REPORT OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

S.B. No. 2363: Certified Public Accountants; amend regulatory laws of.

SECTION 1. Section 73-33-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-1. Any person residing or having a place for the regular transaction of business in the State of Mississippi being of good moral character, and who shall have received from the State Board of Public Accountancy a license certifying his qualifications as a certified public accountant as hereinafter provided, shall be styled or known as a certified public accountant, and it shall be unlawful for any other person or persons to assume such title or use any letters, abbreviations or words to indicate that such person using same is a certified public accountant, unless, at the discretion of the board, such person has been granted use of the title of "certified public

accountant retired" by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy or has received a reciprocal certified public accountant license from the State Board of Public Accountancy.

A certified public accountant practicing public accounting must be associated and registered with a certified public accountant firm, except a certified public accountant who is practicing as a sole proprietor not acting as a practice unit. A firm permit to practice public accounting shall not be issued to any individual(s) who does not hold a certified public accountant license or reciprocal certified public accountant license issued by the board.

In order to obtain and maintain a firm permit, a certified public accountant firm must meet the qualifications as set and determined by the board.

No person or persons shall engage in the practice of public accounting as defined herein as a partnership, joint venture or professional corporation, sole proprietor acting as a practice unit, or other business organization allowed by law, unless and until each business organization or office thereof has registered with and been issued a firm permit by the State Board of Public Accountancy.

SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 73-33-2, Mississippi Code of 1972:

73-33-2. For the purposes of this chapter, unless context requires otherwise:

(a) "Certified public accountant," "CPA," or "licensee" means an individual who holds a license issued by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy to practice public accounting, and the term "license" is used synonymously for the terms "certificate" or "certification."

(b) "Certified public accountant firm" or "CPA firm" means any professional corporation, partnership, joint venture, professional association, sole proprietor acting as a practice unit, or other business organization or office thereof allowable under state law and under the qualifications as set in the rules and regulations of the board maintained for the purpose of performing or offering to perform public accounting. "Sole proprietor acting as a practice unit" means a sole proprietor CPA who maintains an office full-time with professional accounting staff and holds himself out for the practice of accounting as a CPA.

(c) "Practice of, or practicing, CPA public accounting or CPA public accountancy" means the performance, the offering to perform, or maintaining an office by a person, persons or firm holding itself out to the public as certified public accountant(s) or CPA firm, for a client or potential client, or certified public accountant(s) or CPA firm performing one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including, but not limited to, the issuance of reports on financial statements, or of one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters.

(d) "Firm permit to practice public accounting" means a permit issued by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy permitting a certified public accountant firm to practice CPA public accounting, and "permit holder" means a certified public accountant firm holding such permit.

SECTION 3. Section 73-33-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-5. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy is hereby authorized with the following powers and duties:

(a) To adopt a seal;

(b) To govern its proceedings;

(c) To set the fees and to regulate the time, manner and place of conducting examinations to be held under this chapter. Beginning February 1, 1995, a total of one hundred fifty (150) collegiate-level semester hours of education including a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent at a college or university acceptable to the board shall be required in order to sit for the examination by candidates who have not previously sat for the examination. The * * * education program shall include an accounting concentration or the equivalent as determined by the board to be appropriate by rules and regulations. The examination shall cover * * * branches of knowledge pertaining to accountancy as the board may deem proper;

(d) To initiate investigations of certified public accountant and certified public accountant firm practices;

(e) To notify applicants who have failed an examination * * * of such failure and in what branch or branches deficiency was found;

(f) To adopt and enforce such rules and regulations concerning certified public accountant examinee and licensee qualifications and practices and certified public accountant firm permits and practices as the board considers necessary to maintain the highest standard of proficiency in the profession of certified public accounting and for the protection of the public interest. The standards of practice by certified public accountants and certified public accountant firms shall include generally accepted auditing and accounting standards as recognized by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy;

(g) To issue certified public accountant licenses under the signature and the official seal of the board as provided in this chapter; and to issue permits to practice public accounting to certified public accountant firms pursuant to such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the board;

(h) To employ personnel;

(i) To contract for services and rent; and

(j) To adopt and enforce all such rules and regulations as shall be necessary for the administration of this chapter; provided, however, no adoption or modification of any rules or regulations of the board shall become effective unless any final action of the board approving such adoption or modification shall occur at a time and place which is open to the public and for which notice by mail of such time and place and the rules and * * * regulations proposed to be adopted or modified has been given at least thirty (30) days prior thereto to every person who is licensed and registered with the board.

