Download Zipped Enrolled WordPerfect SB0163.ZIP
[Introduced][Amended][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]
S.B. 163 Enrolled
1
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
2
LICENSING ACT AMENDMENTS
3
2008 GENERAL SESSION
4
STATE OF UTAH
5
Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
6
House Sponsor:
Ron Bigelow
7
8
LONG TITLE
9
General Description:
10
This bill modifies provisions of the Certified Public Accountant Licensing Act related to
11
exemptions from licensure to practice public accountancy in this state.
12
Highlighted Provisions:
13
This bill:
14
. modifies the licensure by endorsement provisions for a certified public accountant by
15
limiting its application to only those persons seeking to obtain a license issued by the
16
state;
17
. provides a mobility provision for licensed certified public accountants by creating an
18
exemption from licensure for a person licensed as a certified public accountant by
19
any other state, district, or territory of the United States whose principal place of
20
business is not in Utah, and:
21
. who is licensed from a state which the National Association of State Boards of
22
Accountancy National Qualification Appraisal Service has verified to be
23
substantially equivalent to the CPA licensure requirements of the Uniform
24
Accountancy Act; or
25
. is from a state not verified by the National Qualification Appraisal Service, but
26
the person is able to obtain that verification from the service and meet other
27
requirements as a condition for receiving the exemption;
28
. modifies certified public accountancy unlawful conduct and unprofessional conduct
29
provisions;
30
. eliminates obsolete transition provisions for education and licensure and updates
31
professional and technical definitions; and
32
. makes certain technical changes.
33
Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
34
None
35
Other Special Clauses:
36
None
37
Utah Code Sections Affected:
38
AMENDS:
39
58-26a-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
40
58-26a-302, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
41
58-26a-304, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
42
58-26a-305, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
43
58-26a-501, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
44
58-26a-502, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 261
45
46
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
47
Section 1.
Section
58-26a-102
is amended to read:
48
58-26a-102. Definitions.
49
In addition to the definitions in Section
58-1-102
, as used in this chapter:
50
(1) "Accounting experience" means applying accounting and auditing skills and
51
principles that are taught as a part of the professional education qualifying a person for licensure
52
under this chapter and generally accepted by the profession, under the supervision of a licensed
53
certified public accountant.
54
(2) "AICPA" means the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
55
(3) (a) "Attest and attestation engagement" means providing any or all of the following
56
financial statement services:
57
(i) an audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with the Statements on
58
Auditing Standards (SAS);
59
(ii) a review of a financial statement to be performed in accordance with the Statements
60
on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS);
61
(iii) an examination of prospective financial information to be performed in accordance
62
with the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE); or
63
(iv) an engagement to be performed in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.
64
(b) The standards specified in this definition shall be adopted by reference by the
65
division under its rulemaking authority in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
66
Administrative Rulemaking Act, and shall be those developed for general application by
67
recognized national accountancy organizations such as the AICPA and the PCAOB.
68
[(2)] (4) "Board" means the Utah Board of Accountancy created in Section
69
58-26a-201
.
70
[(3)] (5) "Certified Public Accountant" or "CPA" means an individual currently licensed
71
by this state or any other state, district, or territory of the United States of America to practice
72
public accountancy or who has been granted a [certificate] license as a certified public
73
accountant under prior law or this chapter.
74
[(4)] (6) "Certified Public Accountant firm" or "CPA firm" means a qualified business
75
entity holding a valid registration as a Certified Public Accountant firm under this chapter.
76
[(5)] (7) "Client" means the person who retains a licensee for the performance of one or
77
more of the services included in the definition of the practice of public accountancy. "Client"
78
does not include a CPA's employer when the licensee works in a salaried or hourly rate position.
79
[(6)] (8) "Compilation [of financial statements]" means [the presentation in the form of
80
financial statements of information that is the representation of management or owners
81
accompanied by a report stating the compilation has been performed in accordance with
82
standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants] providing a
83
service to be performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and
84
Review Services (SSARS) that is presenting in the form of financial statements, information that
85
is the representation of management or owners, without undertaking to express any assurance
86
on the statements.
