My company was victimised by a fraudulent accountant and I am not sure what to do?
He is not a qualified accountant to practice the profession. He used my company and did many dodgy things and started a new accounting firm. I am afraid to complain to Inland Revenue as it may put my company in red. Recently he got some visa problems and leaving this country along with many clients and telling that he can do their accounts from abroad. I don't know his client list to alert them. What should I do and whom should I complain and how can I sort my own accounts? Please help me and guide me.
Law & Legal - 6 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
I know nothing about business, .......but common sense tells me to contact the Inland Revenue and the police. You must do this to keep your own name clean.... I wish you all the best and hope you can get this mess sorted out.
Answer 2 :
You were "victimised," by an accountant who did "dodgy" things (obviously he discussed this with or you wouldn't know about it) for which going to IR will put your company in the red? At what point did the alarm bells ring? Best advice is to go to a recommended, qualified (with professional membership) accountant and let him sort it out. If you could have sorted your own accounts out in the first place you wouldn't be in this trouble!
Answer 3 :
From what you write you would seem to have had some knowledge of this persons irregularities for some time?, Go to the inland revenue, and the police as there could be an infringement in law against this person. But whatever you do be prepared that you yourself, will have to answer some very detailed questions by these two depts officials
Answer 4 :
How will not reporting it keep you in the black? If he is damaging your company, keeping quiet will only allow him to do it to more people. If you are prepared to involve Inland Revenue, without the support of a circumstantial audit, you already have significant documentation. Regardless you will still need another firm to assess the entire system. Your first paragraph seems to be more fraud than tax issues. You were only a victim to the point you became suspicious and silence only aggravates the situation. If you begin with the local authorities, they will be able to alert the other clients and notify any additional agencies. Good Luck.
Answer 5 :
As to your last question "how can I sort my own accounts", things are probably too bad by now for you to still be able to fix it yourself. You will need to hire another accountant to straighten out your books. Make sure to get a qualified one this way.
Answer 6 :
You mut speak to inland revenue. They will do what they can to help and if you put it off it will end up worse for you The accountant needs to be reported to trading standards at least Also....even though he is not qualified you should still contact the institute of chartered accountants so they can be on alert and warn people should he return to the country Find a book keeper by looking through your local paper for this years accounts....and purchase sage software and either learn it or employ a part time person to control it. it will be cheaper than a firm of accountants
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