week-by-week plan |
| Handover | You forward bits piecemeal | We run the professional enquiry and request reasonable transfer information from the outgoing firm; you see a simple checklist |
| HMRC access | You’re asked for logins (risky) | Formal agent authorisations for SA/CT/PAYE/VAT/CIS; VAT via digital handshake link (no passwords shared). GOV.UK |
| Deadlines | Calendar lives in your head | PAYE by the 22nd (electronic); VAT one month + 7 days, mapped and monitored from day 1. GOV.UK |
| Bookkeeping | Backlog; unclear reconciliations | Bank feeds tidy, evidence attached, opening balances reconciled |
| Payroll (RTI) | “We’ll file later” | FPS on or before payday; EPS by the 19th when needed. GOV.UK |
| Month-end | Numbers arrive weeks late | 5-day close target; exceptions list agreed and cleared |
| Forecasting | None / spreadsheet snapshots | 52-week rolling forecast live in week 4–6 (cash, VAT, PAYE, CT) |
| Advisory cadence | Reactive | Monthly/quarterly reviews booked upfront |
| Year-end tasks | Panic season | P60s by 31 May; P11D returns by 6 July; Class 1A NIC by 22 July. GOV.UK |
The 30-60-90 day plan (what we actually do)
Days 0–30: Stabilise and secure
- Kickoff & scope lock-in. You get a simple timeline and who-does-what.
- Professional enquiry (clearance). We contact the old firm and request the right pack (signed accounts, detailed TB, FAR, VAT workings, payroll YTD/RTI, CIS, year-end papers).
- Agent authorisations. We request access for each tax; VAT via digital handshake so you never share logins. GOV.UK
- Deadline calendar. PAYE payment by the 22nd each month; VAT return & payment one month + 7 days after period end. We put these in your dashboard on day 1. GOV.UK
- Payroll compliance. We file the FPS on or before payday; if there are statutory adjustments, we send the EPS by the 19th of the following tax month. GOV.UK
- Opening balances. Reconcile brought-forwards and document issues to clear in month 2.
If costs are on your mind, read: How much it costs to change accountants (what’s included vs billable clean-up).
Days 31–60: Clean and clarify
- Month-end rhythm. 5-day close: bank, VAT control, payroll journals, aged AR/AP review.
- VAT readiness. Returns aligned to the official timetable (one month + 7 days). GOV.UK
- Management view. Light monthly pack (P&L, cash movement, debtor/creditor lists, exceptions).
- Forecast online. Switch on your 52-week forecast so VAT, PAYE, payroll and CT are visible 4–6 weeks ahead.
If you’re choosing providers now, see: How to choose an accountant (reviews, red flags, and the right discovery-call questions).
Days 61–90: Improve and embed
- Quarterly review cadence. Agree who attends and the agenda (cash, margin, pipeline).
- Year-end guardrails. Make dates visible: P60s by 31 May; P11D returns by 6 July; Class 1A NIC by 22 July (electronic). GOV.UK
- KPI dashboard. Debtor days, gross margin, payroll %, and 13-week cash runway inside your 52-week forecast (no extra spreadsheets).
- Roadmap. Agree the next two improvements (e.g., payment terms, credit control, stock, WIP).
To see how “best” firms operate, read: Best-in-class accountants for growing service businesses.
What changes for you (the owner)
- Less chasing. You have one named contact and a response SLA.
- No deadline anxiety. PAYE/VAT dates live in your calendar and dashboard from day 1 (PAYE 22nd; VAT one month + 7 days). GOV.UK
- Better payroll hygiene. RTI is timely (FPS on/before payday), so HMRC’s records stay in sync. GOV.UK
- Forward visibility. Your 52-week forecast shows pinch points before they bite, with actions agreed in the review.
Mini FAQs
Do things fall through the cracks when I switch accountants?
No. We map PAYE and VAT dates on day one, set reminders, and file payroll on time. You shouldn’t miss anything.
Do I have to tell HMRC I’ve changed accountant?
We handle new agent authorisations for each tax. If you want, you can remove the old agent in your HMRC account too.
Why do you keep mentioning a 52-week forecast?
Because it shows cash, VAT and payroll pinch points weeks in advance, so you can make decisions early, not after a problem hits.
What happens in the first month?
Kick-off call, data from the old firm, HMRC access set up, deadlines mapped, opening balances reconciled.
When will I start seeing better information?
Usually within 30–60 days: tidy bookkeeping, a 5-day month-end rhythm, and a light monthly pack.
What’s different by day 90?
You’ll have a review cadence in the diary, clean reconciliations, and a live 52-week forecast guiding decisions.
What if the old firm is slow to respond?
We keep moving with the records you already have and follow up for the rest. You shouldn’t be stuck in the middle.
Do I need to share my logins?
No. We use HMRC’s official agent authorisations (and VAT’s digital handshake). No password sharing.
What to do next
- Download the Switching Accountant: 14-Point Checklist (PDF).
- See How much it costs to change accountants if you want ranges and what triggers clean-up.
- Book a 20-minute planning call, we’ll map your 90-day plan and switch on your 52-week forecast.