H-3279

AN ACT Relating to accounting; amending RCW 18.04.015, 18.04.025, 18.04.035, 18.04.045, 18.04.055, 18.04.065, 18.04.105, 18.04.180, 18.04.205, 18.04.215, 18.04.295, 18.04.305, 18.04.335, 18.04.345, 18.04.350, 18.04.390, and 18.04.405; and adding a new section to chapter 18.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.04.015 and 1983 c 234 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) It is the policy of this state and the purpose of this chapter:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) To promote the dependability of information which is used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing the status or performance of commercial and noncommercial enterprises, whether public, private or governmental; and

((~~(2)~~)) (b) To protect the public interest by requiring that:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) Persons ((~~engaged in the practice of public accounting be qualified~~)) who hold themselves out to the public as certified public accountants who offer to perform, or perform for clients, professional services, including but not limited to one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including the issuance of audit reports, review of compilation reports on financial statements, or one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services, the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters, perform such services in a competent and professional manner;

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) A public authority be established that is competent to prescribe and assess the qualifications of certified public accountants ((~~be established~~)), including certificate holders who are not licensed for the practice of public accounting;

((~~(c)~~)) (iii) Persons other than certified public accountants refrain from using the words "audit," "review," and "compilation" when designating a report customarily prepared by someone knowledgeable in accounting; and

((~~(d)~~)) (iv) The use of accounting titles likely to confuse the public be prohibited.

(2) The purpose of chapter ..., Laws of 1992 (this act), revising provisions of chapter 234, Laws of 1983, is to clarify the authority of the board of accountancy with respect to the activities of persons holding certificates under this chapter and, furthermore, to in no way restrict or limit the activities of persons not holding certificates under this chapter except as otherwise specifically restricted or limited by chapter 234, Laws of 1983.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.04.025 and 1986 c 295 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the board of accountancy created by RCW 18.04.035.

(2) "Certified public accountant" or "CPA" means a person holding a certified public accountant certificate ((~~issued under this chapter or the accountancy act of any state~~)).

(3) "State" includes the states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.

(4) "((~~Opinions~~)) Reports on financial statements" ((~~are~~)) means any reports or opinions prepared by certified public accountants, based on ((~~examinations~~)) services performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, standards for attestation engagements, or standards for accounting and review services as to whether the presentation of information used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing the status or performance of commercial and noncommercial enterprises, whether public, private, or governmental, conforms with generally accepted accounting principles or other comprehensive bases of accounting.

(5) The "practice of public accounting" means performing ((~~services as one skilled in the knowledge and practice of public accounting and preparing reports designated as "audit reports," "review reports," and "compilation reports."~~)) or offering to perform by a person or firm holding itself out to the public as a licensee, for a client or potential client, one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including the issuance of audit, review, or compilation reports on financial statements, or 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. Except for the issuance of "audit reports," "review reports," or "compilation reports" on financial statements, nothing in this subsection shall apply to restrict or prohibit persons not holding certificates or firms not licensed under this chapter from performing any services, including but not limited to, providing management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. The "practice of public accounting" shall not include practices that are permitted under the provisions of RCW 18.04.350(6) by persons or firms not required to be licensed under this chapter.

(6) "Firm" means a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or a partnership.

(7) "CPE" means continuing professional education.

(8) "Certificate" means a certificate as a certified public accountant issued under this chapter, or a corresponding certificate issued by another state or foreign jurisdiction that is recognized in accordance with the reciprocity provisions of RCW 18.04.180 and section 18 of this act.

(9) "Licensee" means the holder of ((~~a certificate who also holds~~)) a valid license issued under this chapter.

(10) "License" means a biennial license to practice public accountancy issued to an individual or firm under this chapter.

(11) "Quality assurance review" means a process established by and conducted at the direction of the board of study, appraisal, or review of one or more aspects of the professional work of a person or firm in the practice of public accountancy, by a person or persons who hold certificates and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed.

(12) "Quality review" means a study, appraisal, or review of one or more aspects of the professional work of a person or firm in the practice of public accountancy, by a person or persons who hold certificates and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed, including a peer review, or any internal review or inspection intended to comply with quality control policies and procedures, but not including the "quality assurance review" under subsection (11) of this section.

(13) "Review committee" means any person carrying out, administering or overseeing a quality review authorized by the reviewee.

(14) "Rule" means any rule adopted by the board under authority of this chapter.

