WSR 98-01-227

PROPOSED RULES

BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

[Filed December 24, 1997, 11:58 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-22-075.

Title of Rule: WAC 4-25-550 Address changes.

Purpose: To require certified public accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms regulated by the Board of Accountancy to notify the agency of any change in address.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.04.055.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.04.055.

Summary: Requires certified public accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms to notify the agency of any change in address.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: To effectively regulate certified public accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms, the agency must be able to contact the CPAs; to do so the agency must have on record a CPA's most current address.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Dana M. McInturff, CPA, 210 East Union, Suite A, Olympia, (360) 664-9194.

Name of Proponent: Board of Accountancy, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: WAC 4-25-550 requires certified public accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms to notify the agency of any change in address. With a current address on file, the agency will be able to contact the CPA and the CPA firm for regulatory purposes.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The existing rule requires "licensees" to notify the board of address changes. 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 "certified public accountant" and a CPA firm for failure to report changes to the board. Under current board policy, the board requires all "certificate holders" (not just licensees) to notify the board of address changes. Amendment will clarify the rule to include all persons and firms under the authority of the Board of Accountancy.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule will not have more than minor economic impact on business.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The Board of Accountancy is not one of the agencies required to submit to the requirements of RCW 34.05.328.

Hearing Location: Bank of California Building, 900 4th Avenue, 24th Floor, Attorney General Training Center, Seattle, WA, on Thursday, January 29, 1998, at 9:30 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Cheryl Sexton by January 26, 1998, TDD (800) 833-6384, or (360) 664-9194.

Submit Written Comments to: Dana M. McInturff, P.O. Box 9131, Olympia, WA 98507-9131, FAX (360) 664-9190, by January 28, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: January 29, 1998.

December 24, 1997

Dana M. McInturff, CPA

Executive Director

AMENDATORY SECTION [(Amending WSR 93-12-073, filed 5/27/93)]

WAC 4-25-550 ((Address changes.)) Do I need to notify the Board if I change my address? ((Each licensee shall)) All CPA'S and CPA firms must notify the board in writing within thirty days of any change of address.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055. 93-12-073, 4-25-550, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]

Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.