87
[(7)] (9) "Experience" means:
88
(a) accounting experience; or
89
(b) professional experience[; or].
90
[(c) qualifying experience.]
91
[(8)] (10) "Licensee" means the holder of a current valid license issued under this
92
chapter.
93
(11) "NASBA" means the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
94
(12) "PCAOB" means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
95
[(9)] (13) "Practice of public accounting" means the offer to perform or the
96
performance by a person holding himself out as a certified public accountant of one or more
97
kinds of services involving the use of auditing or accounting skills including the issuance of
98
reports or opinions on financial statements, performing attestation engagements, the
99
performance of one or more kinds of advisory or consulting services, or the preparation of tax
100
returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters for a client.
101
[(10)] (14) "Peer review" means a study, appraisal, or review of one or more aspects of
102
the professional work of a person or qualified business entity in the practice of public
103
accountancy, by a licensee or any other qualified person in accordance with rules adopted
104
pursuant to this chapter and who is not affiliated with the person or qualified business entity
105
being reviewed.
106
(15) "Principal place of business" means the office location designated by the licensee
107
for purposes of substantial equivalency and licensure by endorsement.
108
[(11)] (16) "Professional experience" means experience lawfully obtained while licensed
109
as a certified public accountant in another jurisdiction, recognized by rule, in the practice of
110
public accountancy performed for a client, which includes expression of assurance or opinion[,
111
for at least 300 hours collectively in the following areas:].
112
[(a) applying Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to the usual and
113
customary financial transactions recorded in the accounting records;]
114
[(b) preparing audit working papers in accordance with GAAS covering the
115
examination of the accounts usually found in accounting records;]
116
[(c) planning the audit scope in accordance with GAAS, including the audit program to
117
be followed;]
118
[(d) preparing written explanations and comments on the findings of the examination
119
and on the content of the accounting records; and]
120
[(e) preparing and analyzing financial statements in accordance with GAAS.]
121
[(12)] (17) "Qualified business entity" means a sole proprietorship, corporation, limited
122
liability company, or partnership engaged in the practice of public accountancy.
123
[(13)] (18) "Qualified continuing professional education" means a formal program of
124
education that contributes directly to the professional competence of a certified public
125
accountant.
126
[(14)] (19) "Qualifying examinations" means:
127
(a) the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination;
128
(b) the AICPA Examination of Professional Ethics for CPAs;
129
(c) the Utah Laws and Rules Examination; and
130
(d) any other examination approved by the board and adopted by the division by rule in
131
accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
132
[(15) "Qualifying experience" means experience in the practice of public accountancy
133
under the direction and supervision of a licensed certified public accountant performed for a
134
client, which includes expression of assurance or opinion, for at least 300 hours collectively in
135
the following areas:]
136
[(a) applying Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to the usual and
137
customary financial transactions recorded in the accounting records;]
138
[(b) preparing audit working papers in accordance with GAAS covering the
139
examination of the accounts usually found in accounting records;]
140
[(c) planning the audit scope in accordance with GAAS, including the audit program to
141
be followed;]
142
[(d) preparing written explanations and comments on the findings of the examination
143
and on the content of the accounting records; and]
144
[(e) preparing and analyzing financial statements in accordance with GAAS.]
145
[(16)] (20) (a) "Report" means:
146
(i) when used with reference to financial statements, an opinion, report or other form of
147
language that:
148
(A) states or implies assurance as to the reliability of any financial statements; or
149
(B) implies that the person or firm issuing it has special knowledge or competence in
150
accounting or auditing and specifically includes compilations and reviews; such an implication of
151
special knowledge or competence may arise from use by the issuer of the report of names or
152
titles indicating that the person or firm is a public accountant or auditor, or from the language of
153
the report itself; or
154
(ii) any disclaimer of opinion when it is conventionally understood to imply any positive
155
assurance as to the reliability of the financial statements referred to or language suggesting
156
special competence on the part of the person or firm issuing such language; and it includes any
157
other form of language that is conventionally understood to imply such assurance or such
158
special knowledge or competence.
