Business Details
22 Years
experience
Expert Accountancy Defence & Advisory Services in Devon
Established in 2004, Accountants Defence & Advisory Services provides specialist support to accountants facing regulatory, disciplinary, or professional challenges. Our team combines legal expertise, chartered accounting experience, and regulatory knowledge to resolve complaints, conduct disciplinary hearings, and offer technical guidance. With over 40 years of collective experience, including former ICAEW professionals and legal specialists, we deliver tailored solutions for complex practice issues. Our services include legal representation, ethics consultations, and audit registration support, ensuring members receive expert advice. We maintain strong partnerships with legal firms like Astley Legal Limited and Kingsley Napley LLP to provide comprehensive coverage.Client testimonials highlight our thoroughness in handling cases and achieving 'No Further Action' outcomes. Our fee structure is transparent, with legal services available at 200/hour plus VAT for non-members. Based in Devon, we serve accountants nationwide through direct consultations and remote support. Our focus remains on protecting professional reputations while offering practical, cost-effective resolutions. This commitment to excellence has solidified our reputation as a trusted advisor in the accountancy sector.
Services
Disciplinary Case Support
Regulatory Compliance Advice
Ethics Consultations
Audit Registration Guidance
Negligence Claims Handling
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of combined experience in accountancy regulation and disciplinary cases.
- Our team includes former ICAEW professionals and specialist legal advisors.
- We resolve complaints with a 100% 'No Further Action' outcome in recent cases.
- We offer transparent fee structures for both members and non-members.
- We maintain partnerships with specialist legal firms for comprehensive representation.
What people say
Exemplary communication
Standout professional
Patiently and thoroughly
Strongest possible hands
Delighted with outcome
Services
Disciplinary Case Support
We provide specialist representation for accountants facing disciplinary proceedings before regulatory bodies. Our team includes solicitors, barristers, and former ICAEW professionals with decades of experience in tribunal appearances. We prepare mitigation strategies, draft submissions, and arrange legal counsel for complex cases.
Regulatory Compliance Advice
Our advisors help accountants navigate regulatory requirements from bodies like ICAEW and ACCA. We offer guidance on ethics, audit registration, and professional conduct to prevent disciplinary action. Services include document reviews and procedural compliance checks for ongoing practice assurance.
Ethics Consultations
We provide tailored advice on ethical dilemmas and client conflicts for accountants. Our specialists address complex scenarios involving professional standards, consent orders, and disciplinary risks. This includes written guidance and strategy sessions to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Audit Registration Guidance
Our team assists accountants with audit registration requirements and compliance issues. We prepare documentation for regulatory submissions, address objections from oversight bodies, and provide ongoing support for maintaining audit practice standards through regular reviews and updates.
Negligence Claims Handling
We support accountants facing negligence claims through expert analysis and defence strategies. Our services include case evaluation, evidence gathering, and coordination with legal partners for court representation. We focus on resolving claims while protecting professional reputations and minimising financial exposure.
People
Chris Cope
Director
Qualified solicitor with 40+ years' experience in accountancy regulation. Former ICAEW disciplinary department head. Specialises in disciplinary hearings and regulatory tribunal representation. Established ADAS in 2004 after selling prior advisory firm to Blake Morgan LLP.
Matthew Corrie
Barrister
Specialist in professional discipline law with 15+ years' experience. Ranked in Legal 500 for representing accountants before regulatory bodies. Handles disciplinary hearings and advisory work for ICAEW, ACCA, and other accountancy regulators across complex cases.
David Kerr
Insolvency Expert
Former insolvency practitioner with 35+ years' experience. Senior roles at ICAEW and IPA regulators. Specialises in insolvency-related complaints and disciplinary processes. Contributed to regulatory guidance development and system improvements for fair disciplinary procedures.
Ben Leandro
Chartered Accountant
Forensic accounting specialist with 20+ years' experience. Expert witness in disciplinary cases and professional negligence claims. Member of ICAEW's Forensic Special Interest Group. Provides technical audit methodology training and regulatory compliance support.
David Moody
Chartered Accountant
25 years' experience in accountancy regulation. Former ICAEW senior manager handling audit cases and ethical complaints. Specialist in public interest investigations and audit registration committee procedures. Holds ICAEW practising certificate for ongoing regulatory compliance expertise.
Questions
What services does Accountants Defence offer?
We provide disciplinary case support, regulatory compliance advice, ethics consultations, audit registration guidance, and negligence claims handling for UK accountants.
Why should I use Accountants Defence?
Our team combines legal expertise, former ICAEW professionals, and specialist advisors with over 40 years of collective experience in resolving disciplinary cases.
What are your fees for non-members?
Non-members pay £200/hour plus VAT for legal services through our partner firm Astley Legal Limited.
Can you help with urgent disciplinary issues?
We prioritise urgent cases but do not offer retrospective cover. Contact us immediately for active regulatory problems.