(15) "Holding out" means any representation to the public by the use of restricted titles as set forth in RCW 18.04.345 by a person or firm that the person or firm is a certified public accountant and that the person or firm offers to perform any professional services to the public as a certified public accountant. "Holding out" shall not affect or limit a person not required to hold a certificate under this chapter or a person or firm not required to hold a license under this chapter from engaging in practices that are not prohibited by RCW 18.04.350(6).

Sec. 3. RCW 18.04.035 and 1986 c 295 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is created a board of accountancy for the state of Washington to be known as the Washington state board of accountancy. The board shall consist of ((~~five~~)) seven members appointed by the governor. Members of the board shall include four persons who hold valid certified public accountant certificates and have been in public practice as certified public accountants in this state continuously for the previous ten years and two persons who have held a valid certified public accountant's certificate in this state for at least ten years. The ((~~fifth~~)) seventh member shall be the public member and shall be a person who is qualified to judge whether the qualifications, activities, and professional practice of those regulated under this chapter conform with standards to protect the public interest.

(2) The members of the board of accountancy shall be appointed by the governor to a term of three years. Vacancies occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. Upon the expiration of a member's term of office, the member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and has assumed office. The governor shall remove from the board any member whose certificate or license to practice has been revoked or suspended and may, after hearing, remove any member of the board for neglect of duty or other just cause. No person who has served two successive complete terms is eligible for reappointment. Appointment to fill an unexpired term is not considered a complete term. In order to stagger their terms, of the two new appointments made to the board upon the effective date of this act, the first appointed member shall serve a term of two years initially.

Sec. 4. RCW 18.04.045 and 1986 c 295 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The board shall annually elect a ((~~chairman~~)) chair, a ((~~vice chairman~~)) vice-chair, and a secretary from its members.

(2) ((~~The board may adopt and amend rules under chapter 34.05 RCW for the orderly conduct of its affairs and for the administration of this chapter.~~

~~(3)~~)) A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

((~~(4)~~)) (3) The board shall have a seal which shall be judicially noticed.

((~~(5)~~)) (4) The board shall keep records of its proceedings, and of any proceeding in court arising from or founded upon this chapter. Copies of these records certified as correct under the seal of the board are admissible in evidence as tending to prove the content of the records.

((~~(6)~~)) (5) The board may employ personnel and arrange for assistance as it requires to perform its duties. Individuals or committees assisting the board ((~~under this subsection (6)~~)) constitute volunteers for purposes of chapter 4.92 RCW.

((~~(7) Each member of the board shall receive compensation as provided under RCW 18.04.080.~~

~~(8)~~)) (6) The board shall file an annual report of its activities with the governor. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a statement of all receipts and disbursements. Upon request, the board shall mail a copy of each annual report to any member of the public.

(7) In making investigations concerning alleged violations of the provisions of this chapter and in all proceedings under RCW 18.04.295 or chapter 34.05 RCW, the board chair, or a member of the board, or a board designee acting in the chair's place, may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the board, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, take testimony, and require that documentary evidence be submitted.

(8) The board may review the publicly available professional work of licensees on a general and random basis, without any requirement of a formal complaint or suspicion of impropriety on the part of any particular licensee. If as a result of such review the board discovers reasonable grounds for a more specific investigation, the board may proceed under its investigative and disciplinary rules.

Sec. 5. RCW 18.04.055 and 1986 c 295 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The board may adopt and amend rules under chapter 34.05 RCW for the orderly conduct of its affairs. The board shall prescribe rules consistent with this chapter as necessary to implement this chapter. Included may be:

(1) Rules of procedure to govern the conduct of matters before the board;

(2) Rules of professional conduct for all certificate and license holders, in order to establish and maintain high standards of competence and ((~~integrity in the profession~~)) ethics of certified public accountants including rules dealing with independence, integrity, objectivity, and freedom from conflicts of interest;

(3) Rules specifying actions and circumstances deemed to constitute holding oneself out as a licensee in connection with the practice of public accountancy;

(4) Rules specifying the manner and circumstances of the use of the titles "certified public accountant" and "CPA", by holders of certificates who do not also hold licenses under this chapter;

(5) Educational requirements to ((~~set for an~~)) take the certified public accountant examination or for the issuance of the certificate or license of certified public accountant;

((~~(4)~~)) (6) Rules designed to ensure that certified public accountants' "((~~opinions~~)) reports on financial statements" meet the definitional requirements for that term as specified in RCW 18.04.025;

((~~(5)~~)) (7) Requirements for continuing professional education to maintain or improve the professional competence of certificate and license holders as a condition to maintaining their certificate or license to practice under RCW 18.04.215;

