In dispute with my accountant

[Coco-powder]

I run a small company and had hired a friends accountancy company to do my business accounts and my personal accounts, with my friend as the main accountant . A while back we fell out due to things that had nothing to do with business. We decided to end our business relationship and friendship.
I've since then got reasons to believe that he is intending to sabotage my work and personal life, he has already changed password to my online VAT account without informing me, i've just managed to retrieve it and have now changed all passwords that he might have had. I will be moving house next month and don't want him to have access to my home address, I am however a bit worried that he might be able to get hold of that from Hm & revenue for my personal accounts as he got all my personal information.
I would like to know legally if he is allowed to do this.
I've also found out that he has been sharing confidential information about me to other friends. I've got nothing to hide, but when I first started my company I had one client who screwed me over financially and i was very distressed and my accountant saw me in tears and pretty much helpless, he is telling stories like that to other friends. It is making me feel embarrassed and I am really wondering if he is allowed to continue like that. I trusted him as a friend and accountant and never thought that it would come to this.
Any advice would be much appreciated

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Never do business with friends...

It never works and always ends in tears.

Is the accountant the company secretary? If so, you need to change that as the co sec has access rights with Revenue etc.

If not, then changing the passwords will deny any access but make sure also that you contact the Revenue and have him removed as your agent.

If he wants to track you down after yo move house it'll be easy enough as the company address is public information. If the company is registered at your new accountants office for example, then he would still be able to get at your address if he knows your company name or does a directors search. You can have the director's address kept private but I do not know what the paramaters are.

HTH. PM me if you need any help. I am an accountant and have dealt with these kinds of cases before.

[agam]

You can ask him under the Data Protection Act to supply you with all the information he holds about you and request that all the information that is non-essential be removed. He can keep your contact details as these will be on invoices generated for work done. But things he may have that are no longer needed as there is no longer an ongoing relationship he should confirm have been destroyed.

If he fails to do this or you later discover he has not destroyed the requested information then you can report him to the ICO.

[NotAllThere]

Just an idea, but perhaps a solicitors letter reminding your ex-friend the laws of slander might do the trick.

[Bradley]

Report him ...

Just an idea, but perhaps a solicitors letter reminding your ex-friend the laws of slander might do the trick.

If this ex-friend is professionally qualified then report him to his institute. They take a rather dim view of that type of thing. Good luck!

[NotAllThere]

Now, that's a good idea!

[chris79]

In dispute with my ex-accountant

[Sausage Surprise]

I'd pay someone to give him a good shoeing! Sorted........

[Jaded]

It is hard finding an accountant that knows their stuff, when you do find one, keep hold of them!

[BrilloPad]

I'd pay someone to give him a good shoeing! Sorted........

WHS