WSR 97-22-076

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

[Filed November 4, 1997, 3:42 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 4-25-551 Duty to respond to board inquiry.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.04.055.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The existing rule requires "licensees" to respond to board inquiry. RCW 18.04.025 defines a licensee as one who holds a valid license. Licensees represent approximately one half of the total number of persons currently under the authority of the Board of Accountancy. RCW 18.04.295 allows the board to take action against a "certificate public accountant" for failure to cooperate with the board by not responding to board inquiry. Under current board policy, the board requires all "certificate holders" (not just licensees) to respond to board inquiry. Amendment will clarify the rule to include all persons under the authority of the Board of Accountancy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by writing to Dana M. McInturff, Executive Director, Washington State Board of Accountancy, P.O. Box 9131, Olympia, WA 98507-9131, (360) 664-9194, FAX (360) 664-9190, e-mail 103124.2013@compuserve.com.

October 22, 1997

Dana M. McInturff