((~~(6) Regulations~~)) (8) Rules governing sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations practicing public accounting including, but not limited to, rules concerning their style, name, title, and affiliation with any other organization, and establishing reasonable practice standards to protect the public interest;

((~~(7)~~)) (9) The board may by rule implement a quality assurance review program as a means to monitor licensees' quality of practice and compliance with professional standards. The board may exempt from such program, licensees who undergo periodic ((~~peer~~)) quality reviews in programs of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, or other programs recognized and approved by the board ((~~by rule.~~));

((~~(8)~~)) (10) The board may by rule require firms to obtain professional liability insurance if in the board's discretion such insurance provides additional and necessary protection for the public; and

((~~(9)~~)) (11) Any other rule which the board finds necessary or appropriate to implement this chapter.

Sec. 6. RCW 18.04.065 and 1983 c 234 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:

The board shall set its fees at a level adequate to pay the costs of administering this chapter. All fees for certified public accountants' licenses, certificates, renewals of licenses, renewals of certificates, and delinquent filings received under the authority of this chapter shall be deposited in the certified public accountants' account created by RCW 18.04.105. Appropriation from such account shall be made only for the cost of administering the provisions of this chapter. All existing general fund appropriations in excess of expenditures for the board's operations shall be transferred to the certified public accountants' account on the effective date of this act. The balance of fiscal year 1991-93 biennium revenues deposited by the board to the general fund in excess of board expenditures from the general fund on the effective date of this act shall be credited to the certified public accountants' account fund balance.

Sec. 7. RCW 18.04.105 and 1991 sp.s. c 13 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The certificate of "certified public accountant" shall be granted by the board to any person:

(a) Who is of good character. Good character, for purposes of this section, means lack of a history of dishonest or felonious acts. The board may refuse to grant a certificate on the ground of failure to satisfy this requirement only if there is a substantial connection between the lack of good character of the applicant and the professional responsibilities of a ((~~licensee~~)) certified public accountant and if the finding by the board of lack of good character is supported by a preponderance of evidence. When an applicant is found to be unqualified for a certificate because of a lack of good character, the board shall furnish the applicant a statement containing the findings of the board and a notice of the applicant's right of appeal;

(b) Who has met ((~~such~~)) the educational ((~~standards established by rule as the board determines to be appropriate~~)) requirements for a certificate, that must be met according to board rule before an applicant is eligible to apply for the examination prescribed in (c) of this subsection, that are as follows:

(i) During the eight-year period immediately following the effective date of this act, the CPA candidate must have a baccalaureate degree conferred by a college or university acceptable to the board, with an accounting concentration or equivalent as determined by board rule to be appropriate;

(ii) After the expiration of the eight-year period immediately following the effective date of this act, the CPA candidate must have at least one hundred fifty semester hours of college education including a baccalaureate or higher degree, conferred by a college or university acceptable to the board, the total educational program to include an accounting concentration or equivalent as determined by board rule to be appropriate; ((~~and~~))

The board may, in its discretion, waive the educational requirements for any person if it is satisfied through review of documentation of successful completion of an equivalency examination that the person's educational qualifications are an acceptable substitute for the requirements of (b)(i) or (ii) of this subsection; and

(c) Who has passed a written examination ((~~in accounting, auditing, and related subjects the board determines to be appropriate~~)).

(2) The examination described in subsection (1)(c) of this section shall be ((held by the board and shall take place as often as the board determines to be desirable, but at least once a year. The board may use all or any part of the examination or grading service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to assist it in performing its duties under this chapter)) in writing, shall be held twice a year, and shall test the applicant's knowledge of the subjects of accounting and auditing, and other related fields the board may specify by rule. The time for holding the examination is fixed by the board and may be changed from time to time. The board shall prescribe by rule the methods of applying for and taking the examination, including methods for grading papers and determining a passing grade required of an applicant for a certificate. The board shall to the extent possible see to it that the grading of the examination, and the passing grades, are uniform with those applicable to all other states. The board may make use of all or a part of the uniform certified public accountant examination and advisory grading service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and may contract with third parties to perform administrative services with respect to the examination as the board deems appropriate to assist it in performing its duties under this chapter.

