Accountant - what recourse for non-performance?

D

Dinarius

Registered User
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My accountant has gone AWOL these last few months.

I'm just not getting the service I've already paid for - the last few things on my 2016 accounts.

What recourse, if any, do I have?

Many thanks.

D.
 
You'll have to give a lot more detail than that if you want to get any level of meaningful response. If there is a genuine reason for their going AWOL as you put it, such as illness or bereavement, your focus should be in achieving resolution rather than recourse.

Revenue are generally very fair and reasonable in accommodating taxpayers affected by such situations, the Companies Office (very regrettably) considerably less so.
 
Hello,

Mr. McGibney has hit the nail on the head, with regards to what is actually causing the problem.

A quick call, or visit to the accountant's offices, should get you an answer to the initial question.

If it's a case of the accountant just going AWOL, I would first send him/her a registered letter, politely setting out the problem, concerns and need for (immediate) remedy. Give them a reasonable amount of time to respond.

Assuming no satisfaction from the above, I would next contact whichever professional body the accountant is a member of. Most will try and assist you, and also have disciplinary options available to them, if needed.

Assuming you still don't get any joy, the Accountant will also have Professional Indemnity cover, if you can show a loss as a result of their actions (or lack of action). Obviously, that's one for our solicitor and the last port of call.
 
Thanks for the replies.

To be honest, I've never had a problem with them. They've just been acting strangely these last few months.

I'm in Dublin, they're down the country.

I'm still trying to close out 2016 - I'm a sole trader.

I just received a Demand Notice for a 2016 outstanding balance (not very large, thankfully) which I was surprised at, to put it mildly. Annoying, considering I paid the accountants their 2016 fee believing that year to be done and dusted.

Thanks.

D.
 
Ring and ask them. It may just be an oversight or mixup. Far too early to talk about going to a disciplinary body. They may well reluctant to take it on anyway until and unless it can be established that there has been any wrongdoing. If someone has been unwell or had a bereavement etc, escalating it to a disciplinary referral is likely to poison the well as it were.
 
Dinarius said:
I just received a Demand Notice for a 2016 outstanding balance (not very large, thankfully) which I was surprised at, to put it mildly.
Click to expand...
This actually suggests that your accountants have actually filed your 2016 return but that you have failed to pay your liability in full. Sounds frankly like your problem rather than theirs.
 
T McGibney said:
This actually suggests that your accountants have actually filed your 2016 return but that you have failed to pay your liability in full. Sounds frankly like your problem rather than theirs.
Click to expand...

I only ever pay what my accountants tell me to pay. Hence my surprise.

Thanks.

D.
 
Of course not.

But, it is their fault if they've told me the incorrect amount to pay.

D.
 
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