Disciplinary outcome: Karen Birks

Karen Birks’s conduct was found to be in breach of the Code of Professional Ethics and to have posed a risk to the public and/or undermine public confidence in the Association and its members as follows:
1. For an unknown period until on or around 8 June 2022, she failed to adequately record the carrying out of client due diligence in respect of one or more clients
2. For an unknown period until on or around 8 June 2022, she failed to carry out adequate risk assessments and record ongoing monitoring in respect of one or more clients.
3. For an unknown period until on or around 8 June 2022, she failed to carry out an adequate firm-wide money laundering risk assessment.
4. For an unknown period until on or around 8 June 2022, she failed to have in place appropriate procedures for reporting discrepancies in the Persons with Significant Control (PSC) register.
5. For on or around 5 October 2017 until on or around 09 June 2022, she failed to have sufficient PII cover.
6. For on or around 2020 until on or around 8 June 2022, she failed to comply with Regulation 10 of the Clients’ Money Policy as, she paid client’s money, totalling £145,176 of client’s tax refunds into the firm’s office bank account.
7. For an unknown period until on or around 08 June 2022, she failed to issue any or any adequate letters of engagement to one or more clients.
8. For on or around June 2020 until on or around 08 June 2022, she provided company secretarial services outside the scope of her AAT practising licence.
9. For on or around June 2020 until on or around 08 June 2022, she provided  Computerised Accountancy Systems outside the scope of her AAT practising licence
 

Grounds for disciplinary action existed and the matter was suitable for exercise of the Investigations Team's powers under the Disciplinary Regulations.

Karen Birks is hereby:
1. Reprimanded; the reprimand will expire 24 months from the date of this Order 
2. Fined £1000 

Consent