WSR 98-24-059

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

[Filed November 25, 1998, 3:09 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 4-25-813 Continuing professional education (CPE)--Program sponsor agreements.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.04.055, 18.04.215.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Part of the agency's fiscal year 1999 rules review, reviewing the rule for effectiveness, clarity, cost, fairness, and need. The agency is analyzing all of its certificate and license renewal and continuing competency rules. The board will also consider its rule in conjunction with the model Uniform Accountancy Act drafted to promote uniformity with the other State Boards of Accountancy across the United States. Board staff and the board's CPE committee ask that the board consider eliminating sponsor agreements. This program requires significant staff time for little benefit to Washington CPAs.

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.

November 12, 1998

Dana M. McInturff, CPA

Executive Director