A former client has found a new accountant, who has in turn written to me earlier in the week asking for the usual hand-over information and so on.
The client had a lot of outstanding issues with HMRC, but was not the most responsive in dealing with them and as such they compounded during my time within the engagement.
Would you disclose that there are outstanding points with HMRC to the new adviser, or is it really not for you to say? Common sense tells me yes, but in a way that is not defamatory.
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Surely that's in the "any ongoing issues with HMRC" question.
Just be matter of fact, "HMRC wrote to us on XXX, we asked Mr X on the ZZZ, we wait their reply"
Don't put any emotion into it, times and dates only!
Write back advising any outstanding issues in a paragraph or two along with the usual bumpf, should cover you.
I would certainly provide details of all outstanding matters whether or not specifically requested. You must, of course, get the client's authority to disclose first.
Well, if your ex-client doesn't respond (authorise), you shouldn't respond to the new accountant. For any further reminders from the new accountant, I would politely inform that you don't have the authority to disclose anything etc.
You should not ask the client whether or not you can disclose any specific thing. You should simply ask for permission to disclose any information the incoming accountant requests or you consider relevant. Having obtained that permission, then of course you should disclose HMRC matters. I don't know why you're even thinking about not doing so.
Just write and say that a package containing full details of outstanding issues will be delivered shortly by ParcelForce. That should give the new accountant a clue.