Quick answer
A private company appoints its auditor each financial year (Companies Act 2016, s.267). An auditor leaves either by resigning with written notice (s.281) or by removal through an ordinary resolution with special notice at a general meeting (s.276). A tax agent is appointed and changed under the Income Tax Act 1967, not the Companies Act. We prepare the resolutions and handle the SSM and LHDN updates.
Last reviewed： · Reviewed by：ONEKEY BIZ compliance team
01
Overview
Companies change auditor when fees rise, the audit drags past deadlines, or the group wants one firm across its companies. Changing tax agent often follows for the same reasons. The two changes feel similar but sit under different laws.
For the auditor, Section 267 of the Companies Act 2016 requires a private company to appoint an auditor for each financial year, unless it qualifies for audit exemption. If the current auditor agrees to go, they resign by written notice under Section 281. If not, Section 276 allows removal before the end of the term by ordinary resolution at a general meeting, with special notice. Either way a new auditor is appointed and the records reflect the change.
For the tax agent, the appointment is made with LHDN under the Income Tax Act 1967 and is not an SSM matter. The practical risk is timing: a change mid-audit or close to the Form C deadline can push filings late, so we plan the switch around your financial year end.
Who needs this
- Companies unhappy with audit fees or turnaround
- Groups consolidating audit and tax with one firm
- Companies whose auditor or tax agent has ceased practice
- New owners of an acquired company
02
Documents you need to prepare
Auditor change
- Resignation letter from the outgoing auditor, or details of the removal
- Consent letter from the incoming approved company auditor
- Latest audited financial statements and FYE date
Tax agent change
- Company's LHDN tax reference number
- Details of the incoming tax agent
- Status of the current year's tax filings (Form C, CP204)
Company
- Board or shareholders' resolution (we draft it)
- Removal of an auditor needs special notice — build that notice period into your timeline.
- Do not change tax agent days before a filing deadline.
03
How to get it done with ONEKEY BIZ
- 1Timing plan Week 1
We map the change against your FYE, audit and tax deadlines.
- 2Outgoing party Week 1–2
Resignation letter obtained, or removal notice prepared.
- 3Appointment Week 2
Resolution appointing the new auditor; incoming consent collected.
- 4Updates Week 2–3
SSM records updated for the auditor; LHDN updated for the tax agent.
- 5Handover Done
Prior-year working papers and tax files requested for the new firm.
You do
- Choose the new auditor / tax agent
- Sign the resolutions
We do
- Plan the change around your deadlines
- Prepare resignation, removal or appointment documents
- Update SSM and LHDN records
- Coordinate the handover of files
04
What you receive
Appointment of the new auditor recorded in company records.
Documentation of how the outgoing auditor ceased office.
Auditor and tax agent details updated with the right authority.
Audit, circulation and tax filing dates under the new firm.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can we change auditor in the middle of a financial year?
Yes, but the timing affects the audit of that year; plan it before fieldwork starts.
Does the new auditor need to contact the old one?
Professional practice expects the incoming auditor to communicate with the outgoing one before accepting.
Is changing tax agent an SSM filing?
No. A tax agent is appointed and changed with LHDN.