Accountant issues

Discussion in 'Accounting & Tax' started by Rodd, 31st Mar, 2020.

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  1. Rodd

    Rodd Member

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    Hi All,

    Hope this is the right forum for my question.

    I have had a falling out with my accountant (long story) - she is refusing to do my tax return and has been quite unprofessional throughout the process so far. Wanted to understand my options please. Is it even possible to start the whole process with another accountant? I have heard that due to covid, a lot of people are not taking on new clients.

    Will the deadline of 31st May still apply if I go to a new accountant? I have lost trust that my current accountant will do the right thing by me.

    Please help :(

    Thanks.
     
  2. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't understand why a new accountant could not start afresh.

    Could you get your documents back or is this likely to be a problem if she is quite unprofessional?

    And I'm guessing perhaps she may charge for work already done.
     
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  3. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    Yes it will extend to a new accountant provided they havent already de-registered. However I would be asking - why? If its about money dont expect much joy. No accountant wants a new client who may be a problem. Did you ask them to do something that they gave advice and you want to disregard it and tell them what to do ?. But if its more a case of the past accountant being slow and terrible at communication I have heard that too often. Sometimes clients can confuse unprofessional with what is a sound commercial decision. I have terminated several clients in my time through exasperation.

    There is no 31st May deadline
     
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  4. Ross Forrester

    Ross Forrester Well-Known Member

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    The ATO are granting lodgement extensions quite easily right now.

    Don’t get pressured.
     
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  5. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm curious about why (after a falling out) she is refusing to do your return?

    Has she suggested taking it to another accountant?
     
  6. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

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    The accountant hasnt done the return? Or they refuse to lodge it until you sign or pay the fees?
     
  7. marmot

    marmot Well-Known Member

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    Its not one of these cases , when everything turns up in shoeboxes , and then client gets annoyed at hourly rate, or the accountant wont let you claim for something that you are not entitled to.
     
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  8. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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    Do you owe the accountant some dough?
     
  9. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    You can do business with who ever you want ,but just have to ask with the falling out was it over payment or did you make some simple errors and the Accountant just put you on the no-can-do list..
     
  10. Mike A

    Mike A Well-Known Member

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    I wouldnt worry too much about deadlines as im sure in the current situation extensions will be granted.

    As the others have noted why have they refused to do it ? Seems unusual.
     
  11. Ted Varrick

    Ted Varrick Well-Known Member

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    Given the current lockdown situations, there are some who have more time than usual.

    Did you want to elaborate, in a summarised version, of the long story?

    Then maybe some of the Better Informed Investors (probably not those from the stock market, of course, where apparently it's illegal...) might be able to offer you some of their expertise.
     
  12. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    Oh, you probably shouldn't have dumped her via text :D
     
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