Accountants defence

Specialist legal advice in accountancy regulation including assistance in regulatory or disciplinary hearings

Blake Morgan’s Accountants Defence team has significant experience in accountancy regulation and defending professionals who face disciplinary or regulatory investigations.

In 2020 Blake Morgan acquired ANCS Ltd and in 2024, the former Head of Professional Regulation at CIPFA joined the regulatory team, bringing further expertise and insight. The team are available to assist with any disciplinary, regulatory and compliance matters arising in the accountancy profession.

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Main areas of practice

Our expert Accountants Defence team provides straightforward and bespoke advice on a diverse range of complex issues faced by our accountant clients:

Advice and defence to regulated accountancy professionals

Our accountants defence team represents accountants and accountancy firms facing regulatory investigations or requiring legal assistance with other regulatory matters. The team has experience of representing clients from different jurisdictions, and they understand how important it is for you to get the right advice, in the least disruptive way.

Disciplinary / regulatory investigations by regulatory bodies

We have experience of working with all the main regulatory bodies including FRC, ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS, CIMA, CIPFA and AAT.

Accountancy regulation and compliance advice

The regulatory lawyers in our Accountants Defence team provide clear, straightforward advice so you can have the confidence and knowledge to take the right steps.

Statutory regulation and disciplinary matters

Our Accountants Defence team can assist in a wide range of regulatory matters, including: Complaints and disciplinary - from complaint to investigation to hearing; Regulatory compliance, monitoring and practice assurance; Practising arrangements, including audit registration and practising certificates; Membership and readmission to professional membership bodies; Interim orders; Matters relating to health / fitness, investment business, probate, bankruptcy and insolvency; and Appeals and Judicial Review.

Achieving results without a hearing

In the right circumstances, we can often agree a resolution without unnecessary formal proceedings. We have experience in dealing with sensitive and vulnerable witnesses, obtaining witness statements, liaising with experts and obtaining other evidence to help support your case.

Strong connections to external counsel / accountancy experts

We will make use of our long standing and collaborative links with barristers' chambers and accountancy experts if your case requires expert input or specialist advocate representation at hearing.

Our clients

We act for accountants and accountancy practices. We understand how stressful and intrusive an investigation can be for you; our lawyers approach each case with the sensitivity and flexibility you need to feel fully supported.

From the earliest communication I was just so impressed with your professionalism, dedication and endeavour – which seemed beyond any normal expectation.
- A professional client

Highlights

High profile misconduct case arising from accountant's conduct as auditor of bereavement charity.

High profile misconduct case arising from conviction of former ACCA member and past Chief Executive of Irish Life & Permanent for conspiracy to defraud.

Misconduct case involving accountant who acted against the instructions of a high profile, elderly client in respect of their testamentary affairs.

Appeal in respect of accountant whose application for readmission was refused following criminal conviction.

Our team regularly write articles and provide expert comment for AccountingWEB.