I have some specific examples below which are clearly showing that my accountant was intentionally creating issues for me when I asked that I was leaving.
I decided to leave him as he started giving me the wrong advice and sending unexpected invoices.
Once I decided to leave he sent me the final invoice which I paid. Then I started asking to transfer my account to the new accountant. He started delaying it. After a few days, I argued with him that I already paid the remaining invoice and what is the reason you are not releasing the account. He was out of control and said you would now see what I can do. The next day I got invoice showing services going back to three years back since I joined him amounting £3000. He never said anything about any of those services or charges in the past. I was regularly paying his monthly fee. I asked for a proof of the reminder/email/anything where he mentioned anything about the charges. He is not replying.
What else he did when I asked to leave.
- I had a £200 refund from HMRC and he put that as a debt. I have a proof where he said it is a refund. I believe he intentionally did that.
- He deleted all the historical records which were on our shared folder on Google Drive. So, rather than informing me to make a backup he deleted them. Google confirmed that the accountant deleted it. I asked the accountant to restore it but no response.
- He is not sharing the necessary information with my new accountant.
- He deleted the company on Companiesmadesimple account which he supposed to transfer to me via email.
Based on the above scenario what are the options I have? He is registered with ICAEW.
Usually, accountants get away with these. Why? Because the clients do not take actions. I would advise you to take the following so he would definitely suffer if he maintains his ill behaviour in the long run.
Remember, review sites such as pilot Trustpoilt or Google review are also highly effective.
I had the same situation, I reported the firm to a few bodies. So let them they deal with it. Do not be indulged with it as it will eat your time and money.
I always find problems and discrepancies what they submit me for approval. I do not know how they become charted accountants.
Remember accountancy is a local business. So, make sure you follow the accountant’s firm on all platform and leave an honest review so other people can avoid it. Review sites like Google Review is also a kind of watchdog which can damage the image of unprofessional firms. Consequently, less revenue.
Perhaps you all should understand the background to this case in full.
To quote the OP
”Later our friendship spoiled” and ”I want to give him a lesson for his selfishness and for his taking advantage of other people innocence”. Oh and
”At least this will give him some lessons if he is a sensible person”.
No, Im not the Accountant. But I will be emailing the ICAEW to warn them of this vindictive person.
These are the membership bodies. Check his membership through these sites. Most accounts should be registered with these bodies.
http://www.icaew.com
http://www.cimaglobal.com
http://www.accaglobal.com
http://www.aat.org.uk
http://www.cipfa.org.uk
http://www.ioim.org.uk
The above list is quite comprehensive. You can report him to ICAEW. Also, find out whether he is registered with other bodies. Just report him first to ICAEW and then see go to other bodies accordingly. You can strip him from his accountancy license if you have a strong case. It is happening literally every day. You can see some named and shamed one here.
https://www.icaew.com/regulation/public-hearings-orders-decisions