Is convicted ex accountant Darren Upton practicing?

[Lance]

Hi, just signed up after reading this, as I'm wondering what advise you'd all give to a current FB client?

Don’t give anyone direct access to your bank account.
Don’t give your accountant cash to pay the taxman.

That’s for any accountant.

[malvolio]

Hi, just signed up after reading this, as I'm wondering what advise you'd all give to a current FB client?

You have to trust your accountant. If you feel they have not been honest or careful enough, move on to one you do trust. It's your business you're protecting, not theirs.

[WordIsBond]

Don’t give anyone direct access to your bank account.
Don’t give your accountant cash to pay the taxman.

That’s for any accountant.

Sorry, that's not enough.

Check Companies House to make sure your annual return has been filed properly.

Check your online account with HMRC to confirm your Corporation Tax return is filed timely AND that it matches the CT return which you were given and signed. If it should show less tax due, and a refund being claimed when you claimed none, contact HMRC immediately.

Even with an accountant you trust, verify everything.

But to be clear, you don't have to give access to your bank account to have a problem. If your 'agent' (accountant) tells you to pay X, and you pay it, and then files a return showing Y is due, and claims a refund from HMRC (because you 'overpaid') and they pay that refund in a way that he can access it, you've got a mess. When the truth comes out they'll want their money back.

If you want to be really safe, I suppose you could not authorise your accountant as your agent, pay him to prepare your returns, and file them yourself. But you're probably ok if you verify everything, and let him know that's your policy. If you get a crooked accountant he'll target someone who won't catch it for a while rather than the guy who will catch it within a week or two.

[Bagpuss]

What does it say? I tried a couple of variations of his email but no OOO.

DJU was a Leeds fan I believe.

No he was a Newcastle Fan

See last post here:
https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...6-years-2.html

Don’t give anyone direct access to your bank account.
Don’t give your accountant cash to pay the taxman.

That’s for any accountant.

As said by WordIsBond that wasn't enough, the key of his fraud was the ability to be an agent for your affairs with HMRC allowing him to "act on your behalf" including directing "refunds" to fake accounts. He did that for clients who noticed the payment details he sent were wrong. So he even emptied the money out of HMRC accounts using their processes. They have no duty of care, you told them he is acting on your behalf, so you owe them the money that was stolen. How would you protect against that?

Again as said above "Even with an accountant you trust, verify everything."

[Invisiblehand]

Hi, just signed up after reading this, as I'm wondering what advise you'd all give to a current FB client?

As the guys have already mentioned, it's all about trust. You need to ask yourself whether you have enough trust in FB acting in your best interests.

[worriedtony]

Sorry, that's not enough.

Check Companies House to make sure your annual return has been filed properly.

Check your online account with HMRC to confirm your Corporation Tax return is filed timely AND that it matches the CT return which you were given and signed. If it should show less tax due, and a refund being claimed when you claimed none, contact HMRC immediately.

Even with an accountant you trust, verify everything.

But to be clear, you don't have to give access to your bank account to have a problem. If your 'agent' (accountant) tells you to pay X, and you pay it, and then files a return showing Y is due, and claims a refund from HMRC (because you 'overpaid') and they pay that refund in a way that he can access it, you've got a mess. When the truth comes out they'll want their money back.

If you want to be really safe, I suppose you could not authorise your accountant as your agent, pay him to prepare your returns, and file them yourself. But you're probably ok if you verify everything, and let him know that's your policy. If you get a crooked accountant he'll target someone who won't catch it for a while rather than the guy who will catch it within a week or two.

Thanks all! Great advice.
I hadn't given direct access to bank accounts and had been verifying most things, but hadn't thought about the refund aspect, so this is really helpful!
Also, good point about trust!
Thanks very much everyone!

[blacjac]

Back when it all kicked off with Darren Upton, my other half phoned the police to find out what was going on.

They told her that Darren was giving out his own bank account details (or his companies) and telling them that they were HMRC's new details for tax payments.

So as well as the above - never use bank details given to you by a 3rd party without verifying them first.

[SimonMac]

For all those who hand over everything go agents/accountants, do you still have access to your online HMRC account?

This will always give you your full position with HMRC, payments, refunds etc

[DeludedKitten]

It's also worth setting up a watch with Companies House on your own account so that you get an alert whenever anything gets filed there.

[ContrataxLtd]

Corporation Tax Authorisation

Also, just for clarity, if your registered office is at your accountants (i'd probably say most companies are) then their authorisation for corporation tax is almost automatic. The authorisation code for corporation tax is sent to the registered office, therefore, this is by default going to the accountants anyway. I wouldn't say this is an issue as all the actions I believe Darren took last time could be done without authorisation anyway so doesn't prevent anything.

I would say, double check where you are paying taxes to and get yourself an online account so you can check submissions/payments yourself.

Martin
Contratax Ltd