(3) ((The board may, by rule, provide for granting credit to a person for satisfactory completion of a written examination in any one or more of the subjects specified in subsection (1)(c) of this section given by the licensing authority in any other state. These rules shall include requirements the board determines to be appropriate in order that any examination approved as a basis for any credit shall, in the judgment of the board, be at least as thorough as the most recent examination given by the board at the time credit is granted)) An applicant is required to pass all sections of the examination provided for in subsection (2) of this section in order to qualify for a certificate. If at a given sitting of the examination an applicant passes two or more but not all sections, then the applicant shall be given credit for those sections that he or she passed, and need not take those sections again: PROVIDED, That:

(a) The applicant took all sections of the examination at that sitting;

(b) The applicant attained a minimum grade of fifty on each section not passed at that sitting;

(c) The applicant passes the remaining sections of the examination within six consecutive examinations given after the one at which the first sections were passed;

(d) At each subsequent sitting at which the applicant seeks to pass additional sections, the applicant takes all sections not yet passed; and

(e) In order to receive credit for passing additional sections in a subsequent sitting, the applicant attains a minimum grade of fifty on sections written but not passed on the sitting.

(4) ((The board may, by rule, prescribe the terms and conditions under which a person who passes the examination in one or more of the subjects indicated in subsection (1)(c) of this section may be reexamined in only the remaining subjects, giving credit for the subjects previously passed. It may also provide by rule for a reasonable waiting period for a person's reexamination in a subject he or she has failed. A person is entitled to any number of reexaminations, subject to this subsection and any other rules adopted by the board.

(5) A person passing the examination in any one or more subjects specified in subsection (1)(c) of this section shall meet the educational requirements of subsection (1)(b) of this section in effect on the date the person successfully completes the requirements of subsection (1)(c) of this section. The board may provide, by rule, for exceptions to prevent what it determines to be undue hardship to applicants)) The board may waive or defer any of the requirements of subsection (3) of this section for candidates transferring conditional CPA exam credits from other states or for qualifying reciprocity certification applicants who met the conditioning requirements of the state or foreign jurisdiction issuing their original certificate.

((~~(6)~~)) (5) The board shall charge each applicant an examination fee for the initial examination under subsection (1) of this section, or for reexamination under subsection ((~~(4)~~)) (3) of this section for each subject in which the applicant is reexamined. The applicable fee shall be paid by the person at the time he or she applies for examination, reexamination, or evaluation of educational qualifications. Fees for examination, reexamination, or evaluation of educational qualifications shall be determined by the board under chapter 18.04 RCW. There is established in the state treasury an account to be known as the certified public accountants' account. All fees received from candidates to take any or all sections of the certified public accountant examination shall be used only for costs related to the examination.

((~~(7)~~)) (6) Persons who on June 30, 1986, held certified public accountant certificates previously issued under the laws of this state shall not be required to obtain additional certificates under this chapter, but shall otherwise be subject to this chapter. Certificates previously issued shall, for all purposes, be considered certificates issued under this chapter and subject to its provisions.

(((8) Persons who held qualifications as licensed public accountants but who do not hold annual permits to practice on July 1, 1983, are not entitled to engage in the practice of public accounting under this chapter. No person shall use the term "licensed public accountant" or the designation "LPA."

~~(9)~~)) (7) A certificate of a "certified public accountant" under this chapter is issued on a biennial basis with renewal subject to requirements of continuing professional education and payment of fees, prescribed by the board.

((~~(10)~~)) (8) The board shall adopt rules providing for continuing professional education for certified public accountants. The rules shall:

(a) Provide that a certified public accountant ((~~holding a certificate on July 1, 1986,~~)) shall verify to the board that he or she has completed at least ((~~ten days or~~)) an accumulation of eighty hours of continuing professional education during the last two-year period to maintain the certificate;

(b) Establish continuing professional education requirements;

(c) Establish when newly certificated public accountants shall verify that they have completed the required continuing professional education; and

(d) ((~~Establish proceedings for revocation, suspension, and reinstatement of certificates for failure to meet the continuing professional education requirement.~~

~~(11)~~)) Provide that failure to furnish verification of the completion of the continuing professional education requirement ((~~constitutes grounds for revocation, suspension, or failure to renew the certificate~~)) shall make the certificate invalid and subject to reinstatement, unless the board determines that the failure was due to retirement, reasonable cause, or excusable neglect.

