Find solution
What does a junior accountant do?

What can i do if my ex accountant will not pass on my accounts to my new accountant?

  • after an appointment was made to collect the "books" the accountant refused to hand them over saying they were not available when i know they were and now wants me to request them by letter and wait for his reply which will take some weeks, he knows that there are deadlines to be met and is just being awkward what can i do?

  • Answer:

    It sounds suspiciously like he is unhappy about losing a client and will try anything to get you back, although that means withholding information that should always be readily available for enquiries. Speak to your new accountants and send a 14 day request informing him that if they do not return your property within this period, they are going against the Data Protection Act. Either that, or you could consider charging for excess fees and time for attempting to retrieve company information (usually you could refer to your new accountants fees as back-up). Also, are they a member of any accounting body (ACCA; CIMA; ICAEW; AAT; IFA)? If so, you can report him to the necessary bodies as not providing information given due time and effort.

malcwood... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

You could quote the Data Protection Act, as he is holding your records "for longer than is necessary" and "without your consent", he could be in breach of these laws. I know it's a very broad interpretation, but no harm in trying.

CrystalZephyr

Make sure you actually send a letter or an email demanding the files- this way he can't later say that you never asked for it. Also try having an attorney draft a letter and send it to him demanding he turn over YOUR property. Another thing you can do is threaten to post a recap of what he's done online. In the USA, a site that you can do this is www.ripoffreport.com You can also notify his current other clients that you've had this difficulty obtaining records that are yours from him- let them make their own decisions from that. Good luck.

ohbabygifts.com

Chances are he's being "awkward" because you haven't settled your account with him....!

David T

He will be most likely regulated by the ICAEW or ACCA both of whom have it as an ethical requirement to provide records to the new accountant when requested. Outstanding fees or a bad disengagement has no part to play. However, it should be in writing and I think you need to do that first. If he still acts up you can report him to his governing body. If your deadlines are before that then you might consider a petty claims court for your fines or penalties.

ben h

CPAs are regulated and licensed by state agencies. Simply tell him you would prefer not to file a complaint against him but you will if he doesn't hand over the books. Oops, I just noticed you are in the UK but I suspect there is an agency regulating/licensing accountants in the UK as well.

Howard L

Remind him that any records for previous years were paid for when you paid the bill for that year. I wish you were in the US--I could point you to the code of ethics that requires him to hand them over.

Quick Answers

If you've paid for them, he can't refuse,having said that, it's always a god idea in keeping a copy on a USB stick as a backup,phone the taxman and explain your situation, I'm sure they'll understand.

kaiser eric

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.