posted 31st October 2025
How to Sue an Accountant in the UK for Negligence and Recover Losses.
When you hire an accountant, you place significant trust in their professional skill and judgment.
You rely on them to keep your financial affairs compliant, accurate, and well managed.
But what happens when an accountant makes a serious mistake, one that leaves you facing HMRC penalties, financial losses, or even a tax investigation?
If your accountant’s errors or poor advice have cost you money, you may be entitled to recover your losses through a professional negligence claim.
To arrange a free, confidential appointment, get in touch.
When an Accountant’s Mistake Becomes Negligence.
Not every accounting error amounts to negligence. However, when an accountant fails to meet the standards expected of a competent professional, and you suffer financial damage as a result, you could have grounds for a claim.
Common examples include:
- Incorrect tax or VAT advice leading to penalties or overpayments.
- Missing submission deadlines and causing HMRC fines.
Failing to advise on available tax reliefs or compliance risks.
- Poor handling of payroll, accounts, or business structure.
- Providing inaccurate information during an HMRC investigation.
Often, clients only discover the problem once HMRC issues an unexpected assessment, fine, or enquiry, by which point, the financial and emotional impact can be substantial.
The Impact of Accountant Negligence.
When professional advice goes wrong, the consequences can reach far beyond immediate financial loss. You may find yourself:
- Under investigation by HMRC.
- Facing interest and penalty charges.
- Dealing with damaged business relationships or reputational harm.
- Paying for further professional help to put things right.
Our specialist team can help you reclaim losses and hold negligent professionals to account.
Can You Sue an Accountant in the UK?
Yes. If your accountant’s actions (or failure to act) fell below the expected professional standard and caused you a loss, you can pursue them for professional negligence. This process typically involves demonstrating that:
- The accountant owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty through negligent work or advice.
- You suffered measurable financial loss as a result.
However, the strength of your case, and the amount you can recover, depends on the specific facts, the quality of evidence, and the financial impact.
That’s where expert guidance from the Tax Investigation Helpline, can be invaluable.
To arrange an appointment with a specialist, get in touch.
What Can You Recover?
A successful negligence claim can allow you to recover:
- Direct financial losses (such as HMRC penalties or overpaid tax).
- The cost of rectifying incorrect filings or reports.
- Associated professional fees.
- In some cases, interest on the sums lost.
Your claim may also be covered by the accountant’s professional indemnity insurance, meaning compensation can be paid without lengthy court proceedings.
Claims for professional negligence are subject to strict time limits, usually six years from the negligent act, or three years from when you first became aware of it.
If you delay, your right to claim may be lost, even if the evidence is clear. Getting early, specialist advice can make the difference between recovering your losses and missing out entirely.
Why Choose Tax Investigation Helpline?
At Tax Investigation Helpline, we help individuals and businesses who have suffered losses due to poor or negligent accountancy advice, especially when HMRC is involved.
Our aim is simple: to take the stress off your shoulders, recover your financial losses, and put things right.
- Specialist knowledge of HMRC investigations and accountant errors.
- Experienced network of legal and financial professionals.
- No-nonsense, confidential advice with a focus on practical solutions.
- Proven track record in recovering client losses.
We understand how frustrating it is to realise that the very professional you trusted has caused you harm. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer, business owner, or contractor, we can guide you through the process, from initial assessment to settlement or legal action.
Fill in a form on our website or call us on 0121 8277 971.
