Accountant Negligence Solicitors at Farleys
Bringing legal action against an accountant can be a complex, lengthy and often stressful experience – but here at Farleys, our accountant negligence solicitors are dedicated to making the entire process as clear and straightforward for you as we can. Drawing on decades of specialist expertise, we provide bespoke advice and legal assistance that’s specifically tailored to your circumstances, as we strive to bring your case to a satisfactory conclusion.
If you’ve sustained a significant financial loss as the result of negligence on the part of your accountant, you can rely on our solicitors to guide you through every stage of the process, providing considered answers to any questions you may have. Our specialist team has a proven track record of success in professional negligence claims against accountants, and you can count on us to support you every step of the way – up to and including any potential court proceedings.
Fill in our contact form below, or give us a call on 0330 828 3987 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today.
Can I sue my accountant for negligence?
Yes. Professional negligence by accountants is relatively rare, but it does happen, and the consequences for those affected can be severe. HMRC has been known to level heavy fines and penalties against business owners who haven’t complied with regulations (whether knowingly or unknowingly), or made errors in their paperwork. That can result in a significant impact on your business – which can be especially upsetting if you’ve entrusted a professional accountant to deal with these financial matters on your behalf.
All that means if you’ve suffered a financial loss due to your accountant’s advice, you may be able to claim compensation from them. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that these cases are typically complex, and can often take time to resolve.
What are the time limits for making a claim?
Generally, the law holds that you have six years to commence court proceedings in a claim for accountants’ negligence, starting from the date that the negligence occurred (whether that was in the form of negligent advice you received, or a reckless or negligent action that the accountant took on your behalf).
In some cases, you may still be able to proceed after this six-year deadline has passed, if you didn’t have reason to know that you had grounds for a claim.
But arguments about time limits in accountants’ negligence claims can become very complex. So we’d always advise getting expert advice soon as you can, to maximise your chances of obtaining a favourable outcome for your case.
Contact a Specialist in Accountant Negligence Claims
Wherever possible, Farleys will pursue your claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis.
We know that any kind of legal case can create its fair share of stress, which is exactly why our solicitors make sure to provide a friendly, personable service without any unnecessary legal jargon – making it easy to get all the key information you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Whatever the details of your accountant negligence claim, you can always rely on us to handle your case with diligence, efficiency, and flawless expertise.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, feel free to get in touch with our accountant negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3987 or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.
(FAQs)
What is accountant negligence?
In a nutshell, accountant negligence is when accountants fail to provide an expected standard of service, which results in a significant financial loss for you. That last point is particularly important – there’s a key difference between what constitutes negligence, and what’s simply a poor standard of service.
Delays, poor communication, or unhelpful advice are all frustrating, but usually not classed as negligence in and of themselves. Generally, the term is only applied to careless or reckless conduct that results in a significant and avoidable cost for you or your business. If an error or delay contributes to conveying an incomplete or inaccurate picture to HMRC, for example, and you end up paying a heavy fine as a result, that may well be classed as negligence.
Therefore, in order to bring (and win) a case for accountant negligence, you’ll need to be able to prove that you or your business suffered a financial loss, and that this was a direct result of your accountant’s conduct (such as giving you inadequate or misleading advice).
Some of the most common types of accountant negligence include:
- Providing incorrect tax advice, or failing to properly advise on tax regulations or exemptions
- Missing deadlines to file annual tax returns
- Failing to draw up accurate accounts
- Overvaluing or undervaluing company assets
- Failing to prepare account documents
- Missing accounting deadlines
How should I prepare to sue an accountant?
Evidence is key to the success of your claim, so one of the first things you should do is start collecting, saving, and storing anything that you think may be relevant to your case. That includes emails, texts, messages, photographs, financial records, and so on. At the same time, it’s best to contact one of our team as soon as you can, so that we can examine the circumstances of your case and help provide you with some initial advice (if necessary).
Most accountants are registered with the ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) and the ICEAW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), which have their own complaints procedures, so it may be worth checking whether your accountant is a member of either.
Will I need to go to court?
It’s possible, but generally unlikely. The majority of accountant negligence cases do not end up going to court, and our solicitors will do everything possible to resolve your case before it gets to that stage. In our initial communications to your accountant, we may choose to remind them of the possibility of court action, which will generally be something they wish to avoid as well. If it does come to that, you can always have peace of mind that one of our experts will be with you to provide advice, guidance and support every step of the way.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
Farleys Solicitors is a friendly, trusted, and straight-talking firm with over 60 years of experience in serving clients nationwide. Our solicitors draw upon a wealth of knowledge and industry-specific expertise in order to answer all of your most pressing questions regarding personal injuries.
At Farleys Solicitors, we know that every situation is unique. That’s why, in addition to advising you on the best course of action, we also tailor our services to meet your specific needs. We may even choose to take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.
If you need to speak with one of our specialist personal injury solicitors about any of our services, feel free to give us a call on 0330 828 3987, contact us using the online chat feature on our website, or email us on info@farleys.com. We’re here to help!