Is convicted ex accountant Darren Upton practicing?

[WordIsBond]

Executive summary:

Excellent! Couple comments

He was forbidden from practising as an accountant.

Is this an established fact? I couldn't find any evidence of this.

On release, he changed his name by deed poll, enabling him to get new identity documents, to Darren Roberts and secured himself a job at a new 'contractor specialist' branch of Hentons called 'Dynamo'. (AFAIK Dynamo didn't exist before Darren, ICBW)

He appears to have invented a work history for the time he was in prison, working for a company called 'Generate FS' whose MD is Adam Barton.

Dynamo/Hentons did not appear to know his real identity, and this discovery seems to have been the reason for his sudden departure.

We don't know he changed his name by deed poll. Seems likely, but maybe shouldn't be stated as fact. Maybe he met someone inside who told him how to get new ID without this.

Also, I've become more suspicious over time that Hentons probably did know. You don't make someone the head of a new division without knowing who they are. He hadn't had time to build up a new profile / network who didn't know the old Darren. I now suspect Hentons knew and are finding the legal situation a very convenient way to not answer some tough questions.

Everything else is excellent. Appreciate you doing that.

[WordIsBond]

Not so sure about that, the authorities are quite interested!

They should be protecting the public.

But I'm not sure they really need us to keep the thread alive.

[mudskipper]

Excellent! Couple comments

Is this an established fact? I couldn't find any evidence of this.

You're correct - I'll amend my post.

Excellent! Couple comments

We don't know he changed his name by deed poll. Seems likely, but maybe shouldn't be stated as fact. Maybe he met someone inside who told him how to get new ID without this.

I have been informed that this is the case by people who are closer to the facts than I am.

Also, I've become more suspicious over time that Hentons probably did know. You don't make someone the head of a new division without knowing who they are. He hadn't had time to build up a new profile / network who didn't know the old Darren. I now suspect Hentons knew and are finding the legal situation a very convenient way to not answer some tough questions.

It seems very unlikely to me that a reputable, established firm would risk their reputation in such a way. I guess their customers need to make up their own minds.

[DaveB]

Executive summary:

Previous to the fraud case he was also investigated and fined for running an unlicensed ForEx investment fund. He was subsequently made bankrupt by the FSA after failing to keep up repayments to investors.

https://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manage...nkrupt/a524206

Not directly relevant to this issue but does indicate a pattern of dishonest activity.

It was discussed here as well, with Darren make some efforts to defend himself.

https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...investors.html

Although he did go eventually go quiet when challenged on the details.

[mudskipper]

Previous to the fraud case he was also investigated and fined for running an unlicensed ForEx investment fund. He was subsequently made bankrupt by the FSA after failing to keep up repayments to investors.

https://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manage...nkrupt/a524206

Not directly relevant to this issue but does indicate a pattern of dishonest activity.

Interesting reading here

More Misery for Contractor Accountant - Contractor Weekly

It appears he was removed from the student register of ACCA way back in 1999 for "dishonesty".

"In 2009 he dishonestly stated on his student registration form that he had never been the subject of disciplinary action by another professional body whereas he had been removed from the student register of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) 10 years earlier for dishonesty;"

[DaveB]

Interesting reading here

More Misery for Contractor Accountant - Contractor Weekly

It appears he was removed from the student register of ACCA way back in 1999 for "dishonesty".

"In 2009 he dishonestly stated on his student registration form that he had never been the subject of disciplinary action by another professional body whereas he had been removed from the student register of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) 10 years earlier for dishonesty;"

So what we have is a pattern of dishonest behavior going back 20 years.

As with most con artists, he appears to have been outwardly personable, approachable and credible in what he said.

[northernladuk]

What a piece of work he is!

[DeludedKitten]

I guess their customers need to make up their own minds.

Having been with Dynamo for three years or so, I'm torn about whether to stay or go elsewhere or realise that I should just do it myself since I'm not sure I have the trust in the accounting profession any more.

The annoying / sad thing is that Darren gave good advice, and as you have said, the service level at Dynamo has definitely declined since he left (I am getting fed up with having to tell my accountant why they are wrong and I am right!). If he'd come back honestly and openly then I might have given him a second chance as long as he stayed well away from the actual money.

[DeludedKitten]

How can you protect yourself against his next incarnation?

1) Make sure your accountant has a digital footprint - it was apparent that, apart from a linkedin profile with a cartoon picture, there were no traces of Darren Roberts online.
2) Is your accountant a director of the firm he's representing? (especially for small firms)
3) Is your accountant ICAEW or CIOT registered (many aren't - not necessarily a problem)
4) Register for Companies House alerts when documents are filed - check them and make sure you know what is going on with your business.

5) Make sure you have access to all your HMRC accounts online as well.

I only registered access for corporation tax this week so at least I can see the figures and make a payment through their portal rather than relying on an email with details of which account to pay into.

[DaveB]

5) Make sure you have access to all your HMRC accounts online as well.

I only registered access for corporation tax this week so at least I can see the figures and make a payment through their portal rather than relying on an email with details of which account to pay into.

VAT can be set up as a direct debit, you only need to check the details once when you do it.

For CT your bank should already have the details of the various HMRC accounts available. You should get the choice to pay a business or organisation or to pay a new person or business. Choose the former and you should get a searchable pre-populated list that includes all the relevant HMRC accounts by name (Cumbernald, Shipley etc).