Professional Clearance Reply Letter

The outgoing adviser’s reply to a professional enquiry – with alternative wording for clear, qualified or limited replies, handover information, fees and records.

Editable Word document
5
10pages
Guidance notes included
aml consultancy solutions

Accountancy practice – compliance & management

Professional Clearance Reply Letter

About this document

What it’s for

A reply to a professional clearance request from a new accountant who has been asked to take over a client. It confirms whether there are any professional reasons why they should not act, sets out the handover information you are providing, explains the position on fees and records, and confirms when your agent authorisations and services end.

When to use it

  • When you receive a professional enquiry about a client who is leaving you
  • With the client’s written authority to discuss their affairs
  • After checking with your MLRO whether there is anything that affects what you can say

What’s inside

The document is laid out in the sections below. Each one comes with a plain-English guidance note explaining what it does and what to change.

  • Professional enquiry
  • Status of work
  • Handover information
  • Fees
  • Agent authorisations and services ending

How to complete it

  • Speak to your MLRO first – this is essential if any internal report has been made about the client
  • Choose Option A, B or C for the professional enquiry section and delete the others
  • Complete the handover schedule and the deadlines table
  • Reply promptly – usually within 14 days, sooner if a deadline is close

Key points to check

  • Never disclose that a money laundering report has been made – that could be tipping off
  • Do not withhold information the client is entitled to simply because fees are unpaid; take advice before relying on a lien

Our templates are professionally structured starting points for UK businesses, not legal advice. For anything complex, unusual or high-value, have your final version checked by a solicitor.

Included in the pack

Accountancy practice – compliance & management

£20

for every document in this category

Editable Microsoft Word files

Guidance notes in every document

Written for UK businesses

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