Sec. 8. RCW 18.04.180 and 1949 c 226 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

The board shall ((authorize the issuance of a certificate as certified public accountant to any person who is the holder of a certificate, license, permit or degree authorizing him to practice as a certified public accountant in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, providing the requirements which such person has been called upon to meet in order to obtain such certificate, license, permit or degree were at least the equivalent of those for obtaining a certificate to practice as a certified public accountant in this state: AND PROVIDED, FURTHER, That such state, territory or possession makes similar provision to authorize a person who holds a valid certificate to practice in this state as a certified public accountant to practice in such state, territory or possession as a certified public accountant)) issue a certificate to a holder of a certificate issued by another state, or shall issue a certificate and license to a holder of a certificate/valid license issued by another state that entitles the holder to practice public accountancy, provided that:

(1) Such state makes similar provision to grant reciprocity to a holder of a certificate or certificate and valid license in this state; and

(2) The applicant meets the continuing professional education requirements of RCW 18.04.105(8); and

(3) If the application is for a certificate only:

(a) The applicant passed the examination required for issuance of his or her certificate with grades that would have been passing grades at that time in this state; and

(b) The applicant: Meets all current requirements in this state for issuance of a certificate at the time application is made; or at the time of the issuance of the applicant's certificate in the other state, met all the requirements then applicable in this state; or

(4) If the application is for a certificate and license:

(a) The applicant passed the examination required for issuance of his or her certificate with grades that would have been passing grades at that time in this state; and

(b) The applicant: Meets all current requirements in this state for issuance of a license at the time application is made; or at the time of the issuance of the applicant's license in the other state, met all the requirements then applicable in this state; or has had five years of experience within the ten years immediately preceding application in the practice of public accountancy that meets the requirements prescribed by the board.

Sec. 9. RCW 18.04.205 and 1986 c 295 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each office established or maintained in this state for the practice of public accounting in this state by a certified public accountant, or a partnership or corporation of certified public accountants, shall register with the board under this chapter biennially.

(2) Each office shall be under the direct supervision of a resident licensee holding a license ((~~to practice~~)) under RCW 18.04.215 who may be a sole proprietor, partner, principal shareholder, or a staff employee.

(3) The board shall by rule prescribe the procedure to be followed to register and maintain offices established in this state for the practice of public accounting.

(4) Fees for the registration of offices shall be determined by the board. Fees shall be paid by the applicant at the time the registration form is filed with the board.

Sec. 10. RCW 18.04.215 and 1986 c 295 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Biennial licenses ((~~to engage in the practice of public accounting in this state~~)) shall be issued by the board:

(a) To holders of certificates as certified public accountants who have demonstrated, in accordance with rules issued by the board, one year of public accounting experience, or such other experience or employment which the board in its discretion regards as substantially equivalent and who, if their certificate was issued more than forty-eight months prior to application under this section, submit to the board satisfactory proof of having completed an accumulation of eighty hours of continuing professional education during the twenty-four months preceding the application;

(b) To firms under RCW 18.04.195, if all offices of the firm in this state are maintained and registered as required under RCW 18.04.205.

(2) ((All licenses to practice issued to persons born in an even-numbered year expire on the last day of June of each even-numbered year. All licenses to practice issued to persons born in an odd-numbered year expire on the last day of June of each odd-numbered year. Renewals of licenses to practice issued to individuals under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall be issued in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.)) The board shall, by rule, provide for a system of certificate and license renewal. Applicants for issuance or renewal of certificates or licenses shall, at the time of filing their applications, list with the board all states and foreign jurisdictions in which they hold or have applied for certificates, permits or licenses to practice.

(3) A certified public accountant who holds a permit or license issued by another state, and applies for a license in this state, may practice in this state from the date of filing a completed application with the board, until the board has acted upon the application provided the application is made prior to holding out as a certified public accountant in this state and no sanctions or investigations, deemed by the board to be pertinent to public accountancy, by other jurisdictions or agencies are in process.

(4) ((~~As a prerequisite to renewal of a license, a person practicing public accounting~~)) A certified public accountant shall submit to the board satisfactory proof of having completed ((~~ten days or~~)) an accumulation of eighty hours of continuing education recognized and approved by the board during the preceding two years. Failure to furnish this evidence as required ((~~constitutes grounds for revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the license in a proceeding under RCW 18.04.295~~)) shall make the certificate invalid and subject to reinstatement procedures, unless the board determines the failure to have been due to retirement, reasonable cause, or excusable neglect.

The board in its discretion may renew a ((~~biennial~~)) certificate or license ((~~to practice~~)) despite failure to furnish evidence of compliance with requirements of continuing professional education upon condition that the applicant follow a particular program of continuing professional education. In issuing rules and individual orders with respect to continuing professional education requirements, the board, among other considerations, may rely upon guidelines and pronouncements of recognized educational and professional associations, may prescribe course content, duration, and organization, and may take into account the accessibility of continuing education to applicants and instances of individual hardship.

