Reply to: Bad Accountancy Practices - advice needed

[Saint John]

Many thanks for the responses

Unfortunately there is no regulator on their website, nor their emails, nor any correspondence I have received from them.

I have checked the ICAEW, ICAS and ACCA websites but unfortunately my accountant is not listed as a member under any of these bodies.

I am a little shocked that an accountant does not have to be regulated, given the importance of their role in the financial arena.

I will begin the search for a new accountant.

Many thanks to all those who responded.

[Lance]

Agreed, most of the big contractor accountants are not regulated! Just check the websites and if you use one of them ask your contact who they are regulated by, actually ask for it in writing!

If you ask for anything in writing they are within their rights to charge you for that privilege.

[Waldorf]

Check your engagement letter, and check the accountants web site. If it's not prominent, then they are probably unregulated - in which case, cut your losses and move to another accountant.

Agreed, most of the big contractor accountants are not regulated! Just check the websites and if you use one of them ask your contact who they are regulated by, actually ask for it in writing!

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

Check your engagement letter, and check the accountants web site. If it's not prominent, then they are probably unregulated - in which case, cut your losses and move to another accountant.

[SueEllen]

I'm having issues with my accountant who has been providing a very poor service. While he has acknowledged my complaint some months ago, he has failed to answer it, nor will he confirm who his regulator is.

Is there any way I can find out?

I would exert more effort into changing accountants.

[missinggreenfields]

I'm having issues with my accountant who has been providing a very poor service. While he has acknowledged my complaint some months ago, he has failed to answer it, nor will he confirm who his regulator is.

Is there any way I can find out?

Regulatory oversight of the UK accountancy profession transferred from the Accountancy Foundation and the Review Board to the Financial Reporting Council in 2004 - https://www.frc.org.uk/

Most accountancy institutions have a search facility. For example, you can see if they are a member of ICAEW here.

[Saint John]

How do you find out who regulates your accountant if they won't tell you?

I'm having issues with my accountant who has been providing a very poor service. While he has acknowledged my complaint some months ago, he has failed to answer it, nor will he confirm who his regulator is.

Is there any way I can find out?

[northernladuk]

Thats real helpful <mod snip>

It's true though. This forum doesn't exist so we can give you the advice you want to hear. We can point out other elements you might not see and know as well. If you don't like it move to the next one or grow some.

[NotAllThere]

The mods are around.

If you have an issue with someone's post, rather than about it - notify the moderators. If we think it's necessary to take action, we will.

[teapot418]

So the admins should disable it.

And northernladuk should stop making unhelpful / useless posts. He made another post correcting someones use of past / present tense - really? Nothing better to do?

someone's

[JackOfAllIT]

FYI that emoticon not allowed in professional forums. Mods might not be around - so hopefully you can remove it and I can delete this post.....

So the admins should disable it.

And northernladuk should stop making unhelpful / useless posts. He made another post correcting someones use of past / present tense - really? Nothing better to do?

[JackOfAllIT]

What work was actually done by your accountant or the German accountant?

It certainly seems like it's ripping the piss to me.

He wrote an email to a German accountant!!!!!

[BrilloPad]

Thats real helpful

FYI that emoticon not allowed in professional forums. Mods might not be around - so hopefully you can remove it and I can delete this post.....

[JackOfAllIT]

If they are regulated you can make a complaint!

For example to the ICEAW if they are a regulated firm. Most of the time you will need to make the complaint to the institute and this should be detailed within any engagement letters that you have.

On a side note, be careful of working in Germany as a contractor. They can be very strict when it comes to taxes and most of the time they want you to be PAYE. And if you haven't they might try to sting you later for a huge tax bill!

A firm with a monthly fee, rather than a general practice will reduce the risk next time of nasty unexpected bills

Yes that was what I kinda figured out after I my accountant not to bother. This was also a major reason why I chose not to take the job in the end. I'll have a little check to see if they are regulated or not.

[JackOfAllIT]

Sounds more like you had the wrong tool for the job. Many accountants will struggle to understand the rules around contracting in another country.

Why are you still with them if there has been a catalog of errors as well. You are ultimately responsible for your company finances so sticking with someone that has a history of poor service and the looking to apportion blame when it finally goes tits up isn't you taking that responsibility very seriously.

Thats real helpful <mod snip>