Make a complaint about a CPAA Member

Please use this form to make a complaint about a CPAA Member.

Before submitting your complaint, please check the CPAA Member Directory on our website to confirm that the individual concerned is a Member of CPAA. Accountants in the UK may belong to one or more professional bodies, or may not be affiliated with any professional body.

Criminal conduct and allegations
If you suspect that a CPAA Member has committed a criminal offence or is involved in criminal activity, you should report the matter directly to the police or another appropriate law enforcement agency.

If the matter has been reported to a law enforcement agency and an investigation is ongoing, CPAA will normally be unable to progress your complaint until that investigation has concluded.

Similarly, if the Member is awaiting trial or is currently involved in criminal proceedings, CPAA will normally be unable to progress its investigation until those proceedings have concluded.

We welcome information concerning allegations of criminal conduct involving CPAA Members. However, we may need to delay taking action while a criminal investigation or court proceedings remain ongoing.

Civil proceedings
If you believe that you may have a civil claim against a CPAA Member, we recommend that you seek advice from a suitably qualified and regulated legal professional.

If you intend to begin civil proceedings, or if proceedings are already underway, you may wish to wait until they have concluded before submitting your complaint. CPAA may be unable to progress its investigation until any related civil proceedings have been resolved.

Fee disputes
CPAA cannot become involved in disputes solely concerning the amount of fees charged by a Member.

If your complaint relates only to a fee dispute, CPAA will be unable to investigate it. Where a fee dispute forms part of a wider complaint, we may investigate the other matters raised but will disregard the element relating solely to the level of fees charged.

Recovery of fees
CPAA’s Disciplinary Regulations allow certain Regulatory Committees to direct a Member to repay fees in appropriate circumstances. However, the purpose of CPAA’s complaints and disciplinary process is not primarily to recover money on behalf of complainants.

You may find it more appropriate to pursue the recovery of fees through the courts, including the small claims process where applicable. We recommend that you obtain legal advice before taking action to recover any fees paid.

 

 

Using generative AI when making a complaint
You may choose to use a generative AI tool, such as ChatGPT, Claude or Grok, to help prepare your complaint. However, you should use these tools with care.

Generative AI can produce inaccurate or fabricated information, sometimes referred to as “hallucinations”. It may also use exaggerated, overly formal or unnecessarily complex language. This can make a complaint more difficult to understand and may distract from the facts and concerns you wish to raise.

You are not expected to be a legal expert or to present your complaint using legal terminology. Complaints written clearly, factually and in your own words are often more persuasive and easier for CPAA to assess.

You remain responsible for checking that all information included in your complaint is accurate and that the final submission reflects your own account of events. You should not include allegations, quotations, dates or other details generated by an AI tool unless you have verified them.

You should also take care not to enter confidential, sensitive or personal information into a generative AI service. This may include client information, financial information, identification documents, account details, correspondence or personal data relating to another person. Information entered into an AI service may be processed, retained or used in accordance with that provider’s terms and privacy arrangements.

Where possible, remove or anonymise confidential and personal information before using an AI tool. You should only disclose information that is necessary for CPAA to understand and assess your complaint.