A hearing in respect of a Formal Allegation against Mr O'Connor, a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland ("the Institute"), with an address in Bray, Co Wicklow was heard before a Disciplinary Tribunal on Friday 25 January 2019. The Disciplinary Tribunal made the following findings and Orders;
The Disciplinary Tribunal found that Mr. Jonathan O'Connor, a member of the Institute in practice at Grimes & O'Connor, 1 Royal Marine Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow did act in breach of the Institute's Code of Ethics for Members: Fundamental Principles: (a) Integrity, (b) Objectivity, (c) Professional Competence and Due Care and (e) Professional Behaviour by:
- failing to carry out the liquidations of two companies in a timely manner;
- failing to provide annual updates to the Registrar of Companies in relation to the liquidations of two companies in accordance with legislation;
- failing to carry out liquidations of two companies in a proper manner and not taking appropriate action concerning matters impacting the liquidations;
- indicating during an investigation by his regulatory authority that the liquidations had been completed when that was not the case.
In respect of paragraph (4) of the Formal Allegation above the Conduct Committee advised the Tribunal and the Tribunal accepted that there was no deliberate attempt on the part of the Member to mislead the Investigating Officer that the liquidations had been completed when that was not the case.
The Disciplinary Tribunal found the Formal Allegation proven and ordered that the member be severely reprimanded and fined €8,000 and that he pay €15,000 towards the costs of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Reference: Karen Jones, Gibney Communications
Ph: 01 6610 402