(5) Fees for ((~~biennial~~)) issuance or renewal of certificates and licenses ((~~to engage in the practice of public accounting~~)) in this state shall be determined by the board under chapter 18.04 RCW. Fees shall be paid by the applicant at the time the application form is filed with the board. The board, by rule, may provide for proration of fees for certificates and licenses issued between normal renewal dates.

Sec. 11. RCW 18.04.295 and 1986 c 295 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

The board of accountancy shall have the power to revoke, suspend, ((or)) refuse to renew a certificate or license, and may impose a fine in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars plus the board's investigative and legal costs in bringing charges against a certified public accountant, or impose conditions precedent to renewal of the certificate or license of any certified public accountant for any of the following causes:

(1) Fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate as a certified public accountant, or in obtaining a license ((~~to practice public accounting under RCW 18.04.215~~));

(2) Dishonesty, fraud, or negligence ((~~in the practice of public accounting~~)) while representing oneself as a CPA;

(3) A violation of any provision of this chapter;

(4) A violation of a rule of professional conduct promulgated by the board under the authority granted by this chapter;

(5) Conviction of a crime or an act constituting a crime under:

(a) The laws of this state;

(b) The laws of another state, and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a crime under the laws of this state; or

(6) Cancellation, revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the authority to practice as a certified public accountant by any other state for any cause other than failure to pay a fee or to meet the requirements of continuing education in the other state;

(7) Suspension or revocation of the right to practice matters relating to public accounting before any state or federal agency;

For purposes of subsections (6) and (7) of this section, a certified copy of such revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew shall be prima facie evidence;

(8) Failure to maintain compliance with the requirements for issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of the certificate or license, or to report changes to the board;

(9) Failure to cooperate with the board by:

(a) Failure to furnish any papers or documents requested or ordered by the board;

(b) Failure to furnish in writing a full and complete explanation covering the matter contained in the complaint filed with the board or the inquiry of the board;

(c) Failure to respond to subpoenas issued by the board, whether or not the recipient of the subpoena is the accused in the proceeding.

Sec. 12. RCW 18.04.305 and 1986 c 295 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

The board of accountancy may revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew the license issued to a firm if at any time the firm does not meet the requirements of this chapter for licensing, or for any of the causes enumerated in RCW 18.04.295, or for any of the following additional causes:

(1) The revocation or suspension of the certificate as a certified public accountant or the revocation or suspension or refusal to renew the certificate or license of any partner or shareholder; or

(2) The revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the license or permit of the firm, or any partner or shareholder thereof, to practice public accounting in any other state or foreign jurisdiction for any cause other than failure to pay a fee or to meet the requirements of continuing professional education in the other state or foreign jurisdiction.

Sec. 13. RCW 18.04.335 and 1986 c 295 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

Upon application in writing and after hearing pursuant to notice, the board may:

(1) ((~~Reissue a certificate to a certified public accountant~~)) Modify the suspension of, or reissue a certificate or license to, an individual whose certificate has been revoked or suspended; or

(2) Modify the suspension of, or reissue ((~~any~~)) a license to ((~~practice which~~)) a firm whose license has been revoked, suspended, or which the board has refused to renew.

Sec. 14. RCW 18.04.345 and 1986 c 295 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No person may ((~~hold himself or herself out to the public, or~~)) assume or use the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified public accountant or CPA unless the person ((~~has received a~~)) holds a valid certificate as a certified public accountant((~~, holds a valid license to practice under RCW 18.04.215, and all of the person's offices in this state for the practice of public accounting are maintained and registered under RCW 18.04.205))~~.

(2) No person may hold himself or herself out to the public and assume or use the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or devise tending to indicate that the person is a certified public accountant or CPA unless the person holds a valid certificate as a certified public accountant and holds a valid license to practice under RCW 18.04.215.

