How to change your accountant in Romania (without breaking anything)

The clean handover process: what to request from your old accountant, opening balances, SPV access, and how to avoid gaps in filings.

Last reviewed: 7 August 2026 · Conion, CECCAR member firm

The short answer

To change accountants in Romania: give notice under your current contract, request the standard handover file (trial balance, journals, asset register, payroll data, copies of filed declarations), have the new accountant verify opening balances, transfer SPV and e-Factura access, and start the new monthly workflow. Done in order, there is no gap in your filings.

The handover file — what to request

ItemWhy it matters
Trial balance at the cut-off dateBecomes your opening balances — errors here follow you for years
General ledger / journals for the current yearContinuity of the statutory records
Fixed-asset registerDepreciation must continue correctly
Payroll files and REVISAL exportEmployment history and contributions must stay consistent
Copies of filed declarations + proof of submissionVerifies nothing is missing or late
Contracts, tax registrations, prior control documentsContext the new accountant needs on day one

Step by step

  • 1. Read your current contract: notice period, exit terms, where your documents live.
  • 2. Choose the new firm and agree the takeover date (a month-end).
  • 3. Send the handover request in writing — your new accountant typically drafts it.
  • 4. New accountant verifies opening balances against the last filed statements.
  • 5. Transfer SPV and e-Factura access, and any ANAF power of attorney.
  • 6. First new monthly cycle runs; any historical gaps get a written fix plan.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving without the handover file "to sort out later" — retrieving documents months after the relationship ended is much harder.
  • Accepting opening balances unverified — you inherit someone else's errors silently.
  • Forgetting SPV access — official notices keep arriving where nobody reads them.
  • Switching during a tax inspection — finish or coordinate the inspection first.

Where we fit

We run this exact checklist for international founders — in English, with the old firm chased by us, not by you. See how the takeover service works, the pricing, or start with a confidential review.

Frequently asked questions

Does my old accountant have to cooperate?
Yes. The accounting records belong to your company, not to the accountant, and a professional accountant is obliged to hand them over. In practice a clear written request with a checklist resolves nearly every case.
Is there a penalty or fee for leaving an accountant?
Check your service contract for a notice period (30 days is common). There is no legal penalty for changing providers; any exit fee would have to be in the contract you signed.
Can I switch mid-year?
Yes. Any month-end works if the handover file is complete. Year-end is the tidiest cut, but a bad accounting situation should not wait for December.
What if the old accountant filed things late or wrong?
The takeover review surfaces this: the new accountant compares the trial balance with what was actually filed. Gaps get a written fix plan — better discovered now than during a tax inspection.
Who tells ANAF about the change?
There is no single "change accountant" filing; what changes hands in practice is SPV and e-Factura access plus any power of attorney. Your new accountant handles the access transfer and confirms it works.

Official sources

This guide is general information, verified against official sources at the review date above. It is not tax advice for your specific situation — Romanian tax rules change often. For your company, ask us directly: the first look at your situation is free.