Key Considerations When Changing Auditor
Changing auditors can feel like a significant decision, but it can also open the door to fresh perspectives, enhanced efficiencies, a better experience for your finance team, and a stronger alignment with your future goals.
TIME TO REASSESS YOUR AUDIT RELATIONSHIP?
As we approach the new year, many businesses are reflecting on the year and finalising budgets for the year ahead. One area often overlooked is whether your current audit arrangements are still delivering the value and insight your business needs.
Changing auditors can feel like a significant decision, but it can also open the door to fresh perspectives, enhanced efficiencies, a better experience for your finance team, and a stronger alignment with your future goals.
At Azets Ireland, one of the country’s fastest growing audit firms, our Front Foot Philosophy shapes everything we do — clear communication, early issue identification, and a commitment to delivering exactly as promised. For many CFOs, this approach is the key reason they choose to transition their audit to us.
Taking the time to carefully consider a change now can help your business avoid significant challenges down the line. Below, we’ve highlighted key factors to keep in mind as you assess your options and how our team can support you throughout the process.
WHY COMPANIES DEICDE TO CHANGE AUDITORS
There’s no single answer to this question, as circumstances differ across companies, but our experience shows that clients choose to partner with Azets Ireland for the following key reasons:
- A need for a fresh perspective: New methodologies and technologies can uncover efficiencies and risks your current auditor may miss.
- Team Consistency: Avoiding the frustration of constantly re-explaining your business to rotating staff when really what you need is much greater consistency in personnel.
- Specialised Expertise: As your business grows or diversifies, you will need advisors with access to industry-specific knowledge and resources.
- Cost Control: Audit fees often rise over time, switching can ensure competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
- Strengthening Governance: Long-term relationships can lead to complacency; a change reinforces commitment to governance
- Better Service: If you’ve faced delays, poor communication, or limited advice, faster responses, clearer communication, and more actionable insight will make a huge difference to you.
- No-surprises delivery: A proactive, front-foot audit where issues are surfaced early — not at the eleventh hour!
Ultimately, the question is simple: Is your current auditor helping you stay ahead, or putting you on the back foot?
IF YOU’VE DECIDED TO CHANGE AUDITOR
If you’ve decided it’s time to change auditors, but now you’re wondering how to approach the process. You should expect to have at least one meeting with the prospective firm, allowing them to carefully assess your needs and fully understand your requirements. As part of this, focus on the following key considerations:
Timing: When do you need the audit completed and can they deliver the audit within your required window (not theirs!), without disruption?
Fee: Are expectations aligned and transparent?
The Team: Do they bring the right experience — and do they communicate in a way that works for you?
Transition: Will they take the lead, plan early, and keep you fully updated?
At Azets, we take a structured, front-foot approach to first-year audits — clear timelines, same-day responsiveness, purposeful communication and early engagement with management. This reduces uncertainty and allows your finance team to plan confidently.
LOOKING AHEAD
Making the move to a new auditor is a strategic decision – and when handled properly, it can be smooth, efficient, and highly beneficial. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, our team is ready to help you move forward with confidence.
