A Member was the subject of three complaints.
In the first case, the Member agreed to prepare personal tax returns for married clients. The Member did not respond to repeated messages from the clients and did not complete the engagements in a timely manner. As a consequence, filing deadlines were missed.
In the second case, the Member agreed to prepare personal tax returns for a client. The Member did not respond to repeated attempts by the client to contact them and did not complete the engagement in a timely manner.
In the third case, the Member agreed to prepare personal tax returns for a client. The Member made errors in the client’s tax return and did not respond to repeated attempts by the client to contact them.
In all three cases, The Investigation Committee determined the Member contravened the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct as follows:
201.1 - Maintenance of the good reputation of the profession
202.1 - Integrity and due care
The Investigation Committee recommended the Member:
- Accept a reprimand; and
- Pay partial expenses of $500
In making its Recommendation, the Committee took into account that the Member was experiencing difficult personal and health circumstances during the period that the complaints arose.