Accountant - negligence- help!

[Angel shine]

Hi everyone, please can someone help me?

I own a business and I had an accountant for 3 years, all fine , but last year she messed up my accounts- by doing literally nothing. But also submitting incorrect information!
She Ignored HMRC calls, letters, voicemails and It ended up with me being investigated and being fined £300 I couldn’t believe it.

So I asked her for the last 12 months fees back which she refused but she said she would pay the fine.
I have today received a letter to state the fine is still outstanding and it’s soon to go to debt management if it’s not cleared.

Luckily I found new accountant this year who’s helped me get everything in order now

So
My question is - can I take legal action to get all my money back for the services that I’d paid for and didn’t received as she has failed to look after me and get her to pay this fine asap?

Thanks in advance as I really don’t know what to do about this.

[PallasAthena]

On the face of it the accountant is in breach of their contract with you and you can bring a claim in the small claims court for your losses.

I suggest you pay the fine to HMRC yourself and add it to your claim or you risk more serious penalties. HMRC will not accept as a defence that someone else had agreed to pay it for you. Do you have evidence the accountant agreed to pay it?

[DE DOGS]

Accountants are not held responsible for returns, or nor can be held responsible for any account faults,as you have been advised by PallasAthena you paid and have a recipt.