Can Reassign Ownership be used to just update Contact Owners to match the Account Owner?

QUESTION:

Can Reassign Ownership be used to just update Contact Owners to match the Account Owner?

ANSWER:

Yes, this can be done easily with Reassign Ownership using the "Current Owner (selected sub-objects will now match parent objects ownership)" option. 

Screen #1 - Object to Reassign: 

1. Select Account as the Object to Reassign.
2. Leave where clause as "Use all".
3. Pick fields to show for confirmation. 

Screen #2 - Final Reassignment Options: 

1. Select the "Current Owner (selected sub-objects will now match parent objects ownership)" radio button.
2. On the bottom of the Screen, check the "Use" box next to Contacts (should already be checked) and click where it says "Match Parent Owner" and change to "All Records".  By default, Open Opportunities, Open Tasks and Future Events are also checked. These can be unchecked if just the Contacts should be reassigned. If these sub-objects should be reassigned, make sure "All Records" is selected for these, as well. 

Now, find your matches and process. 

Here is the link to the Help Documentation on this option.

Notes: 

1. If the Account is owned by an inactive owner the Contacts WILL not be reassigned (cannot update owners in Salesforce to an inactive owner). 

2. If the Contact is ALREADY assigned to the Account Owner, no changes will be made (will not "update" to the same owner and hence the "Last Modified" information will not be changed). 

3. A restore file will be generated with the previous Contact Owners, therefore, the old ownership can be restored if required.