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Original poster

Incorrect advice from accountant - WWYD?

59 replies

Snog · 21/04/2022 11:24

Looking for opinions here on what to do next.

I paid for a specialist accountant to calculate my tax on a capital gain.
They advised me of the tax due and asked my to approve the amount so they could upload it to HMRC website.

No calculation was supplied to me just the total tax I owed.

I queried it as it was more than I was expecting and the accountant said sorry she had forgotten to update one of the figures and the correct amount was £1,700 less than she originally said.

I nearly said ok to the original figure as I figured she was a professional and knew what she was doing. I have now asked to see the detailed calculation and it looks right to me.

Given that I nearly paid £1700 in tax that wasn't due to to her mistake would I be reasonable in asking for a discount on the fee (which they made me pay upfront)?

OP posts:

tomatoandherbs · 24/04/2022 16:38

Do you need an accountant if this was for a one off bit of work?

Original poster

Snog · 24/04/2022 17:03

I only needed an accountant as a one-off for CGT calculation.

If I need one in the future it would probably be for CGT again, although I will try and do it myself now if I can.

OP posts:

tomatoandherbs · 24/04/2022 17:09

So absolutely nothing to lose to saying that in view of error a small discount would be appropriate 😐

Original poster

Snog · 24/04/2022 17:48

In fairness if they had offered me 10% off I probably would have continued to use them in the future as required.

OP posts:

Original poster

Snog · 26/04/2022 21:59

The local office manager called me today and offered a 15% discount which I was happy with.

Thanks again for all the useful advice.

OP posts:

Morph22010 · 26/04/2022 22:05

Bellex · 21/04/2022 11:41

I would dispute it and try to get a reduction in fee, they are likely to refuse.

I paid an accountant to do my accounts and they forgot to submit my business and personal tax forms. I was fined twice and they also overpaid in tax when they did finally submit as the guy had calculated it wrong. Flag this to the company that I paid £150 a month to look after my accounts and nothing.

did report them however to the financial ombudsman

What was the point in reporting them to the financial ombudmans. The financial ombudsman deals with financial services and accountancy/ tax advice isn’t financial services. You need to report them to their professional body

Morph22010 · 26/04/2022 22:09

ZenNudist · 22/04/2022 07:18

She's not wrong about the rechecking it's called the review process.

Sounds like typical small firm. The advice was very cheap, you got what you paid for.

Tbh it’s sounds like a typical national firm, charge a fortune and get a junior to do

ZenNudist · 26/04/2022 22:58

To me a small firm could also be national. No way you'd get advice for £600 out of the firms I've worked for. It wouldn't be worth our while spending the time to take you on as a client.

Anyway great news the OP got her discount. Probably best to not use them again regardless.

tomatoandherbs · 27/04/2022 07:09

@Bellex

they forgot to submit your accounts. Multiple times?

but YOU would have received the chasers
and YOU receive the confirmation of submission

so YOU must have been aware that not submitted?

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