HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5944

BYSenate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Warnke, Sellar and Newhouse)

Revising provisions on continuing education for certified public accountants.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisch, Fisher, R. King, O'Brien, Patrick, Sanders, Sayan, C. Smith and Walker.

House Staff:Joan Elgee (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 9, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Persons holding a certificate of "certified public accountant" issued by the State Board of Accountancy are required to complete eighty hours of continuing professional education every two years to maintain their certificates.  Certificated persons who also hold a license to engage in public accounting must also meet continuing education requirements.

SUMMARY:

The continuing education requirement for certified public accountants is eliminated.  (The continuing education requirement for licensed certified public accountants is retained.)

The authorization for persons holding a valid certified public accountant certificate to use the title of "certified public accountant" or "CPA" is limited to those activities which do not require a license.

Fiscal Note:      Requested March 27, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Geoff Gibbs, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The continuing education requirement should be limited to public accountants.  When the legislature enacted the education requirements, persons did not realize even retired CPAs would be covered.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.