Legal entitlement to accounting documents?
I have been trying to get all my paperwork held by my previous Accountant and she will not give me it. I have a bill from Customs from 2006 and I knew nothing about it. She has avoided me and when she called me she was very rude. I have asked her and left messages with her. I know where she lives. I have even visited her. Is she with holding my documents illegally? Whats my next move?
Small Business - 4 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
File a compliant with the entity that licenses and oversees accountants. That might get her attention. You may want to threaten w/ legal action.
Answer 2 :
They are your property. A letter from a Solicitor should sort it out.
Answer 3 :
Is she a CPA? or just a bookkeeper. You probably need to get a lawyer involved. Withholding a clients paperwork is not just mean, but illegal! AS a CPA she has a board to answer to, she could loose her license to practice. Contact another CPA to find the local board she answers to. Since she is avoiding you, I'd say she probably has lost/misplaced some important documents.
Answer 4 :
You can request copies of your accounts and tax returns from HMRC. They're used to such requests from people who have disputes with their accountants. Assuming you've paid your accountant for all that she's done, she has no right to hold your documents from you. It may be worth talking to your local CAB as a starting point. They offer free half hour legal advice sessions. The main bodies in the UK that your accountant will belong to are ICA, if she's a chartered accountant, ACCA - certified accountant or CIMA - management accountant. You'll know from her details which she belongs to and then you can check their websites for what to do in the event of a dispute with one of their members. Good luck!
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