No response from previous accountant...

Cant get started as no reference/authentication numbers

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Client is now sole director of company. Previous joint director's accountant dealt with all finances. Other director has now resigned but the registered office remains at the previous accs address. Cant get it amended as dont have Authentication code.

Letter of clearance sent to previous accountant 6 weeks ago - no response. I phoned and they said they would send info incl ref nos etc - nothing has arrived. Client has also rung - nothing. Was able to get UTR and I submitted 64-8 application online but I think that it might have gone to the accountants address.

Bank statements also show that company should have been VAT registered as from Oct last year. No idea if it has.

The client is doing very well businesswise and wants to expand. He was told accounts had been done but they havent (due to be submitted June). Needs accs for bank loan.

Suggestion as to how to proceed? Re HMRC I can get client to ring for change of address and for me to get authorised but with Co House any request will go to the 'old' accountants address...thought... get client to do a postal referral so anything for the company is diverted to his business address?

Is there anything else that can be done?

 

 

 

Replies (5)

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By Maslins
02nd Apr 2018 18:21

Not that rare a situation sadly. I know some people don't like the privacy side of it, but we tend to recommend directors use their home address as registered office address (assuming there is no separate office), rather than accountant.

Assuming they haven't signed up for PROOF, get the director to complete and post an AD01 to change address. Once it's been processed, request authentication code. If they have signed up to PROOF, I think they can deal with it by phone with Companies House, but have to go through their anti-fraud team (tell client to expect plenty of security questions).

Assuming client isn't enrolled for online tax services for each tax (avoiding this situation is a good reason for them to do so), typically client will need to call HMRC, potentially once for each tax, and update address by phone.

You can potentially lodge a complaint against the former accountant with their accounting body (if they have one). Whether it's worth doing so or not is another question.

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By andy.partridge
02nd Apr 2018 21:12

Don’t get angry because it will be counter-productive but I suggest you keep phoning and make a nuisance of yourself.

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Man of Kent
By Kent accountant
03rd Apr 2018 10:44

Get client to call Companies House and explain the situation - they will provide authentication code over the phone.

Got a new client to do this last week, no issues.

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Replying to Kent accountant:
Flag of the Soviet Union
By thevaliant
03rd Apr 2018 12:37

They will? (!)

Nothing surprises me about those incompetent buffoons.

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Replying to thevaliant:
Man of Kent
By Kent accountant
03rd Apr 2018 12:52

Yup.

Identity theft anyone?

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