Is it possible check up whether the accountant is a member of ACCA?

[humaxe5]

I found an accountant on the Internet, he has an excellent website and claims to be the member of ACCA and FSB. I gave a call to his secretary (he was not in the office), sent him a few e-mails and everything seemed to be ok, so I asked him to help with tax return and accounts for my company. However, later on I came to a conclusion that his secretary is just a virtual secretary (i.e. the secretary just answers the incoming phone calls). The domain is registered on a different name. I wanted to check up whether he is a member of FSB, but, unfortunately, FSB does not confirm this information (they told me: "Unfortunately, as the FSB is not a trade or regulatory body we are unable to confirm whether or not a person or business is a member of the FSB. Please be advised that use of our logo simply shows support for the lobbying work we do and is not a form of endorsement or accreditation."). I looked through the website of ACCA (https://www.acca-business.org/pls/ecommerce/edoml001.p_enter_search) - but, unfortunately, I have not found anything. Also, I wrote to ACCA and they informed me that they cannot give me the information about somebody's membership without the written consent of the member.
I had such an impression that the accountant is very incompetent and he made mistakes while preparing my accounts. He did not show me the tax return, although he claimed that it has been sent to HMRC. I do not know if that possible to check up whether Revenue got the tax return and it's ok. I logged in Online Services (https://online.hmrc.gov.uk), but there is no submitted tax return.
Could you please advice me what I should do?

 

[Bob]

To be honest, I'd probably be looking for a new accountant (if you can find a good one at this time of year) and get them to sort it out. Presumably this is the same chap who doesn't webfile accounts. Definitely strange. Have checked the ACCA website search and it does work. Almost certainly if he's not listed, he's not a member of ACCA

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

I have just done a check on my name at ACCA and found it straight away - can only assume he is not registered. Have you tried the ICAEW website to see if he is registered with them?

Suggest you ring hmrc and check to see if the company's CT600 Tax Return has been filed. The number should be on the forms and reminders sent out by them unless the Accountants is also the Registered Office of the company in which case all forms and reminders will go there.

 

[humaxe5]

It seems that the accountant whom I asked to help with the accounts for my company does not know how to submit that, or, maybe, I am his first client. He made some serious mistakes and I corrected him several times. In the tax return (ct600) and accounts he writes incorrect numbers. I asked him to correct it but he neither responds to my emails nor sends me the revised version. I don't know what to do, do you think it is possible to check up whether he has sent anything to HMRC & Companies House?
Is there any authority where I can complain? Can I claim my money back (I paid him £400)?

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

companies house - you can check using the link below, just key in company name

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//wcframe?name=accessCompanyInfo

 

[humaxe5]

UK Contractor Accountant: Thank you.

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

HMRC - you will have to ring unless you have user ID & password for online filing etc

 

[humaxe5]

I checked the ICAEW website (Find a Chartered Accountant) - No Firms found :-(

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

He may have been a member of ACCA and been 'struck off' following disciplinary action. Does not look like he is a current member holding a Practising Certficate.

 

[kevin.doran]

Have you paid him anything yet?

 

[teddys]

I found an accountant on the Internet, he has an excellent website and claims to be the member of ACCA and FSB. I gave a call to his secretary (he was not in the office), sent him a few e-mails and everything seemed to be ok, so I asked him to help with tax return and accounts for my company. However, later on I came to a conclusion that his secretary is just a virtual secretary (i.e. the secretary just answers the incoming phone calls). The domain is registered on a different name. I wanted to check up whether he is a member of FSB, but, unfortunately, FSB does not confirm this information (they told me: "Unfortunately, as the FSB is not a trade or regulatory body we are unable to confirm whether or not a person or business is a member of the FSB. Please be advised that use of our logo simply shows support for the lobbying work we do and is not a form of endorsement or accreditation."). I looked through the website of ACCA (https://www.acca-business.org/pls/ecommerce/edoml001.p_enter_search) - but, unfortunately, I have not found anything. Also, I wrote to ACCA and they informed me that they cannot give me the information about somebody's membership without the written consent of the member.
I had such an impression that the accountant is very incompetent and he made mistakes while preparing my accounts. He did not show me the tax return, although he claimed that it has been sent to HMRC. I do not know if that possible to check up whether Revenue got the tax return and it's ok. I logged in Online Services (https://online.hmrc.gov.uk), but there is no submitted tax return.
Could you please advice me what I should do?

Whilst I don't comment on the work of another accountant, if a person is holding out to be an ACCA member whilst not being so, it should most certainly of interest to the ACCA. ACCA members in public practice are regulated so you could a) ask ACCA if this person claiming to be a member is indeed a member, and b) if so, you could raise a complaint against him for negligence etc.

 

[humaxe5]

kevin.doran: Unfortunately, yes. He asked me to make a prepayment. However, at that time I thought it was ok, because I've never been his client before.

teddys: Yes, I wrote there a message and they told me: "ACCA is governed by the UK Data Protection Act and this means that we must properly authenticate all enquiries we receive. I would be grateful if you would attach [his] signed and dated consent form with this request to enable me to disclose the required information".

So, in fact, they cannot confirm if he is a member or not unless I get his written consent which says that he is not against my requiring this information.

Perhaps, you may advise me some link to the information on ACCA's website where they describe claiming. Unfortunately, I cannot find that. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[talkinpeace]

I'd be interested to know who from the ACCA told you they could not confirm the membership status of somebody holding themselves out to be a member
as that is the EXACT opposite of my experience
partly because of this page ....
https://www.acca-business.org/pls/ecommerce/edoml001.p_enter_search

 

[teddys]

You could pm me his or her full name and the firm's details. I could get this checked by the ACCA but can come back only after the holidays are over.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Anyone can check if someone is an ACCA member its on the website here.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Interesting I've just checked my details and I'm not listed as holding a UK practising certificate which I most certainly DO have so perhaps it cant be relied upon to be accurate!!

 

[humaxe5]

talkinpeace: I am not sure whether I can make public the name, and I believe that's not important. What is relevant is that I got the response from this e-mail: [email protected] and it contained this signature:
Members Lifecycle Administrator
Service Delivery
ACCA
2 Central Quay 89 Hydepark Street Glasgow G3 8BW United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0) 141 582 2000
fax: +44 (0) 141 582 2222
http://www.accaglobal.com

 

[talkinpeace]

my god, they control our lifecycle!
thank goodness I'm no longer in their world