Each application or filing made under this section shall include the Social Security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 4. Section 73-33-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-7. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy is authorized to charge each applicant a fee for a certified public accountant license. However, a firm permit to practice public accounting shall be issued without the assessment of a fee by the board. All fees shall be in such amounts as to be determined by the board and paid when the application is filed.

On or before January 1 of each year * * *, each holder of a certified public accountant license issued by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy shall register and pay a reasonable annual registration fee in such amount as to be determined by the board. If any certified public accountant fails to register and pay the annual registration fee on or before January 1, notice of such default shall be sent to the certified public accountant by certified mail to the delinquent registrant's last known address as shown by the records of the board. The license of any certified public accountant who fails to register and pay the annual registration fee within ten (10) days after notice is given * * * shall be automatically cancelled, and the board shall enter the cancellation on its records.

On or before January 1 of each year, each certified public accountant firm holding a permit to practice public accounting shall register with the board without the assessment of a registration fee. If any firm fails to register on or before January 1, notice of such default shall be sent to the firm by certified mail to the firm's last known address as shown by the records of the board. The permit to practice of any firm who fails to register within ten (10) days after notice is given shall be automatically cancelled, and the board shall enter the cancellation on its records.

Any person who has lost a certified public accountant license or a firm which has lost a permit to practice in this state by failure to register or failure to pay the annual registration fee if so required under this section, or who voluntarily cancels or surrenders such license or permit, may be again * * * licensed or have a firm permit reinstated by the board without reexamination, provided such person or firm shall again comply with the requirements of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the board; file application for registration; and, if required to pay a fee under this section, pay all fees in arrears, late fees and a reinstatement fee as set by the board * * *.

Out of the funds collected under this chapter shall be paid the expenses of the members of the board, including mileage, hotel expenses and per diem compensation as provided in Section 25-3-69, for the time expended in carrying out the duties of the office; provided, however, no expense incurred by the board shall ever be charged against the funds of the state in excess of amounts collected under this section.

SECTION 5. Section 73-33-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-9. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy may, in its discretion, issue a reciprocal certified public accountant license to practice to any holder of any certified public accountant's certificate or license issued under the law of another state, which shall entitle the holder to use the abbreviation, "CPA," in this state provided that the state issuing the original certificate or license grants similar privileges to the certified public accountants of this state. The fee for a license shall be in such reasonable amount as * * * determined by the board. Such license shall not allow the holder thereof to engage in the practice of public accounting as a certified public accountant unless the holder meets the requirements of the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy.

SECTION 6. Section 73-33-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-11. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy may revoke, suspend or take other appropriate action with respect to any * * * license or permit issued pursuant to this chapter * * * for any unprofessional conduct by the licensee or permit holder, or for other sufficient cause, provided written notice shall have been sent by registered mail (with the addressee's receipt required) to the holder thereof, twenty (20) days before any hearing thereon, stating the cause for such contemplated action and appointing a day and a place for a full hearing thereon by said board, provided further, no certificate or license be cancelled or revoked until a hearing shall have been given to the holder thereof according to law. But, after such hearing, said board may, in its discretion, suspend such a certified public accountant from practice as a certified public accountant in this state * * *.

The members of the board are hereby empowered to sit as a trial board; to administer oaths (or affirmations); to summon any witness and to compel his attendance and/or his testimony, under oath (or affirmation) before the board; to compel the production before it, of any book, paper or document by the owner or custodian thereof; and/or to compel any officer to produce, at such hearing a copy of any public record (not privileged from public inspection by law) in his official custody, certified to, by him. The board shall elect one (1) of its members to serve as clerk, to issue summons and other processes, and to certify copies of its records or, the board may delegate such duties to the executive director.

The accused * * * may appear in person and/or by counsel or, in the instance of a firm permit holder through its manager and/or counsel to defend such charges. If the accused does not appear or answer, judgment may be entered by default, provided the board finds that proper service was made on the accused.

The minutes of the board shall be recorded in an appropriate minute book permanently maintained by the board at its office.

In a proceeding conducted under this section by the board for disciplinary action against a licensee or permit holder, those reasonable costs that are expended by the board in the investigation and conduct of a proceeding for discipline including, but not limited to, the cost of service of process, court reporters, expert witnesses, investigators and legal fees may be imposed by the board on the accused, the charging party or both.

Such costs shall be paid to the board upon the expiration of the period allowed for appeal of such penalties under this section, or may be paid sooner if the guilty party elects. Money collected by the board under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the board's special fund in the State Treasury. When payment of a monetary penalty assessed by the board under this section is not paid when due, the board shall have the power to institute and maintain proceedings in its name for enforcement of payment in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or in the Chancery Court of the county where the respondent resides.

