Accountants

Services for Accountants

We are here to help you if you have any difficulties arising from a complaint or a conduct/ disciplinary or regulatory issue faced by you or a member of your practice, including investigations by the police the ICAEW or ACCA.

We are specialists in dealing with a broad range of cases from complex and high value frauds to isolated incidents of misconduct within or outside of work.

Misconduct

Professional accountants are expected to observe proper standards of professional conduct. They are bound by their regime of regulatory standards and code of conduct

Disciplinary action may be taken against members, firms and registered students where there is evidence of a sufficiently serious failure to observe those standards. In addition, certain non-members (such as partners in mixed practices) expressly agree to be bound by and be subject to a disciplinary regime and consequently may also be disciplined.

Not all errors made by accountants automatically attract disciplinary action. If a member has given advice which in hindsight turns out to have been flawed, and as a result of which loss has been suffered, this is primarily a matter for the firm's professional indemnity insurers. However, disciplinary action may be appropriate if errors are of such frequency or magnitude as to signify a lack of professional competence. Whether you should make a claim against the firm's insurance policy is a matter for discussion with your legal representative.

Disciplinary Committee/ ICAEW Investigation Committee

Hearings are generally conducted in public, meaning that anyone may attend, including you, the member and the press. Furthermore, once a complaint is received, it may decide to proceed with its investigation, despite a later request  that it may be withdrawn.

Sanctions

These can include heavy fines and costs orders and in most serious cases removal of professional status.

As regulation of the industry tightens complaints particularly regarding fees and professional services can become ever more frequent and costly in time and resources for your business.

Practical and timely advice is essential. Let us take the strain and let you focus on your workload. We can assist with drafting representations or full representation on your behalf whether in the early stages of an investigation or beyond.

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