The following terms of business apply to all engagements accepted by Blackman Terry LLP. All work is carried out under these terms except where changes are expressly agreed in writing.
1.0 Professional rules and practice guidelines
1.1 We will observe and act in accordance with the bye-laws, regulations and ethical guidelines of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants in England and Wales and will accept instructions to act for you on this basis. In particular you give us the authority to correct errors made by HMRC where we become aware of them. We will not be liable for any loss, damage or cost arising from our compliance with
statutory or regulatory obligations. You can see copies of these requirements in our offices. The requirements are also available on the internet at www.icaew.com/membershandbook.
2.0 Investment advice
2.1 If during the provision of professional services to you, you need advice on investments, we may have to refer you to someone who is authorised by the Financial Services Authority.
3.0 Commissions or other benefits
3.1 In some circumstances we or one of our associates may receive commissions or other benefits for introductions to other professionals or transactions we or such associates arrange for you. In this case, we will notify you in writing of the amount, the terms of payment and receipt of any such commissions or benefits. You agree that we or our associates, can retain the commission or other benefits without being liable to account to you for any such amounts.
4.0 Clients’ money regulations
4.1 We may, from time to time, hold money on your behalf. The money will be held in trust in a client bank account, which is segregated from the firm’s funds. The account will be operated, and all funds dealt with, in accordance with the Clients’ Money Regulations of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants in England and Wales.
4.2 We will return monies held on your behalf promptly as soon as there is no longer any reason to retain those funds. If any funds remain in our client account that are unclaimed and the client to which they relate has remained untraced for five years or we as a firm cease to practise, then we may pay those monies to a registered charity.
5.0 Retention of records
5.1 Whilst certain documents may legally belong to you, unless you tell us not to, we intend to destroy correspondence and other papers that are more than seven years old, except documents we think may be of continuing significance. You must tell us if you wish us to keep any document for any longer period.
6.0 Conflicts of interest and independence
6.1 We reserve the right during our engagement with you to deliver services to other clients whose interests might compete with yours or are or may be adverse to yours, subject to 7 below. We confirm that we will notify you immediately should we become aware of any conflict of interest.
7.0 Confidentiality
7.1 We confirm that where you give us confidential information, we shall at all times keep it confidential, except as required by law or as provided for in regulatory, ethical or other professional statements relevant to our engagement.
8.0 General Data Protection Regulation
8.1 To enable us to discharge the services agreed under our engagement, and for other related purposes including updating and enhancing client records, analysis for management purposes and statutory returns, crime prevention and legal and regulatory compliance, we may obtain, use, process and disclose personal data about you / your business / company / partnership / its officers and employees. We confirm when processing data on your behalf that we will comply with the relevant provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
9.0 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Money Laundering Regulations 2007
9.1 In common with all accountancy and legal practices, the firm is required by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 to:
have due diligence procedures for the identification of all clients;
maintain appropriate records of evidence to support customer due diligence; and
report in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations.
10.0 Quality control
10.1 As part of our on-going commitment to providing a quality service, our files are periodically reviewed by an independent regulatory or quality control body. These reviewers are highly experienced and professional people and, of course, are bound by the same rules for confidentiality as our principals and staff.
11.0 Help us give you the best service
11.1 We wish to provide a high quality of service at all times. If at any time you would like to discuss with us how our service to you could be improved, or if you are dissatisfied with the service you are receiving please let us know by contacting Jon Terry on 08448800531.
11.2 We undertake to look into any complaint carefully and promptly and to do all we can to explain the position to you.
12.0 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
12.1 Only someone who is a party to this agreement has the right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms. This clause does not affect any right or remedy that exists independently of the Act.
12.2 The advice we give you is for your sole use and is confidential to you and will not constitute advice for any third party to whom you may communicate it. We will accept no responsibility to third parties for any aspect of our professional services or work that is made available to them.
13.0 Fees
13.1 Our fees are calculated on the basis of the time spent on your affairs by the Principal and staff and on the levels of skill or responsibility involved. Our fees will be billed monthly, together with outlays and VAT, and our invoices will be due for payment 15 days after issue.
13.2 If we need to do work outside the responsibilities outlined in our engagement letter, we will advise you in advance. This will involve additional fees.
13.3 We normally ask clients to pay a proportion of their fee on a monthly Direct Debit. These direct debit payments will be applied to fees for work performed under our engagement letter for the current and ensuing years. We would require an up front fee for work covering the prior year to engagement and then a monthly fee for a tied in period of 6 months. After the first 6 months of our engagement any direct debit payments will be treated as a monthly retainer.
13.4 We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue accounts at the current rate under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. We also reserve the right to terminate our engagement and cease acting if payment of any fees billed is unduly delayed.
14.0 Applicable law
14.1 Our engagement with you is governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, English law. The Courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any claim, dispute or difference concerning our engagement letter and terms of business and any matter arising from or under them. Each party irrevocably waives any right it may have to object to any action being brought in those courts, to claim that the action has been brought in an inconvenient forum, or to claim that those courts do not have jurisdiction.