In case of a decision adverse to the accused, appeal shall be made within thirty (30) days from the day on which decision is made * * * to the circuit court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or in the circuit court of the county in which the accused resides. In the case of a nonresident licensee, the appeal shall be made to the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi. The order of the board shall not take effect until the expiration of said thirty (30) days.

In case of an appeal, * * * bond for costs in the circuit court shall be given as in other cases; and the order of the board shall not take effect until such appeal has been finally disposed of by the court or courts.

The board may, at any time, reinstate a license or permit if it finds that such reinstatement is justified.

In addition to the reasons specified in the first paragraph of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. Actions taken by the board in suspending a license when required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 are not actions from which an appeal may be taken under this section. Any appeal of a license suspension that is required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 shall be taken in accordance with the appeal procedure specified in Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, rather than the procedure specified in this section. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

SECTION 7. Section 73-33-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-13. If any person shall: (a) falsely represent himself to the public as having received a certified public accountant license or falsely represent a firm in which he has an ownership interest to the public as having received a firm permit as provided in this chapter; or (b) falsely assume to practice as a certified public accountant; or (c) falsely use the abbreviation, "C.P.A.," or any similar words or word, letters or letter to indicate that the person using the same is a certified public accountant, without having received a certified public accountant license * * * as provided in this chapter; or (d) if any person having received a certified public accountant license and having lost such license by cancellation, revocation or suspension as provided by this chapter, shall continue to use the "CPA" abbreviation, use the words certified public accountant, or practice public accounting after losing his license; or (e) if any person shall represent that a CPA firm with a suspended or revoked permit in which he has an ownership interest is entitled to perform such practice--he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a criminal fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not longer than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court for each such an offense.

SECTION 8. Section 73-33-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-15. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, except a registered public accountant, who is associated and registered with a firm permit holder and/or for any firm, except for a certified public accountant firm that holds a valid CPA firm permit to practice public accounting issued pursuant to this chapter to:

(a) Issue, sign or permit his name or firm name to be associated with any report, transmittal letter or other written communication issued as a result of an examination of financial statements or financial information which contains either an expression of opinion or other attestation as to the fairness, accuracy or reliability of such financial statements;

(b) Offer to perform, or perform, for the public, public accounting, tax consulting or other accounting-related services while holding himself out as a certified public accountant or as a firm of certified public accountants or certified public accountant firm; or

(c) Maintain an office or other facility for the transaction of business as a certified public accountant or certified public accountant firm.

(2) Any person or firm violating subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and may, upon conviction therefor, be punished by a criminal fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall not be construed to apply to an attorney licensed to practice law in this state; to a person for making statements as to his own business; to an officer or salaried employee of a firm, partnership or corporation for making an internal audit, statement or tax return for the same; to a bookkeeper for making an internal audit, statement or tax return for his employer, whose books he regularly keeps for a salary; to a receiver, a trustee or fiduciary as to any statement or tax return with reference to the business or property entrusted to him as such; to any federal, state, county, district or municipal officer as to any audit, statement, or tax return made by him in the discharge of the duties of such office.

(4) Nothing in this section shall require a sole proprietor not acting as a practice unit to associate and register with a certified public accounting firm before engaging in the practice of public accounting.

SECTION 9. The following section shall be codified as Section 73-33-19, Mississippi Code of 1972:

73-33-19. Any person holding on July 1, 1999, a certificate without a license registered with the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy shall automatically receive a certified public accountant's license. After July 1, 1999, the board shall not issue certificates without licenses and shall issue licenses only as provided under the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATUS OF A RETIRED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT; TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT WHO IS PRACTICING PUBLIC ACCOUNTING BE ASSOCIATED AND REGISTERED WITH A CPA FIRM AND TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCH CPA FIRM; TO CODIFY SECTION 73-33-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA), CPA FIRM, CAPS PRACTICING PUBLIC ACCOUNTING, AND OTHER TERMS; AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT HOLD A SEPARATE LICENSE TO PRACTICE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY TO ISSUE PERMITS TO CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FIRMS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY TO CHARGE ANNUAL CERTIFICATE, LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE CERTAIN RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY MAY REVOKE, CANCEL OR SUSPEND CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND PERMITS OR TAKE OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST A REGISTRANT; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE IT A MISDEMEANOR TO REPRESENT THAT A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FIRM WITHOUT A CURRENT PERMIT IS LICENSED TO PRACTICE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING; TO AMEND SECTION 73-33-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT BE ASSOCIATED WITH A REGISTERED FIRM TO PRACTICE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING WITH A CERTAIN EXCEPTION; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 73-33-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON HOLDING A CERTIFICATE WITHOUT A LICENSE ON JULY 1, 1999, SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT'S LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.