(3) No firm may hold itself out to the public, or assume or use the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the firm is composed of certified public accountants or CPAs, unless the firm is licensed under RCW 18.04.195, holds a valid license to practice under RCW 18.04.215, and all offices of the firm in this state for the practice of public accounting are maintained and registered under RCW 18.04.205.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) No person, partnership, or corporation may hold himself, herself, or itself out to the public, or assume or use along, or in connection with his, hers, or its name, or any other name the title or designation "certified accountant," "chartered accountant," "licensed accountant," "licensed public accountant," "public accountant," or any other title or designation likely to be confused with "certified public accountant" or any of the abbreviations "CA," "LA," "LPA," or "PA," or similar abbreviations likely to be confused with "CPA." However, nothing in this chapter prohibits use of the title "accountant" by any person regardless of whether the person has been granted a certificate or holds a license under this chapter.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) No person may sign, affix, or associate his or her name or any trade or assumed name used by the person in his or her business to any report designated as an "audit," "review," or "compilation," unless the person holds a biennial license to practice under RCW 18.04.215 and all of the person's offices in this state for the practice of public accounting are maintained and licensed under RCW 18.04.205.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) No person may sign, affix, or associate a firm name to any report designated as an "audit," "review," or "compilation," unless the firm is licensed under RCW 18.04.195 and 18.04.215, and all of its offices in this state for the practice of public accounting are maintained and registered under RCW 18.04.205.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) No person, partnership, or corporation not holding a license to practice under RCW 18.04.215 may hold himself, herself, or itself out to the public as an "auditor" with or without any other description or designation by use of such word on any sign, card, letterhead, or in any advertisement or directory.

(((7) Nothing contained in this chapter prohibits any person who is the holder of a valid certified public accountant certificate from assuming or using the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified public accountant.))

(8) No person may assume or use the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" in conjunction with names indicating or implying that there is a partnership or corporation, if there is in fact no bona fide partnership or corporation registered under RCW 18.04.195.

(9) No person, partnership, or corporation holding a license under RCW 18.04.215 may hold himself, herself, or itself out to the public in conjunction with the designation "and Associates" or "and Assoc." unless he or she has in fact a partner or employee who holds a license under RCW 18.04.215.

(((10) No person, partnership, or corporation may hold himself, herself, or itself out to the public for the practice of public accounting unless the person, partnership, or corporation holds a license to practice under RCW 18.04.215 and all of his or its offices in this state are maintained and registered under RCW 18.04.205.))

Sec. 15. RCW 18.04.350 and 1986 c 295 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any person not a certified public accountant from serving as an employee of, or as assistant to, a certified public accountant or partnership composed of certified public accountants or corporation of certified public accountants holding a valid license under RCW 18.04.215. However, the employee or assistant shall not issue any accounting or financial statement over his or her name.

(2) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a certified public accountant registered in another state, or any accountant of a foreign country holding a certificate, degree or license which permits him to practice therein from temporarily practicing in this state on professional business incident to his regular practice.

(3) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a certified public accountant, a partnership, or corporation of certified public accountants, or any of their employees from disclosing any data in confidence to other certified public accountants, quality or peer review teams, partnerships, or corporations of public accountants or to the board or any of its employees engaged in conducting quality, quality assurance, or peer reviews, or any one of their employees in connection with quality or peer reviews of that accountant's accounting and auditing practice conducted under the auspices of recognized professional associations.

(4) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a certified public accountant, a partnership, or corporation of certified public accountants, or any of their employees from disclosing any data in confidence to any employee, representative, officer, or committee member of a recognized professional association, or to the board of accountancy, or any of its employees or committees in connection with a professional investigation held under the auspices of recognized professional associations or the board of accountancy.

(5) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any officer, employee, partner, or principal of any organization:

(a) From affixing his or her signature to any statement or report in reference to the affairs of the organization with any wording designating the position, title, or office which he or she holds in the organization; or

(b) From describing himself or herself by the position, title, or office he or she holds in such organization.

(6) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any person, or partnership or corporation composed of persons not holding a license under RCW 18.04.215 from offering or rendering to the public bookkeeping, accounting, ((~~and~~)) tax services, ((~~including~~)) the devising and installing of financial systems, ((~~financial information or data, or preparing financial~~)) management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services, the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters, the preparation of financial statements, written statements describing how such financial statements were prepared, or similar services, 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, provided that persons, partnerships, or corporations not holding a license under RCW 18.04.215 who offer or render these services do not designate any written statement as an "audit report," "review report," or "compilation report," do not issue any written statement which purports to express or disclaim an opinion on financial statements which have been audited, and do not issue any written statement which expresses assurance on financial statements which have been reviewed.

(7) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any act of or the use of any words by a public official or a public employee in the performance of his or her duties.

(8) Nothing contained in this chapter prohibits any person who holds only a valid certified public accountant certificate from assuming or using the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, sign, card, or device tending to indicate the person is a certified public accountant, provided, that such person shall not hold himself or herself out to the public as engaged in the practice of public accounting unless that person holds a valid license in addition to the certificate under RCW 18.04.215.

Sec. 16. RCW 18.04.390 and 1986 c 295 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In the absence of an express agreement between the certified public accountant and the client to the contrary, all statements, records, schedules, working papers, and memoranda made by a certified public accountant incident to or in the course of professional service to clients, except reports submitted by a certified public accountant to a client, are the property of the certified public accountant.

