WSR 97-22-077

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

[Filed November 4, 1997, 3:43 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 4-25-620 Integrity and objectivity.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.04.055(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The existing rule requires Washington certified public accountants to be free of conflicts of interest unless such conflicts are specifically permitted by board rule or professional standards. Board rules and professional standards conflict in some areas such as compensation. Amendment to the rule will clarify that, where conflicts exist between a board rule and a professional standard, board rule prevails. The goal of the amendment is to: Promote clarity, ensure effective communication, ensure fairness in interpretation and application of the rule, promote efficiencies through minimizing gray areas, and address the need to protect the public through regulation of the practice of public accountancy and enhancing the reliability of information.

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 31, 1997

Dana M. McInturff