Mr Anchovy - could I have your advice please?

[venusandmars]

I have been self employed for 9 years with a Ltd Co of which I am sole Director. Since the start I have used the services of an accountant and have been very happy with the service I get. I do my own VAT, and keep pretty good records (all on a spreadsheet which the accountant had set up when I started). I am paid a small salary and dividends. Accountant does returns, PAYE, tax etc. All good and all tax efficient and effective, with no cause for complaint (well he compains when I send things at the last minute on 28th January , but the work is not complicated and is always completed).

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from him letting me know of a change in the company. I thought nothing of it, he is approaching retirement in a couple of years, so no surprise that he is joining up with someone else. But when I spoke to him yesterday my accountant said to me something about a dispute that he has with HMRC about a payment plan, and then implied something vague about the possibility of administration (for his company, not for mine). So it appears that at least part of the reason for the change in the company is to ensure continuity fro clients. But I now feel a bit uncertain. As I said I have no cause for complaint or concern about my own accounts, but I am wondering whether I should trust an accountant to has muddled his own affairs.

Any advice?

I'm not sure what to say really - it's obviously important that you trust your professional advisers, but it can sometimes be the case that people who give good advice to others are not very good at following it themselves!

It is probably a good idea to go through again the checks that you should always do when choosing an accountant - find out what professional body regulates his firm and check with them that the firm is entitled to practice, ask to see his current Professional Indemnity Insurance certificate, ensure that there is an engagement letter in place and you are happy with its terms and that you have been provided with details of the firm's complaints procedure (this is a requirement of all reputable professional bodies).

Builders always have the scruffiest houses
accountants own tax returns often go in late!!

I agree with Mr A
BUT there may be a lot more to it than he's letting on - like another client going pear shaped

your best bet is to treat the new accountant as a whole new contact and make them convince you - if they are legit they will not mind a bit.