(2) No statement, record, schedule, working paper, or memorandum may be sold, transferred, or bequeathed without the consent of the client or his or her personal representative or assignee, to anyone other than one or more surviving partners, shareholders, or new partners or new shareholders of the accountant or corporation, or any combined or merged partnership or corporation, or successor in interest.

(3) A licensee shall furnish to the board or to his or her client or former client, upon request and reasonable notice:

(a) A copy of the licensee's working papers, to the extent that such working papers include records that would ordinarily constitute part of the client's records and are not otherwise available to the client; and

(b) Any accounting or other records belonging to, or obtained from or on behalf of, the client that the licensee removed from the client's premises or received for the client's account; the licensee may make and retain copies of such documents of the client when they form the basis for work done by him or her.

(4) Nothing in this section shall require a licensee to keep any work paper beyond the period prescribed in any other applicable statute.

Sec. 17. RCW 18.04.405 and 1986 c 295 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A certified public accountant, a partnership or corporation of certified public accountants, or any of their employees shall not disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of a professional transaction except with the consent of the client or former client or as disclosure may be required by law, legal process, the standards of the profession, or as disclosure of confidential information is permitted by RCW 18.04.350 (3) and (4), 18.04.295(8), 18.04.390, and this section in connection with quality, quality assurance, or peer reviews ((~~and~~)), investigations, and any proceeding under chapter 34.05 RCW.

(2) This section shall not be construed as limiting the authority of this state or of the United States or an agency of this state, the board, or of the United States to subpoena and use such information in connection with any investigation, public hearing, or other proceeding, nor shall this section be construed as prohibiting a certified public accountant whose professional competence has been challenged in a court of law or before an administrative agency from disclosing confidential information as a part of a defense to the court action or administrative proceeding.

(3) The proceedings, records, and work papers of a review committee shall be privileged and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal process or introduction into evidence in any civil action, arbitration, administrative proceeding, or state accountancy board proceeding and no member of the review committee or person who was involved in the quality review process shall be permitted or required to testify in any such civil action, arbitration, administrative proceeding, or state accountancy board proceeding as to any matter produced, presented, disclosed, or discussed during or in connection with the quality review process, or as to any findings, recommendations, evaluations, opinions, or other actions of such committees, or any members thereof. Information, documents, or records that are publicly available are not to be construed as immune from discovery or use in any civil action, arbitration, administrative proceeding, or state accountancy board proceeding merely because they were presented or considered in connection with the quality review process.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. A new section is added to chapter 18.04 RCW to read as follows:

The board shall grant a certificate or license as a certified public accountant to a holder of a permit, license, or certificate issued by a foreign country's board, agency, or institute, provided that:

(1) The foreign country where the foreign permit, license, or certificate was issued is a party to an agreement on trade with the United States that encourages the mutual recognition of licensing and certification requirements for the provision of covered services by the parties under the trade agreement; and

(2) Such foreign country's board, agency, or institute makes similar provision to allow a person who holds a valid certificate issued by this state to obtain such foreign country's comparable permit, license, or certificate; and

(3) The foreign permit, license, or certificate:

(a) Was duly issued by such foreign country's board, agency, or institute that regulates the practice of public accountancy; and

(b) Is in good standing at the time of the application; and

(c) Was issued upon the basis of educational, examination, and ethical requirements substantially equivalent currently or at the time of issuance of the foreign permit, license, or certificate to those in this state; and

(4) The applicant has within the twenty-four months prior to application completed an accumulation of eighty hours of continuing professional education as required under RCW 18.04.105(8); and

(5) If the application is for a certificate:

(a) The applicant's foreign permit, license, or certificate was the type of permit, license, or certificate requiring the most stringent qualifications if, in the foreign country, more than one type of permit, license, or certificate is issued. This state's board shall decide which are the most stringent qualifications; and

(b) The applicant has passed a written examination, approved by the board, that tests knowledge in the areas of United States accounting principles, auditing standards, commercial law, income tax law, and Washington state rules of professional ethics; or

(6) If the application is for a certificate and license:

(a) The requirements of subsections (1) through (5) of this section are satisfied; and

(b) The applicant has within the five years prior to applying for the certificate and license under this section, demonstrated, in accordance with the rules issued by the board, one year of public accounting experience, within the foreign country where the foreign permit, license, or certificate was issued, equivalent to the experience required under RCW 18.04.215(1)(a) or such other experience or employment which the board in its discretion regards as substantially equivalent.