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S.B. 163 Enrolled
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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
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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.
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69 58-26a-201 .
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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 [
73 accountant under prior law or this chapter.
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75 entity holding a valid registration as a Certified Public Accountant firm under this chapter.
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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.
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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.
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88 (a) accounting experience; or
89 (b) professional experience[
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92 chapter.
93 (11) "NASBA" means the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
94 (12) "PCAOB" means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
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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.
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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.
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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[
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122 liability company, or partnership engaged in the practice of public accountancy.
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124 education that contributes directly to the professional competence of a certified public
125 accountant.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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200 58-26a-502 and as may be further defined by rule.
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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:
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231 examining the applicant's competence and qualifications for licensure; and
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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
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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
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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 ;
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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
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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:
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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;
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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
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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:
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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;
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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;
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350 returns, management advisory services, and the preparation of financial statements without the
351 issuance of reports; or
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353 person licensed under this chapter, working under the supervision of a licensee, if:
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355 firm represents that the unlicensed person is a certified public accountant; and
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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 [
374 (a) has a current license as a certified public accountant issued under this chapter; or
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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)[
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[
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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.
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