159
(b) "Report" does not include a financial statement prepared by an unlicensed person if:
160
(i) that financial statement has a cover page which includes essentially the following
161
language: "I (we) have prepared the accompanying financial statements of (name of entity) as of
162
(time period) for the (period) then ended. This presentation is limited to preparing, in the form
163
of financial statements, information that is the representation of management (owners). I (we)
164
have not audited or reviewed the accompanying financial statements and accordingly do not
165
express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them."; and
166
(ii) the cover page and any related footnotes do not use the terms "compilation,"
167
"review," "audit," "generally accepted auditing standards," "generally accepted accounting
168
principles," or other similar terms.
169
[(17)] (21) "Review of financial statements" means performing inquiry and analytical
170
procedures which provide a reasonable basis for expressing limited assurance that there are no
171
material modifications that should be made to the statements in order for them to be in
172
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or, if applicable, with another
173
comprehensive basis of accounting; and, the issuance of a report on the financial statements
174
stating that a review was performed in accordance with the standards established by the
175
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
176
[(18)] (22) (a) "Substantial equivalency" means [that the education, examination, and
177
experience required by another jurisdiction are comparable to or exceed the education,
178
examination, and experience requirements of this chapter, or that an individual's education,
179
examination, and experience qualifications are comparable to or exceed the education,
180
examination, and experience requirements of this chapter.] a determination by the division in
181
collaboration with the board or its designee that:
182
(i) the education, examination, and experience requirements set forth in the statutes and
183
administrative rules of another jurisdiction are comparable to or exceed the education,
184
examination, and experience requirements set forth in the Uniform Accountancy Act; or
185
(ii) an individual CPA's education, examination, and experience qualifications are
186
comparable to or exceed the education, examination, and experience requirements set forth in
187
the Uniform Accountancy Act.
188
(b) In ascertaining whether an individual's qualifications are substantially equivalent as
189
used in this chapter, the division in collaboration with the board shall take into account the
190
qualifications without regard to the sequence in which the education, examination, and
191
experience requirements were attained.
192
[(b) "Substantial equivalency" is determined by the board in accordance with rules made
193
by the division in collaboration with the board.]
194
(23) "Uniform Accountancy Act" means the model public accountancy legislation
195
developed and promulgated by national accounting and regulatory associations that contains
196
standardized definitions and regulations for the practice of public accounting as recognized by
197
the division in collaboration with the board.
198
[(19)] (24) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections
58-1-501
and
58-26a-501
.
199
[(20)] (25) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections
58-1-501
and
200
58-26a-502
and as may be further defined by rule.
201
[(21)] (26) "Year of experience" means 2,000 hours of cumulative experience.
202
Section 2.
Section
58-26a-302
is amended to read:
203
58-26a-302. Qualifications for licensure and registration -- Licensure by
204
endorsement -- Transitional provisions.
205
(1) Each applicant for licensure under this chapter as a certified public accountant shall:
206
(a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
207
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section
63-38-3.2
;
208
(c) show evidence of good moral character;
209
(d) submit a certified transcript of credits from an accredited institution acceptable to
210
the board showing:
211
(i) successful completion of a total of 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours of
212
collegiate level education with a concentration in accounting, auditing, and business;
213
(ii) a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent at a college or university approved by the
214
board; and
215
(iii) compliance with any other education requirements established by rule by the
216
division in collaboration with the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
217
Administrative Rulemaking Act;
218
(e) submit evidence of one year of accounting experience in a form prescribed by the
219
division;
220
(f) submit evidence of having successfully completed the qualifying examinations in
221
accordance with Section
58-26a-306
; and
222
(g) submit to an interview by the board, if requested, for the purpose of examining the
223
applicant's competence and qualifications for licensure.
