Accountants

shelljcat1

Hi

Being a newby I am not sure if I get a response for this question I am about to ask but any advice would be grateful.

Can an Accountant allow an unpaid debt to mount up whilst they are in charge of your accounts?

Basically, I asked my accountant if I could have the end date to my contract for my records. Only to receive the date but an add on bit saying I have not paid them for services over two years and that I had a £5,600 debt to pay off to them.

Is this common practice for an accountant? They know the state of my finances so I am not sure what purpose it serves to put someone further into debt.

If someone can help I would be grateful. I see the Accountant on Wednesday to discuss the state of my accounts with them.

tomsco

How come for two years you have not thought to pay them?

jonesMUFCforever

You have to be a joker - right?

An accountant of all profession not billing you and not chasing you up over an unpaid bill - pull the other one!!!

Ben8282

Surely you were advised by this accountant what his charges would be when you started using his services?

How come he has not billed you for 2 years? This is very odd .....

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Ben8282 wrote: »

This is very odd .....

As is asking a question about Accountants on the Credit Cards Board. But we have to be nice to newbies so please disregard that.

jonesMUFCforever

I'm thinking TROLL.

tlh858

shelljcat1 wrote: »

Can an Accountant allow an unpaid debt to mount up whilst they are in charge of your accounts?

Yes, they can. Same as anyone else.

Although somewhat unusual to wait for 2 years before requesting payment, you must have known payment would be required, and therefore need to pay it.

Them knowing the state of your finances changes nothing - they provided the services you requested and therefore payment is due.

shelljcat1

I actually thought I was paying them for services because they get taking out a monthly amount. But they said I had cancelled another standing order which would have paid for this outstanding debt. But they are only informing me of this two years down the line when I want to consider leaving them for poor service.

Sorry for posting on the wrong board. If you can advise me of the right board to get advice about this then I would be grateful.

cinderfella

Most qualified accountants are a fairly decent lot. They usually bill clients on a regular basis & normally want a standing order to keep the billing total down.
The debt is an accumulation of the 'time ledger'. This comprises various departments - book keeping, accounts preparation, vat returns work, payroll work, income tax return work, manager & partner time.
The work done is normally accurate & time consuming.
If you are unhappy with the total bill just ask for a billing breakdown.

Lomast

Cant answer your question but my accountant is absolutely terrible at sending out his own invoices, great with dealing with ours but i have to keep chasing him for a bill so i can pay it