Upton Accountants - more info

[Pondlife]

Now I have changed accountants (a local one, not a contractor specialist off these boards) I am getting the new ones to go through the figures Uptons have provided for the last few years. I'm not convinced they are correct and time will tell if firstly, I'm right and secondly, if I have to take further action. If indeed they are around for me to do so...

How much are the new guys charging to effectively redo your last few years accts? i.e. are they charging their typical yearly fee * 2/3/4?

[oversteer]

That's interesting, if I have to pay out to fix past accountant mistakes, do I have recourse against their professional indemnity insurance? What if they're no longer trading..?

[ratewhore]

How much are the new guys charging to effectively redo your last few years accts? i.e. are they charging their typical yearly fee * 2/3/4?

They have yet to quote me but I have already been quoted £200 per year by another accountant to double check the figures...

[SueEllen]

That's interesting, if I have to pay out to fix past accountant mistakes, do I have recourse against their professional indemnity insurance? What if they're no longer trading..?

Run off insurance??

[Bumfluff]

Run off insurance??

I asked Uptons for a refund for the year end accounts I had paid for and didn't want them to to complete, I did this in writing, I got reply but it was just the invoice for a complete years fees no mention of refund so I take it as Im not getting one ! I noticed in the terms of engagement for my new accountant Nixons they state in there that no refunds will be paid for basically anything (words along those lines) so I assume most accountants do the same.

Whats 'Run off' insurance or is that a joke ?

[blacjac]

Hi All,

We are being cautious about what is said here for the exact reasons Bugbait has stated. We do not want to prejudice any trial and therefore we will not allow any posting regarding specifics about the case on here. We hope to have an update for you on here tomorrow but want to check with the investigating officers that they are happy with what we post. It is only right that you are able to discuss the happenings at Uptons on here. Myself and the mods are watching this thread and will remove any case specifics, so as long as this thread stays away from those areas then there is no problem with it staying open and visible to all.

Kind Regards

Admin

Any progress with this yet Admin?

[SueEllen]

Whats 'Run off' insurance or is that a joke ?

When a firm/person such as an accountant or solicitor, whose professional body states they should have professional indemnity insurance, ceases trading they need to continual their insurance for the next 6 years.

This is in case there are any outstanding claims from the last years they were in practise.

It's called "Run off" insurance.

[Bagpuss]

One wonders if the indemnity insurance would cover the loses to clients in this case.

[administrator]

Here is the update I promised yesterday...

There have been a lot of rumours circulating about the current situation with Upton Accountants and we hope this post will clear up some of these and give some information to their clients.

We were first made aware of the police investigation into Upton Accountants, specifically Darren Upton, in the first week of April this year. It is true that Darren is under investigation by the Economic Crime Unit in Bradford. He was initially arrested and bailed but as the investigation continued he was re-arrested at the end of June and is currently remanded in custody awaiting his trial, the date of which will be decided in August. He may make an application to be released on bail in the meantime.

It is likely to be several months before the case reaches crown court and this is why we are asking that no specifics of the case are posted on the forum so as not to prejudice the case.

If you are a client and are experiencing problems then we urge you to contact them to make sure your accounts and returns are filed on time. As a company director you are ultimately responsible for your company so it is up to you to make sure that accounts are filed containing the correct information and on time.

Please keep your discussions on this thread solely about the levels of support or problems regarding their services.

[bassy]

Like Ratewhore i have been with them a few years now and over the last 18 months seen a big decline in service. Last years EOY accounts were late and again this years. Darren has only ever been my only contact there and I kept chasing this years accounts to always be told that they were going to be on his desk in a couple of days. Finally when they were also almost a month late I had an email off someone else in the organisation asking questions about my monthly spreadsheets at which time it was obvious that my accounts hadnt even been started. On pointing out that I had been told a few times that they were going to be ready a month ago I was then informed that the person telling me this shouldnt have, making me wonder who on earth was now in charge there.

As I hadnt been on this site in a while I had not got an inkling that others were having problems with them and thought it was just me. So am going to cut my losses I think - the last two years have cost me extra in terms of paying late payment fees for accounts being late. I just now need to find a new decent accountant (would prefer one who can handle my plan B stuff as well), one who gives advice and remembers deadlines.