224
(2) (a) The division may issue a license under this chapter to a person who holds a
225
license as a certified public accountant issued by any other jurisdiction of the United States of
226
America if the applicant for licensure by endorsement:
227
[(a)] (i) submits an application in a form prescribed by the division;
228
[(b)] (ii) pays a fee determined by the department under Section
63-38-3.2
;
229
[(c)] (iii) shows evidence of good moral character;
230
[(d)] (iv) submits to an interview by the board, if requested, for the purpose of
231
examining the applicant's competence and qualifications for licensure; and
232
[(e) (i) (A)] (v) (A) (I) shows evidence of having passed the qualifying examinations;
233
and
234
[(B) (I)] (II) (Aa) meets the requirements for licensure which were applicable in this
235
state at the time of the issuance of the applicant's license by the jurisdiction from which the
236
original licensure by satisfactorily passing the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination was issued; or
237
[(II)] (Bb) had [five] four years of professional experience after passing the AICPA
238
Uniform CPA Examination upon which the original license was based, within the ten years
239
immediately preceding the application for licensure by endorsement; or
240
[(ii)] (B) shows evidence that the applicant's education, examination record, and
241
experience are substantially equivalent to the requirements of Subsection (1), as provided by
242
rule.
243
(b) This Subsection (2) applies only to a person seeking to obtain a license issued by
244
this state and does not apply to a person practicing as a certified public accountant in the state
245
under Subsection
58-26a-305
(1).
246
(3) (a) Each applicant for registration as a Certified Public Accountant firm shall:
247
(i) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
248
(ii) pay a fee determined by the department under Section
63-38-3.2
;
249
[(iii) have a CPA license under this chapter held by:]
250
[(A) its proprietor, in the case of a sole proprietorship;]
251
[(B) one of its general partners, managers, or members, in the case of a partnership or
252
limited liability company;]
253
[(C) one of its officers or shareholders, in the case of a corporation; or]
254
[(D) one of its owners, in the case of any other type of qualified business entity;]
255
[(iv) designate a CPA licensee who is responsible for on site supervision of operations
256
of the CPA firm; and]
257
(iii) have, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a simple majority of the
258
ownership of the Certified Public Accountant firm, in terms of financial interests and voting
259
rights of all partners, officers, shareholders, members, or managers, held by individuals who are
260
certified public accountants, licensed under this chapter or another jurisdiction of the United
261
States of America, and the partners, officers, shareholders, members, or managers, whose
262
principal place of business is in this state, and who perform professional services in this state
263
hold a valid license issued under Subsection
58-26a-301
(2) or the corresponding provisions of
264
prior law; and
265
[(v)] (iv) meet any other requirements established by rule by the division in
266
collaboration with the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
267
Rulemaking Act[;].
268
(b) Each separate location of a qualified business entity within the state seeking
269
registration as a Certified Public Accountant firm shall register separately.
270
(c) A Certified Public Accountant firm may include owners who are not licensed under
271
this chapter as outlined in Subsection (3)(a)(iii), provided that:
272
[(i) more than 50% of the ownership of the Certified Public Accountant firm, including
273
financial interest and voting rights in the firm, is held by individuals who are Certified Public
274
Accountants, licensed under this chapter or another jurisdiction of the United States; and]
275
(i) the firm designates a licensee of this state who is responsible for the proper
276
registration of the Certified Public Accountant firm and identifies that individual to the division;
277
and
278
(ii) all nonlicensed owners are active individual participants in the CPA firm.
279
[(4) An individual shall have until July 1, 2004, to obtain three years of qualifying
280
experience for licensure without being required to complete the education requirement if that
281
individual:]
282
[(a) was approved to take the qualifying examinations prior to July 1, 1994, under prior
283
law without completion of the education requirement; and]
284
[(b) (i) passed the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination prior to July 1, 1994; or]
285
[(ii) received conditional credits on the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination prior to July
286
1, 1994, and subsequently passed all parts of the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination within six
287
immediately successive examination administrations.]
