By Gideon Schulman
Ask someone why they haven’t changed their accountant, and you’ll often hear the same response:
“We’re happy with them.”
Or perhaps more telling:
“It’s easier not to.”
But here’s the question we don’t ask enough:
Should we be so passive about the people who hold such power over our finances, our compliance, and our peace of mind?
Because an accountant doesn’t just ‘do the books.’ They see everything. And when done right, they influence everything, from risk management to tax efficiency, from business structure to ethical integrity.
Comfortable ≠ Effective
Most of us stick with the same accountant year after year not because they’re exceptional but because they’re familiar. There’s a reluctance to start again, explain things anew, or risk upsetting the apple cart. And to be clear, loyalty is no bad thing.
But when loyalty slides into passivity, you risk letting outdated habits or average advice govern your future.
Why Staying Put Can Be Risky
1. Lack of fresh thinking
If you’ve had the same accountant for 10 years and they’re still offering the same solutions, that’s not loyalty—it’s stagnation.
2. Complacency creeps in
Familiarity can breed laziness on both sides. Queries go unchallenged. Returns are rubber-stamped. No one’s really looking under the bonnet anymore.
3. Misaligned values
Have your priorities evolved? Are you now more impact-driven, more transparent, more ethically cautious? Is your accountant on that journey with you?
4. Power imbalance
When you’ve been with someone so long, it can be hard to challenge their advice—even when it no longer feels quite right. That’s not partnership. That’s dependency.
Questions Worth Asking
If any of the following give you pause, it might be time to review:
- When was the last time my accountant suggested something new, before I asked for it?
- Do I feel confident questioning their recommendations without feeling naïve or awkward?
- Have I ever benchmarked their fees, service, or specialisms against others?
- Do they understand me, my sector, my values, my goals, or are they just filling in boxes?
Why the Emotional Barrier is So High
We form quiet dependencies on our accountants. They hold the keys to systems we don’t fully understand. They use language we sometimes feel embarrassed to admit we don’t grasp. So, we nod, trust, sign.
But empowerment in leadership whether in business, the charity sector, or personal finance, means asking the difficult question:
“Is this relationship still serving me? Or am I just used to it?”
What a Change Process Could Look Like (and Why It’s Not as Painful as You Think)
Changing accountants doesn’t have to be a dramatic rupture. It can be structured, professional, and empowering:
- Define your needs; compliance? strategy? tax? governance? sector expertise?
- Get referrals and compare; don’t just ask about cost, ask about mindset.
- Be transparent; explain to your existing accountant that you’re reviewing your arrangements.
- Assess how they respond; do they try to re-engage with insight, or do they get defensive?
- Document everything; ensure a clear, ethical handover with no disruption to compliance.
You wouldn’t keep a lawyer, supplier, or staff member who was just “fine.” Why make an exception for your accountant?
Final Word
Being “happy enough” is not a strategy.
It’s not governance.
And it’s certainly not stewardship.
When it comes to the professionals who manage your money, influence your financial decisions, and help protect your reputation, you deserve more than familiarity. You deserve excellence, integrity, and alignment.
Don’t be afraid to ask:
“Is this still the right fit?”
Because money matters—and so does the person helping you manage it.
About the author
Gideon Schulman
Chief Strategy Officer
Former International HR Director, who has vast experience with HR policies and compliance. Specialises in making sure we follow all current and pending legislation and plan a strategic oversight of the organisation.
Ask someone why they haven’t changed their accountant, and you’ll often hear the same response:
“We’re happy with them.”
Or perhaps more telling:
“It’s easier not to.”
But here’s the question we don’t ask enough:
Should we be so passive about the people who hold such power over our finances, our compliance, and our peace of mind?
Because an accountant doesn’t just ‘do the books.’ They see everything. And when done right, they influence everything, from risk management to tax efficiency, from business structure to ethical integrity.
Comfortable ≠ Effective
Most of us stick with the same accountant year after year not because they’re exceptional but because they’re familiar. There’s a reluctance to start again, explain things anew, or risk upsetting the apple cart. And to be clear, loyalty is no bad thing.
But when loyalty slides into passivity, you risk letting outdated habits or average advice govern your future.
Why Staying Put Can Be Risky
1. Lack of fresh thinking
If you’ve had the same accountant for 10 years and they’re still offering the same solutions, that’s not loyalty—it’s stagnation.
2. Complacency creeps in
Familiarity can breed laziness on both sides. Queries go unchallenged. Returns are rubber-stamped. No one’s really looking under the bonnet anymore.
3. Misaligned values
Have your priorities evolved? Are you now more impact-driven, more transparent, more ethically cautious? Is your accountant on that journey with you?
4. Power imbalance
When you’ve been with someone so long, it can be hard to challenge their advice—even when it no longer feels quite right. That’s not partnership. That’s dependency.
Questions Worth Asking
If any of the following give you pause, it might be time to review:
- When was the last time my accountant suggested something new, before I asked for it?
- Do I feel confident questioning their recommendations without feeling naïve or awkward?
- Have I ever benchmarked their fees, service, or specialisms against others?
- Do they understand me, my sector, my values, my goals, or are they just filling in boxes?
Why the Emotional Barrier is So High
We form quiet dependencies on our accountants. They hold the keys to systems we don’t fully understand. They use language we sometimes feel embarrassed to admit we don’t grasp. So, we nod, trust, sign.
But empowerment in leadership whether in business, the charity sector, or personal finance, means asking the difficult question:
“Is this relationship still serving me? Or am I just used to it?”
What a Change Process Could Look Like (and Why It’s Not as Painful as You Think)
Changing accountants doesn’t have to be a dramatic rupture. It can be structured, professional, and empowering:
- Define your needs; compliance? strategy? tax? governance? sector expertise?
- Get referrals and compare; don’t just ask about cost, ask about mindset.
- Be transparent; explain to your existing accountant that you’re reviewing your arrangements.
- Assess how they respond; do they try to re-engage with insight, or do they get defensive?
- Document everything; ensure a clear, ethical handover with no disruption to compliance.
You wouldn’t keep a lawyer, supplier, or staff member who was just “fine.” Why make an exception for your accountant?
Final Word
Being “happy enough” is not a strategy.
It’s not governance.
And it’s certainly not stewardship.
When it comes to the professionals who manage your money, influence your financial decisions, and help protect your reputation, you deserve more than familiarity. You deserve excellence, integrity, and alignment.
Don’t be afraid to ask:
“Is this still the right fit?”
Because money matters—and so does the person helping you manage it.
About the author
Gideon Schulman
Chief Strategy Officer
Former International HR Director, who has vast experience with HR policies and compliance. Specialises in making sure we follow all current and pending legislation and plan a strategic oversight of the organisation.
