Nixon Williams hit by Cyber Security incident

[JHamp82]

On top of already filing my year end accounts late, I'm still waiting for my SA return to be processed and now this.

Is it easy to leave an accountant? Should I just cancel the direct debit and tell them I no longer require their services (once my year end accounts are done, of course) or do they need to play ball to do some kind of handover to whoever my new accountant might be?

I'd ask them but I'm sure the usual 2 week wait for a response has now gone up to 6 weeks!

2 week/ 6 week response time is ridiculous but not surprising from NW/SJD. They would require 30 days notice or something. I would send them an email and follow up with a call that you want to leave their services. Generally the process is hassle free where your new accountant contacts them to get information of them so in my experience mostly its hassle free.

[agentzero]

2 week/ 6 week response time is ridiculous but not surprising from NW/SJD. They would require 30 days notice or something. I would send them an email and follow up with a call that you want to leave their services. Generally the process is hassle free where your new accountant contacts them to get information of them so in my experience mostly its hassle free.

Send a letter stating you are cancelling services due to their inability to deliver the service. Send registered mail and ensure to keep a copy of that. Cancel direct debit and move service to your new preferred accountant. Ensure you get access to FreeAgent using your business email address, if you're using FreeAgent.

[MrContractorMan]

SJD failed to file my accounts by 31 December WHICH I APPROVED FOR THEM TO FILE IN NOVEMBER. They have agreed to pay the fine but now I have a letter from Companies House saying that I have until 28th Jan to file or action will be initiated that could lead to me being struck off, criminal record and unlimited fine.

I emailed SJD about this issue 18th last week and response was the system is down. I understand that they have been hacked BUT they must have disaster recovery that results in being back up within a couple of days - it has been down now since at least 10th Jan, that is 14 days and counting....

Despite the system being down they sent my accounts to approve via email and therefore they have offline copies on their email system. I emailed them last week and this week to suggest that they submit manually or let me know what their plan of action is to file my accounts by 28th. I have even spoke to online chat who have promised someone will phone. The silence is deafening.

I have been using SJD for over 16 years. They used to be great. Unfortunately, the quality of service has been declining for three or four years now and they seem to have a very high turnover of staff. I have had several different not so personal accountants recently and one who simply failed to do things that I pay SJD to do.

In summary, they failed to file my accounts, I subsequently received a letter from Companies House about my late accounts and it is now 24th and I have until the 28th before I could become a criminal and SJD are ignoring my emails and request for phone calls. I just want some re-assurance that they have contingency to file my accounts by 28th or some action that they can do with Companies House to assure me that in writing that Companies House will not take action.

I think that they are going to lose a lot of customers.

[Paralytic]

In summary, they failed to file my accounts, I subsequently received a letter from Companies House about my late accounts and it is now 24th and I have until the 28th before I could become a criminal and SJD are ignoring my emails and request for phone calls. I just want some re-assurance that they have contingency to file my accounts by 28th or some action that they can do with Companies House to assure me that in writing that Companies House will not take action.

I assume you've also phoned CH and informed them of this? No guarantee it will make any difference (though i suspect the criminal record email is a boilerplate letter), but i'd rather have it on record with them that you're doing all you can to get things corrected.

PS. Today's the 25th not the 24th...

[northernladuk]

I think that they are going to lose a lot of customers.

The sensible lot left years ago. All they have left is the people too lazy or oblivious to make the jump until it invariably goes wrong.

[GregRickshaw]

[QUOTE=northernladuk;n4200855 But Brookson isn't. [/QUOTE]

They have been and hit hard too, still recovering nearly two weeks on.

[northernladuk]

They have been and hit hard too, still recovering nearly two weeks on.

I can imagine. I just want to know why the sudden flurry of attacks on a particular group and why Brookson if they aren't part of that group. Have the attackers found a vulnerability in some software they all use or is it targeted if you get me. Can't be coincidental they've all been hit at the same time.

[Lance]

Maybe Simon Dolan has gone "full John McAfee" and had this done to them....

[MrContractorMan]

The sensible lot left years ago. All they have left is the people too lazy or oblivious to make the jump until it invariably goes wrong.

So basically you are calling me lazy or stupid and no one to blame but myself for SJD incompetance! Every single forum has one doesn't it and I found this forum's smart arse within hours of joining well done.

[MrContractorMan]

I assume you've also phoned CH and informed them of this? No guarantee it will make any difference (though i suspect the criminal record email is a boilerplate letter), but i'd rather have it on record with them that you're doing all you can to get things corrected.

PS. Today's the 25th not the 24th...

Yes I have been on contact with CH in the background and they basically said, send am email with explanation, state that I don't want Company to be struck off and a date in a few weeks time by which the accounts will be filed.

SJD actually emailed me this morning to say that they will file my accounts using Freeagent. They should have responded much sooner and I will still have to check that they have done it.