What do accountants do?

What can I do about Accountants who have failed to do my tax return?

• I was self employed for for the tax year 2007/2008 and I handed my tax return to Briant Accountants, Camborne, a few months before they were due to be completed. After a few months passed I phoned them to ask how things were going and was told that they have managed to postpone the date for another year as it was my first year in business. In that year I moved house and contacted them to let them know. I assumed all was well and almost forgot about them until i received a letter from the inland revenue saying my tax return was late I now have been fined. I phoned the accountants and they explained that the person dealing with my return had left the company and they apparently tried contacting me but at my old address. I have asked for my documents back to find someone more reliable to do it and they have refused to pay the fine saying its not their responsibility. What can I do?

• Answer:

  Find a new accountant and pay the fine. Sue the old account for the fine.