Help with rogue tax advisor please

ladyjill

I feel so embarrassed after seeking advice on the net with a tax problem.
After I had spoken to the tax advisor on the phone, [very professional website], he agreed to sort out my problem. I sent him all the relevant documents, as requested, and waited for his bill.
And waited, and waited. When I rang six months later, he complained about the tax people taking three months for every letter.
One year later, after further phone calls and emails, I rang the Inland Revenue myself. To my amazement, not only were they kindness itself, but they also advised me to request my documents back, as they had no record of any documents about my case from the advisor!!!! They advised me not to offer to pay anything, as he had done no work in all that time.
I immediately sent a registered letter, asking politely for their return and enclosing a cheque for £10 to cover the postage, and have heard nothing for the past two weeks.
Please advise - I need my documents back in order to sort out the problem with the Inland Revenue myself.
What is the most efficient lever to apply here? Should I go in person? He's 150 miles away, but I am now becoming desperate. Any advice gratefully received.

ladyjill

Thanks for the suggestion - phone calls to him don't get anywhere. That's why I wondered if a surprise call in the company of a tall fierce looking gentleman might be more instantly effective.
Am I allowed to name him on the web without fear of being sued?

Cook_County

You can complain to the professional body or bodies of which he is a member. All the professional bodies (eg ICAEW, CIOT etc) have disciplinary rules. Which Institute(s) is he a member of?

ladyjill

Thanks Cook_County for your suggestion.
He is a member of the Institute of Practising Accountants, according to his website.
I want to get the documents back asap,as amicably as possible, without threatening him.
Should I ring them on Monday to ask their advice on what to do next?
ladyjill

Cook_County

I've never heard of them. I was expecting you would have chosen a member of the:
CIOT (Chartered Institute of Accountants)
ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians)
FTA (Federation of Tax Administrators)
ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales)
ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland)
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

Perhaps you can find something about this Institute, I cannot so it may not be authorised. Trading Standards should be able to assist if you have been defrauded. Otherwise you can try the Small Claims Court.

paulus

His institute definitely seems suspicious. The only similar institute name I can find is in Nigeria.

WHA

As I understand, The Institute of Practising Accountants is NOT a recongnised UK professional regulatory accountancy body by the DTI and not a CCAB body.

I believe it is more of a "members" association, where entry is simply by paying a membership fee, and where members can get better deals on training courses, insurance etc. So basically, their members TAKE NO EXAMS to become a member and are NOT actually regulated as to their professional standards. Not much different really to them being a member of a Chamber of Commerce or any other informal "society".

It is a shame that you did not go with a firm of accountants who used the word "chartered" in their qualifications as that word is strictly controlled and you would have a professional regulator to complain to if things went wrong.

Your only hope is to rely on Trading Standards and contract law to recover your property and claim compensation if you have lost out.

ladyjill

To my intense relief, my documents were sent back to me on Friday.
Thank you all for your advice, help and encouragement.
What a wonderful board this is!
It helps me to save money and encourages me in difficult situations.
Where would we be without Martin?