Unpaid tax - Accountant gave wrong info!

Cook_County

barriejohn69 wrote: »

First though, if you can find out what institute he is a member of, and then report him to that institute. It is possible that this is a phony accountant with no qualifications at all, and won't be a member of any institute. Now that would be dodgy

How on earth would that be dodgy? There are plenty of accountancy firms that do not have qualified partners. A piece of paper doesn't make yo "un-dodgy". I have my own accountancy firm and do not have any qualifications. I am however classed as qualified by experience.

I have got where I am because I can do the job, not because I have a piece of paper saying that I can quote various accounting standards Parrot fashion.

And no I'm not dodgy

I wouldn't use an unqualified accountant any more than I would use an unqualified dentist. But that's just me.

Unqualified acccountants are all registered with HMRC so you can complain to HMRC if your accountant is inadequate and potentially get HMRC to twist his arm if there is a problem.

barriejohn69

Not all accountants are registered with HMRC. I don't know where you are getting your info from but whoever it is doesn't know what they are on about.

You register with HMRC as an agent then get your clients to fill in a form 64-8 to authorise you as an agent.

It is purely a voluntary thing. Personally I am registered as an agent. I am also insured and can be found in the yellow pages under accountants.

And no, I can't take teeth out. It may be an option for people to think before they post instead of posting inaccurate information.

Finally, it is a problem between the OP and the accountant. HMRC won't be interested as I should imagine they hear all kind of reasons for tax not being paid.

barriejohn69

One more thing. Why would you complain to HMRC about an inadequate accountant? That is like complaining to the NHS because a mechanic has not fixed your car. Totally pointless information

Cook_County

barriejohn69 wrote: »

Not all accountants are registered with HMRC. I don't know where you are getting your info from but whoever it is doesn't know what they are on about.

You register with HMRC as an agent then get your clients to fill in a form 64-8 to authorise you as an agent.

It is purely a voluntary thing. Personally I am registered as an agent. I am also insured and can be found in the yellow pages under accountants.

And no, I can't take teeth out. It may be an option for people to think before they post instead of posting inaccurate information.

Finally, it is a problem between the OP and the accountant. HMRC won't be interested as I should imagine they hear all kind of reasons for tax not being paid.

If you are working without being regulated by a supervisory body then you MUST be regulated by HMRC - as Parliament designated them as default regulator for Accountancy Service Providers. I am not an expert on the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, but I believe it may be a criminal offence to offer Accountancy Services if you are not registered with HMRC or any other supervisory body.

I'll let HMRC know that they should follow up on Yellow Pages advertising as part of their mission to enforce compliance with their regulatory role under the MLR 2007.

In terms of the original question, HMRC might be very interested as they could suspend registration so stopping that person from acting as an Accountancy Service Provider.

Pennywise

barriejohn69 wrote: »

One more thing. Why would you complain to HMRC about an inadequate accountant? That is like complaining to the NHS because a mechanic has not fixed your car. Totally pointless information

Not at all. Not only must accountants have registered with HMRC under the money laundering regs if they're not already registered by an approved body, but both HMRC and Companies House are showing a lot more interest in accountants who are submitting shoddy returns and accounts, in fact HMRC published quite a long consultative document in last months Budget including discussions about regulation and quality control of "tax agents".

jiggy2

Cook_County wrote: »

If you are working without being regulated by a supervisory body then you MUST be regulated by HMRC - as Parliament designated them as default regulator for Accountancy Service Providers. I am not an expert on the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, but I believe it may be a criminal offence to offer Accountancy Services if you are not registered with HMRC or any other supervisory body.

I'll let HMRC know that they should follow up on Yellow Pages advertising as part of their mission to enforce compliance with their regulatory role under the MLR 2007.

In terms of the original question, HMRC might be very interested as they could suspend registration so stopping that person from acting as an Accountancy Service Provider.

yup...this is correct...under money laundering regs 07 all principals in firms of auditors,accountants, tax advisors who don't have a supervisory body have to register with hmrc.

Doesn't apply if you are an employee or a fully retired member

Hats off to your knowledge of MLR 2007.