Accountant ignored WCB issue for 6 months, now I have a $21K judgment and restraining notice on my business account
I own a single-shareholder S-corp in Brooklyn (just me, no employees). I'm exempt from NY Workers' Compensation coverage, which I've known and told my accountant about multiple times over the past 6+ months.
Instead of handling it, my accountant kept saying "don't worry, it's routine" and "no action needed." I asked him three separate times to clear this up with the state.
Now I have:
- A $21,000 judgment entered against my company (April 2, 2026)
- A Restraining Notice to Judgment Debtor served on me (April 10, 2026)
- My bank accounts at risk of being frozen up to $42,000
- A restraining notice that cites CPLR 5222 (post-judgment enforcement)
I'm consulting with an attorney Monday, but I'm also looking ahead, has anyone dealt with a similar WCB situation? Should I be looking for a new accountant? What should I be asking a lawyer about on Monday?
Thanks in advance.