288
Section 3.
Section
58-26a-304
is amended to read:
289
58-26a-304. Continuing education.
290
(1) As a condition precedent for a license renewal, each licensee shall, during each
291
two-year licensure cycle or other cycle defined by rule, complete 80 hours of qualified
292
continuing professional education in accordance with standards defined by rule.
293
(2) If a renewal cycle is extended or shortened under Section
58-26a-303
, the
294
continuing education hours required for license renewal under this section shall be increased or
295
decreased proportionally.
296
(3) (a) A licensee may request a waiver of the requirements of Subsection (1) for a
297
period not exceeding three years by:
298
(i) submitting an application for waiver in a form approved by the division; and
299
(ii) demonstrating that the licensee will be engaged in activities or be subject to
300
circumstances which prevent the licensee from meeting the requirements of Subsection (1)
301
during the period of the waiver.
302
(b) An application for waiver shall be granted upon a showing of good cause.
303
(c) A licensee who is granted a waiver under this section shall complete 30 hours of
304
continuing professional education within the six months immediately following the expiration of
305
the waiver [than] that includes at least 16 hours of continuing professional education focusing
306
on auditing and accounting.
307
Section 4.
Section
58-26a-305
is amended to read:
308
58-26a-305. Exemptions from licensure.
309
(1) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section
58-1-307
, the following may
310
engage in acts included within the definition of the practice of public accountancy, subject to the
311
stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed under this chapter:
312
[(1)] (a) a person licensed by any other state, district, or territory of the United States
313
[or any foreign country] as a certified public accountant or its equivalent under any other title
314
while [temporarily] practicing in this state if:
315
[(a) the practice is incidental to that person's regular practice outside of this state; and]
316
[(b) if that person's temporary practice within this state is in conformity with this
317
chapter and rules established under this chapter;]
318
(i) the person's principal place of business is not in this state; and
319
(A) the person's license as a certified public accountant is from any state which the
320
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) National Qualification
321
Appraisal Service has verified to be substantially equivalent to the CPA licensure requirements
322
of the Uniform Accountancy Act; or
323
(B) the person's license as a certified public accountant is from a state which the
324
NASBA National Qualification Appraisal Service has not verified to be substantially equivalent
325
to the CPA licensure requirements of the Uniform Accountancy Act and the person obtains
326
from the NASBA National Qualification Appraisal Service verification that the person's CPA
327
qualifications are substantially equivalent to the CPA licensure requirements of the Uniform
328
Accountancy Act and Subsection
58-26a-302
(1)(d)(i); and
329
(ii) the person consents, as a condition of the grant of this privilege:
330
(A) to personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the division;
331
(B) to comply with this chapter and the rules made under this chapter;
332
(C) that in the event the license from the state of the person's principal place of business
333
becomes invalid, the person shall cease offering or rendering professional services in this state
334
both individually and on behalf of the firm; and
335
(D) to the appointment of the state board which issued the person's license as the
336
person's agent upon whom process may be served in an action or proceeding brought by the
337
division against the licensee;
338
(b) through December 31, 2012, a person licensed by any other state, district, or
339
territory of the United States as a certified public accountant or its equivalent under another title
340
while practicing in this state if:
341
(i) the person does not qualify for a practice privilege under Subsection (1)(a);
342
(ii) the practice is incidental to the person's regular practice outside of this state; and
343
(iii) the person's temporary practice within the state is in conformity with this chapter
344
and the rules established under this chapter;
345
[(2)] (c) an officer, member, partner, or employee of any entity or organization who
346
signs any statement or report in reference to the financial affairs of the entity or organization
347
with a designation of that person's position within the entity or organization;
348
[(3)] (d) a public official or employee while performing his official duties;
349
[(4)] (e) a person using accounting or auditing skills, including the preparation of tax
350
returns, management advisory services, and the preparation of financial statements without the
351
issuance of reports; or
352
[(5)] (f) an employee of a CPA firm registered under this chapter or an assistant to a
353
person licensed under this chapter, working under the supervision of a licensee, if:
354
[(a)] (i) neither the employee or assistant nor the licensed employer or registered CPA
355
firm represents that the unlicensed person is a certified public accountant; and
356
[(b)] (ii) no accounting or financial statements are issued over the unlicensed person's
357
name[; and].
