Is there a "good" time to switch accountants, and who does CUK recommend?

[FrontEnder]

AIUI, many people paid their corp tax direct to HMRC. He then submitted a correction saying they didn't owe the corp tax, and got it refunded to his own account. It could have happened to any of us.

This is somewhat different then. In my view, the fraud is against HMRC, not the business.

That is indeed harsh if they then forced the business to pay the CT.

It's also incredibly negligent of HMRC and it would seem they lack the controls in place to prevent this kind of fraud.

[SueEllen]

Refunding to different account from the one money were received was totally wrong thing to do by HMRC - from money laundering perspective too, crazy that they did it.

Absolutely.

Will HMRC listen? Will they f***. They are above the law.

[pr1]

AIUI, many people paid their corp tax direct to HMRC. He then submitted a correction saying they didn't owe the corp tax, and got it refunded to his own account. It could have happened to any of us.

and the Ltdco's are losing out? surely IPSE or similar should have been all over this? no way should they have to pay twice

[Waldorf]

There were warnings about this guy on thus forum, I recall posting some myself, but many ignored the signs and warnings probably because it was too much effort to move accountants.

[SueEllen]

There were warnings about this guy on thus forum, I recall posting some myself, but many ignored the signs and warnings probably because it was too much effort to move accountants.

The forum also carefully moderated posts until he was unable to post on it as he threatened legal action.

[ZARDOZ]

This is somewhat different then. In my view, the fraud is against HMRC, not the business.

That is indeed harsh if they then forced the business to pay the CT.

It's also incredibly negligent of HMRC and it would seem they lack the controls in place to prevent this kind of fraud.

They did force the businesses to pay back with interest because of course by then it was late.
Before it went electronic it wasn't so easy (maybe even possible) to do this type of fraud.

It may have been possible to chase HMRC but from what I have read on Accountingweb etc it is not guaranteed and usually leads to them being vindictive and going through all affairs with a fine tooth comb e.g. expect an IR35 inspection.

However, I think after signing permission to act as an agent and signing usual accountant terms where they can hold money on your behalf this gives HMRC all the get out they need.

[SueEllen]

They did force the businesses to pay back with interest because of course by then it was late.
Before it went electronic it wasn't so easy (maybe even possible) to do this type of fraud.
.

Before it was electronic people got caught out writing cheques to "IR" that were intercepted and could then be altered to fit the bank account the criminal opened up....