Professional enquiry letter

Professional enquiry letter

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I've just received a reply to my professional enquiry letter and it is one that I've not seen before. I've only ever received the usual "no professional or other reasons" type of reply. The relevant extract is:

.........we stepped down from acting as accountants to XYZ Ltd in circumstances where it would not be appropriate to confirm that there were no professional or other reasons why you should not accept appointment.....

(A few double negatives there!!)

Are they telling me that I should avoid this client like the plague or is there a fairly innocuous interpretation of their letter.

Many thanks.

Replies (10)

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Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
10th Feb 2012 16:29

Give them a call

and ask for a chat off the record about the circumstances leading to their resignation, which they really should have mentioned in their letter.

I can think of no innocuous (sorry! is that a double negative?) explanation - either they are being very honest by telling you that he is a PITA client from hell or they are being very devious by trying to dissuade you from taking a good client off them.

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By Mouse007
10th Feb 2012 16:55

So

there are "professional (sic) or other reasons why you should not accept appointment" then.

having read that a few times to get my little Friday afternoon head around the double negatives.

In which case they should have told you what they are, after all that is what you asked them to do. Certainly give them a call and ask them to elaborate.

 

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By Roland195
10th Feb 2012 17:00

Doubtless an SAR Report

I would place odds on the firm in question having made an SAR report on said client and this is an attempt to sit on the fence while:-

1. Responding to your request as their institue demands

2. Not making false statements in said letter

3. Not "tipping off" by telling you this

 

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
10th Feb 2012 19:19

.

I would agree with Ronald. Indeed I have a client who I have sacked and made and SAR report and was planning a similiar response.

 

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Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
11th Feb 2012 18:13

Tipping off

It would be tipping off to tell you that an SAR had been made, but he should nevertheless tell you the underlying facts - that is not tipping off.

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By The Black Knight
14th Feb 2012 11:53

they are not currently acting !

is the point....they sacked the client.....for what ever reason........

clearly they cannot deny their ceasing to act....but don't have to give you a reason....

might even be non payment of bill,.....or abusive client .....or ethical reasons.......or naughtyness in the broom cupboard.....or maybe a SAR.......

 

if it was a SAR don't we all write....no problem anyway.....as MLR promotes fibbing !

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By lechiffre
21st Feb 2012 12:28

Call them

Quick phone call will doubtless reveal all.

Advising of an unspecific "professional reason why you should not accept..." cannot be "tipping off" surely.

Maybe they are simply illiterate?

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By The Black Knight
14th Feb 2012 12:10

tipping off ?

Don't see how it can't be...

We have a suspicion that our former client was money laundering but we can't tell you whether we made a report or not but of course comply with our responsibilities in accordance with the law !

Doh !

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Replying to justsotax:
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By lechiffre
14th Feb 2012 12:29

Tipping off?

The Black Knight wrote:

Don't see how it can't be...

We have a suspicion that our former client was money laundering but we can't tell you whether we made a report or not but of course comply with our responsibilities in accordance with the law !

Doh !

That didn't make a lot of sense, seemingly a HUGE assumption there, but by your logic then the initial response must also be "tipping off"

 

 

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By pauljohnston
14th Feb 2012 12:34

Tipping off?

David will I hope help us here but I thought tipping off was to client, before the SAR is lodged

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