358
[(6) a person licensed as a public accountant for a period of not less than 20 years as of
359
July 1, 1981, if that person's license was current as of April 23, 1990.]
360
(2) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who qualifies under
361
Subsection (1)(a) has all the privileges of a licensee of this state and may engage in acts included
362
within the definition of the practice of public accountancy, whether in person or by mail,
363
telephone, or electronic means, based on a practice privilege in this state, and no notice, fee, or
364
other submission shall be provided by that person.
365
(b) The division may revoke, suspend, or restrict an exemption granted under
366
Subsection (1)(a) or (b), or place on probation or issue a public or private reprimand to a
367
person exempted under those subsections for the reasons set forth in Subsection
58-1-401
(2).
368
Section 5.
Section
58-26a-501
is amended to read:
369
58-26a-501. Unlawful conduct.
370
"Unlawful conduct" includes:
371
(1) using "certified public accountant," "public accountant," "CPA," or any other title,
372
designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person
373
is a certified public accountant, unless that person [has]:
374
(a) has a current license as a certified public accountant issued under this chapter; or
375
[(b) (i) a current license or certificate as a certified public accountant issued by any
376
jurisdiction of the United States; and]
377
[(ii) (A) the use in this state is incidental to primary services being lawfully performed
378
outside of this state; or]
379
[(B) the division has entered into a reciprocal agreement with that jurisdiction to
380
recognize the license issued by that jurisdiction;]
381
(b) qualifies for a practice privilege as provided for in Subsection
58-26a-305
(1);
382
(2) a firm assuming or using "certified public accountant," "CPA," or any other title,
383
designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the firm is
384
composed of certified public accountants unless each office of the firm in this state:
385
(a) is registered with the division; and
386
(b) meets the requirements of Subsections
58-26a-302
(3)(a)(iii)[, (iv),] and [(v)] (iv);
387
(3) signing or affixing to any accounting or financial statement the person's name or any
388
trade or assumed name used in that person's profession or business, with any wording indicating
389
that the person is an auditor, or with any wording indicating that the person has expert
390
knowledge in accounting or auditing, unless that person is licensed under this chapter and all of
391
the person's offices in this state for the practice of public accountancy are maintained and
392
registered as provided in this chapter; and
393
(4) except as provided in Section
58-26a-305
, engaging in the following conduct if not
394
licensed under this chapter to practice public accountancy:
395
(a) issuing a report on financial statements of any other person, firm, organization, or
396
governmental unit; or
397
(b) issuing a report using any form of language substantially similar to conventional
398
language used by licensees respecting:
399
(i) a review of financial statements; or
400
(ii) a compilation of financial statements.
401
Section 6.
Section
58-26a-502
is amended to read:
402
58-26a-502. Unprofessional conduct.
403
(1) "Unprofessional conduct" includes:
404
(a) undertaking an engagement when the licensee knows or should know that the
405
licensee could not reasonably expect to complete it with professional competence;
406
(b) making unauthorized disclosures of confidential information obtained in the practice
407
of public accountancy;
408
(c) engaging in any business or activity that creates a conflict of interest with a
409
licensee's practice in the profession when the licensee knows or should know that it is a conflict
410
of interest and the licensee does not fully disclose the conflict of interest in writing to all
411
affected parties;
412
(d) failing to meet the requirements for continuing professional education or peer
413
review required under this chapter; or
414
(e) issuing a report on financial statements of a client, other than a report in which a
415
lack of independence is disclosed, or performing an attest engagement subject to the attestation
416
standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants when the licensee is not
417
independent, in fact and appearance, to the client[; or].
