Leaving a role in public practice, whether from a boutique firm or Big 4, is a significant career step. The accounting profession is relationship-driven, reputation-sensitive, and tightly networked. How you resign can directly impact your future referrals, references, and even client opportunities.
With many accountants moving firms or transitioning into industry roles over time, handling your resignation meeting professionally is not optional, it’s critical.
Here’s a tailored guide to navigating your resignation meeting specifically within public practice.
Why Resignation Meetings Matter in Public Practice
In public practice, your employer is not just your boss, they’re often a partner, mentor, and gatekeeper to a valuable professional network.
A well-handled resignation:
Preserves relationships with partners and directors
Protects your reputation within the local market
Ensures continued access to referees and future opportunities
Minimises disruption to client relationships
Poorly handled exits, on the other hand, can follow you across firms.
Plan Your Timing Around Client Commitments
Timing matters more in public practice than in most industries.
Before resigning, consider:
Upcoming deadlines (BAS, tax season, audit cycles)
Key client deliverables you’re responsible for
Team resourcing pressures
While you’re not obligated to delay your career move indefinitely, being mindful of peak periods demonstrates professionalism and earns respect.
Always review your employment contract for notice periods, these are often more than 4 weeks if you are in senior leadership roles.
Prepare a Professionally Framed Resignation Letter
Your resignation letter should be concise but considered.
Include:
Your final working date
A willingness to support client and workflow transition
A note of appreciation for mentorship and development opportunities
Avoid negativity, even if your experience wasn’t ideal.
Deliver the Message Respectfully (Partner First)
In most firms, your first conversation should be with your direct manager or partner, not HR.
Best practice:
Request a private, face-to-face meeting where possible
Keep the tone professional and calm
Be clear and direct, avoid over-explaining
Avoid resigning via email without a prior conversation. It can be perceived as disrespectful, particularly in partnership-led environments.
Be Ready for Questions (and Stay Diplomatic)
Expect questions such as:
Why are you leaving?
Where are you going?
What would have made you stay?
In public practice, discretion is key. You are not required to disclose your new employer, especially if it’s a competitor.
When answering:
Focus on career progression, specialisation, or new opportunities
Avoid criticising partners, clients, or firm culture
Keep feedback constructive and measured
Example:
“I’m looking to broaden my experience in advisory and felt this role aligned with that direction.”
Understand Restraints and Client Transition Obligations
Public practice roles often include:
Non-compete clauses
Non-solicitation agreements
Confidentiality obligations
Before your meeting, review these carefully.
You may not be able to:
Take clients with you
Contact clients post-departure
Join certain competing firms immediately
Approach your team members to join you at your new firm
During your resignation, be prepared to discuss:
Which clients you currently manage
How those relationships will be transitioned
Documentation and handover requirements
Prepare for a Counteroffer (Common in Public Practice)
Firms often counteroffer to retain experienced staff, particularly at senior and manager level.
This may include:
Salary increases
Promotion pathways
Flexible arrangements
Before your meeting, decide your position.
Ask yourself:
Are you leaving for money, or something deeper (culture, workload, career direction)?
Would a counteroffer genuinely solve the issue?
Accepting a counteroffer in public practice can sometimes impact trust, so be deliberate.
Plan a Structured Client and Workflow Handover
Your departure affects more than your team, it impacts clients directly.
A strong handover should include:
Status updates on all client jobs
Clear documentation of outstanding work
Introductions to new client managers (if appropriate)
Notes on client preferences and risks
Offering to assist in training your replacement or supporting transition conversations adds significant goodwill.
Maintain Relationships - They Matter More Than You Think
The accounting profession in Australia is tightly connected. Today’s manager could be tomorrow’s client, partner, or referral source.
Before leaving:
Thank partners and mentors personally
Connect on LinkedIn
Leave the door open for future collaboration
A strong exit can lead to:
Future job opportunities
Client referrals
Partnership pathways later in your career
Final Thought: Your Reputation Is Your Asset
In public practice, technical skills matter, but reputation carries you further.
A professional, well-managed resignation demonstrates:
Integrity
Commercial awareness
Respect for clients and colleagues
Handle it well, and your exit becomes an investment in your long-term career, not just a departure.
If you would like any further advice or support on your resignation, book a call with Steve Merritt.