Approve the new engagement and target date
You appoint Karpeo and formalise the end of the current engagement according to the terms agreed with your existing firm.
Change of accounting firm · Geneva
Change accounting firms without managing the handover yourself.
Karpeo coordinates with your current accounting firm, collects the accounting records, checks the balances and prepares the continuity of your obligations. You make the decision; we manage the technical handover.
One named contactKarpeo follows the request through to the start
Balances reviewedrecords are not carried forward blindly
Clear scopethe handover is separated from correction work
Who does what?
You decide to change. Karpeo organises the transition.
You do not need to become the technical intermediary between two firms. We prepare the request, follow the transfer and involve you only when a decision or document genuinely depends on you.
Make contact and manage the handover
With your authorisation, we liaise directly with the outgoing firm and centralise the technical questions.
Check before taking over
We reconcile the records received, identify open matters and define any corrections required before ongoing work continues.
Know the schedule and responsibilities
You receive a clear update on what has been transferred, what remains outstanding and when Karpeo assumes each obligation.
The Karpeo process
From the first discussion to ongoing accounting.
We adapt the sequence to your company’s deadlines. An imminent VAT return, a year-end closing in progress or a software change may alter the schedule without making the handover unclear.
We agree a clear handover date
We review your current organisation, software, upcoming deadlines and the last finalised accounting period. This establishes which firm handles each period and prevents gaps or duplicated work.
We contact your current accounting firm
Once you authorise us, Karpeo sends a structured request to your former adviser. You remain informed without having to translate technical requirements from one firm to the other.
We collect the file and usable exports
Trial balance, general ledger, open items, returns, histories and documents are transferred according to the agreed scope. We also check access rights and the format of the data received.
We check balances and work in progress
Opening balances, reconciliations, open items and forthcoming obligations are reviewed before integration. We explain any inconsistency or missing information rather than carrying it forward silently.
Ongoing work resumes with a named contact
We establish the document flow, schedule and responsibilities. From the first day, you know who manages the engagement and how to raise questions.
Records transferred
A complete accounting file, not merely an opening balance.
The exact list depends on your legal form, services and software. Karpeo requests the information needed for continuity and records which items are still outstanding.
- Trial balance and general ledgerDated accounting records, the chart of accounts and the entries behind each balance.
- Customers and suppliersOpen receivables, payables and transactions that still need to be matched or clarified.
- Banks and cashBank reconciliations, cash accounts, cards and other payment accounts.
- VAT and taxationFiled VAT returns, supporting records, tax returns and correspondence still in progress.
- Payroll and social insurancePayroll history, salary certificates, reconciliations and information needed for continuity.
- Annual accounts and standing dataYear-end files, fixed assets, loans, contracts and information carried from one year to the next.
- Accounting software exportsAccounting files or access needed for a usable and verifiable migration.
- Documents and archivesSupporting documents covered by the engagement, with a clear list of items still outstanding.
Two different situations
Changing accounting firms does not necessarily mean catching up overdue accounts.
The initial review keeps a normal handover separate from any reconstruction work. You know what belongs to the future engagement and what needs to be regularised separately.
The accounts are up to date and the records are available
We check the balances, transfer the relevant information and maintain continuity from the agreed date.
Explore our accounting servicePeriods, documents or obligations need to be reconstructed
We identify the backlog, priorities and corrections, then provide a separate scope and quote before starting the additional work.
View accounting catch-upChoosing the date
A mid-year handover works when the cut-off date is precise.
Waiting until year-end is not always necessary. The essential point is to decide which firm handles the last period, who prepares the next filing and which work remains open on the handover date.
We also consider your engagement terms, agreed notice, outstanding invoices and the access that should remain available during the transition. Close deadlines are placed at the top of the schedule.
A professionally supervised handover
Named Swiss certified accountants behind the transition.
Moving files is only part of the work. The accounts, responsibilities and next obligations must be understood by the team taking over. At Karpeo, accountants manage the transition under the supervision of Swiss certified accountants.
Frequently asked questions
Before changing accounting firms.
Practical answers about timing, records and continuity.
Can I change accounting firms during the financial year?
Yes. A handover can be organised during the financial year. We agree a cut-off date, confirm which firm handles each period and consider upcoming VAT, payroll, tax and year-end deadlines. Before confirming the date, you should also review the termination provisions in your current engagement.
Do I have to contact my former accounting firm myself?
You remain the decision-maker and formalise the end of the engagement according to the terms agreed with your current firm. Once you authorise us to act, Karpeo can manage the technical discussions, send the required data list and follow up on outstanding items.
What do you request from the former accounting firm?
The request depends on your engagement. It usually covers the trial balance, general ledger, open customer and supplier items, bank reconciliations, VAT returns, payroll records, annual accounts, tax returns, fixed-asset register and an export from the accounting software.
Do I need to change accounting software?
Not necessarily. We first assess whether the data can be transferred reliably and whether the current software suits the future process. If a migration is useful, we define which data to export, the switch date and the checks required before the old access is closed.
What happens if the transferred accounts contain errors?
We distinguish points that can be clarified during the normal handover from corrections requiring additional work. We show you the inconsistencies, missing documents and affected periods before proposing any extra work. A standard handover is not treated as a catch-up assignment without prior explanation.
What is the difference between changing accounting firms and catching up overdue accounts?
A change of accounting firm maintains continuity for records that are up to date or sufficiently documented. Catch-up work is required when months or financial years have not been recorded, obligations are overdue or data must be reconstructed. The initial review separates these two scopes.
How long does a change of accounting firm take?
The timing depends on the size of the file, software, availability of exports, unresolved matters and upcoming deadlines. After the initial review, we agree a realistic schedule and handover date. We do not promise a standard timeframe before seeing the available information.
Can Karpeo take over accounting only, or VAT and payroll as well?
The scope is flexible. Karpeo can take over accounting only or include VAT, payroll, social insurance, taxation and reporting. Before the start, we specify what remains in-house, with another provider or with our team.
Prepare your change of accounting firm
Receive an initial assessment and a realistic handover date.
Tell us your legal form, software, last completed period and next deadlines. We will explain what information to collect and how Karpeo can take over the engagement.