Accountant ripped me off, has anyone experience of ICAEW?

[Paralytic]

Yes, this is where you are stuffed, if you don't pay your bill and they say the bills are correct, they can take legal action.
I was told several times by friends to tell them to get stuffed etc, and not pay the bill, but I contacted a solicitor and they said I have to pay and then claim the money back from a small claims court.

And what happened when you took them to the small claims court?

Do you have this other solicitors advice in writing? Did you pay for that advice? Was their bill correct?

Your issue is you paid the bills, even though you had every right not to if, as you say, the invoices did not fit with agreed criteria of clear and specific line items.

[Francis1989]

But you still paid each bill?

Yes, this is where you are stuffed, if you don't pay your bill and they say the bills are correct, they can take legal action.
I was told several times by friends to tell them to get stuffed etc, and not pay the bill, but I contacted a solicitor and they said I have to pay and then claim the money back from a small claims court.

[eek]

Thanks- I repeat, the contract and terms and conditions set me clear fees for work. All good and as it should be.
But the invoices were very vague, just 'for work done up to xx date'.
I did complain, I asked for itemised invoices - they ignored my request.
I asked them to stop invoicing me for unauthorized knowledge/advice.
The contract states that all fees would be discussed upfront.
The fees for unwanted advice were not discussed upfront.

But you still paid each bill?

[Francis1989]

was it £1600 for all costs over the last 18 months?
Or £1600 in excess of what you expected?
And if the latter what did you expect to pay for 18 months of accountancy services?


10.

1600 over and above the standard fees. So for example for 1 invoice instead of £250, as I expected for that 1 piece of work - it became £650 for the unexpected emails I was sent.

[Francis1989]

About 100%.

Thanks- I repeat, the contract and terms and conditions set me clear fees for work. All good and as it should be.
But the invoices were very vague, just 'for work done up to xx date'.
I did complain, I asked for itemised invoices - they ignored my request.
I asked them to stop invoicing me for unauthorized knowledge/advice.
The contract states that all fees would be discussed upfront.
The fees for unwanted advice were not discussed upfront.

[Francis1989]

I complained to the ICAEW many years back when I was unsatisified with an accountants service - they had every single figure in my accounts wrong - which was hard work as I had 12 invoices, was on the flat rate vat scheme, expenses where in the hundreds - anyway they tried invoicing me about 2k (they had previously agreed 1k but had conveniently forgot this - lickily i had it in writing) - the icaew didnt even have to do anything - as soon as the accountant knew I'd involved them they sent me some letter with the standard disclaimer about them not being at fault etc etc - but didnt cost me anything - transferred to one of the well known internet based firms and all was ok.

treats me right for thinking a local accountant would be better than a specialist online accountant (ok sample of one, others may be different!)

Thanks, - what was their reaction when you told them you were going to go to the ICAEW? How long before the submission of your evidence to ICAEW and the climb down from the accountants?
I think accountants really don't want ICAEW involved as I believe they audit the accountants.

[eek]

What's the odds this is just his 18 month total of normal monthly accountancy fees?

About 100%.

[jmo21]

What's the odds this is just his 18 month total of normal monthly accountancy fees?

[slogger]

I complained to the ICAEW many years back when I was unsatisified with an accountants service - they had every single figure in my accounts wrong - which was hard work as I had 12 invoices, was on the flat rate vat scheme, expenses where in the hundreds - anyway they tried invoicing me about 2k (they had previously agreed 1k but had conveniently forgot this - lickily i had it in writing) - the icaew didnt even have to do anything - as soon as the accountant knew I'd involved them they sent me some letter with the standard disclaimer about them not being at fault etc etc - but didnt cost me anything - transferred to one of the well known internet based firms and all was ok.

treats me right for thinking a local accountant would be better than a specialist online accountant (ok sample of one, others may be different!)

[oilboil]

Hi,
To cut a long story short my accountant has been charging me for unwanted, unasked fir advice to the tune of around £1600 over the last 18 months.
This goes against the terms and conditions which state that all fees will be discussed and agreed up front and there would be no nasty surprises as far as fees are concerned etc.
As my invoices were not itemised as I had asked it was hard to tell what I was paying for.
I have been taken aback by the arrogance and sarcastic emails I have got so far, when I complained.
They are a big national firm.
Has anyone experience of complaing to ICAEW..
And I suppose the small claims court to get my money back.
Just to be clear there is no hope of the FCA or any of the ombudsmen getting involved as it involves fee disputes .

I'd argue that advice has to be given (or else it isn't advice it's just knowledge they know that you haven't been given)

So if you have been getting this for 18 months and not querying it / refusing it before now I'd be surprised if anyone came to any outcome other than you had "implicitly accepted the advice"

Lesson learnt - check what you are spending your money on when you spend it

[northernladuk]

I assume he thinks the fee for his time was discussed and agreed as per the contract but the time spent incurring these wasn't so it's fair billing.

[Maslins]

I don't think the ICAEW will get involved in fee disputes. That's a commercial issue, rather than one of potential misconduct.

[Lance]

was it £1600 for all costs over the last 18 months?
Or £1600 in excess of what you expected?
And if the latter what did you expect to pay for 18 months of accountancy services?


10.

[GhostofTarbera]

Can you give some examples of this advice you did not ask for ?


Sent from my iPhone using Contractor UK Forum

[Francis1989]

Hi,
To cut a long story short my accountant has been charging me for unwanted, unasked fir advice to the tune of around £1600 over the last 18 months.
This goes against the terms and conditions which state that all fees will be discussed and agreed up front and there would be no nasty surprises as far as fees are concerned etc.
As my invoices were not itemised as I had asked it was hard to tell what I was paying for.
I have been taken aback by the arrogance and sarcastic emails I have got so far, when I complained.
They are a big national firm.
Has anyone experience of complaing to ICAEW..
And I suppose the small claims court to get my money back.
Just to be clear there is no hope of the FCA or any of the ombudsmen getting involved as it involves fee disputes .