Accountant owe me money?

mrchimps

Not sure if this is the right place to add this, but dont think I oculd find anywhere else.

I have been self employed for 5 yrs now and was paying £53.36 to an accountant per month to do my accounts at the end of the year. I had paid fully for 2007 but never sent them my accounts and got someone else to do them for me.

I haver requested the £600 odd pound back for the 07 period and had a reply telling me will take 4 weeks to check their files but they are sure they havce worded in the original quote that they dont pay back any fees.

I dug up the original letter and there is no mention of this.

Is this a lost cause or could/should I push harder?

Any help appreciated
mrC

PlutoinCapricorn

You are yet another example of self employed people who have had a bad deal from their accountant. I do my own figures and tax returns, but admit that there is not much money or effort involved.

I would sent them a formal letter with a photocopy of their 'quote' attached as the first step: they have taken your money and given nothing in return. What did you do at the time, did you inform them that you would not need their services?

whitewing

I pay monthly (and submit data to my accountant monthly). I get a receipt monthly from the accountants. If you have too, then I guess there is some admin effort on their behalf.

Did your accountants ever write to you asking you to hand over the data by a particular deadline?

If they have done nothing other than had an initial meeting with you, then you should expect to be charged for that meeting (on the basis that initial meetings are only 'free' if you don't take up the offer. If you sign anything, then that meeting will be costed into the charge as far as I understand).

My summary really is that you should push for a refund, but depending on what effort they have put in to acknowledging the payments, and sending you newsletters etc ie treating you as a customer, you shouldn't expect a full refund.

mrchimps

Many thanks for the quick reply PC.

I have just e-mailed them, the schedule of payments made for 07, a pdf of the original quote and a letter from their main accountant stating all the fees were up to date for 07.

Will keep you posted and many thanks again.

mrchimps

sorry WW, must have posted before your reply appeared.

They asked for my accounts up to 31/12/07 as soon after that date as possible, but through illness left it. they never reminded me. All they did was collect payments of £53.36 monthly via dd.

PlutoinCapricorn

This website is about saving money. This includes looking after your affairs, not accepting bad customer service and doing whatever is necessary to get refunds, compensation etc. It it not good to let someone "get away with it". However, it is best to keep an eye on your affairs and get on the case as early as possible.

It is always best to go to the company first, if you have no luck then you need to see what else you can do, assuming that you have a good 'case'.

mrchimps

thanks, im presuming they were hoping I didnt have any of the paperwork and would just go away - hence the 4 weeks to retrieve paperwork.

whitewing

mrchimps wrote: »

thanks, im presuming they were hoping I didnt have any of the paperwork and would just go away - hence the 4 weeks to retrieve paperwork.

Doubtful. In my experience, even excellent accountants are stuck in the last century using carrier pigeons. 4 weeks is a normal accountants time scale for anything. I suspect you will get a refund once they have looked into it. Keep your communications polite and positive, and charm them into giving the money back.

Are you sure it was by direct debit, and not standing order? Either way, I assume you have contacted your bank to cancel the payment.

mrchimps

sorry yes S/O not dd.
Been cancelled a while now but thanks for asking.

Will post any results.

Cheers
mrC.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

If you didnt send them the information when requested why the hell should you get the money back.

You agreed a contract with them which they would have fulfilled and attempted to fulfil. You decided to breach it and go elsehwere so shouldnt be entitled to a penny back.

whitewing

Yes but them haven't actually done a lot for the money now have they?

I certainly think OP should get a partial refund.