418
[(f) receiving compensation, including a commission, for referring or selling services or
419
products of others to a client during the period:]
420
[(i) that the licensee or CPA firm is engaged by the client for purposes of:]
421
[(A) an audit or review of a financial statement;]
422
[(B) a compilation of a financial statement when the licensee or his firm expects, or
423
reasonably might expect, that a third party will use the financial statement and the compilation
424
report and the report does not describe a lack of independence; or]
425
[(C) an examination of prospective financial information; or]
426
[(ii) covered by any historical financial statements involved with any of the services
427
listed in Subsection (1)(f)(i).]
428
[(2) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1)(f), a licensee or CPA firm that
429
is not prohibited by Subsection (1)(f) from receiving other compensation, including a
430
commission, may receive or agree to receive that other compensation for referral or sale of
431
services or products of others to another person if:]
432
[(i) he discloses in writing the nature, source, and amount of all other compensation
433
prior to making the referral or sale by the licensee or CPA firm; and]
434
[(ii) the receipt of the compensation complies with all of the other requirements of this
435
section.]
436
[(b) Subsection (1)(f) does not apply to payments received from the sale of an
437
accounting practice or to retirement payments to persons formerly engaged in the practice of
438
public accountancy.]
439
(2) (a) A licensee may not, for a commission, recommend or refer to a client a product
440
or service, or for a commission recommend or refer a product or service to be supplied by a
441
client, or receive a commission, when the licensee also performs for that client:
442
(i) an audit or review of a financial statement;
443
(ii) a compilation of a financial statement when the licensee expects, or reasonably
444
might expect, that a third party will use the financial statement and the licensee's compilation
445
report does not disclose a lack of independence; or
446
(iii) an examination of prospective financial information.
447
(b) The prohibition under Subsection (2)(a) applies during:
448
(i) the period in which the licensee is engaged to perform any of the services listed in
449
Subsection (2)(a); and
450
(ii) the period covered by any historical financial statements involved in any such listed
451
services.
452
(c) A licensee who is not prohibited under Subsection (2)(a) from performing services
453
or receiving a commission and who is paid or expects to be paid a commission shall disclose
454
that fact to any person or entity to whom the licensee recommends or refers a product or
455
service to which the commission relates.
456
(d) A licensee who accepts a referral fee for recommending or referring a service of a
457
licensee to a person or entity or who pays a referral fee to obtain a client shall disclose the
458
acceptance or payment to the client.
459
(3) (a) A licensee may not:
460
(i) perform for a contingent fee a professional service for, or receive a contingent fee
461
from a client for whom the licensee or the licensee's firm performs:
462
(A) an audit or review of a financial statement;
463
(B) a compilation of a financial statement when the licensee expects, or reasonably
464
might expect, that a third party will use the financial statement and the licensee's compilation
465
report does not disclose a lack of independence; or
466
(C) an examination of prospective financial information; or
467
(ii) prepare an original or amended tax return or claim for a tax refund for a contingent
468
fee for a client.
469
(b) The prohibition in Subsection (3)(a) applies during:
470
(i) the period in which the licensee is engaged to perform any of the services listed in
471
Subsection (3)(a); and
472
(ii) the period covered by any historical financial statements involved in the listed
473
services.
474
(c) Except as stated in Subsections (3)(d) and (e), a contingent fee is a fee established
475
for the performance of a service pursuant to an arrangement in which no fee will be charged
476
unless a specified finding or result is attained, or in which the amount of the fee is otherwise
477
dependent upon the finding or result of the service.
478
(d) Solely for the purposes of this Subsection (3), fees are not regarded as being
479
contingent if fixed by courts or other public authorities, or in tax matters, if determined based
480
on the results of judicial proceedings or the findings of a governmental agency.
481
(e) A licensee's fee may vary depending, for example, on the complexity of service
482
rendered.
[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]