Being a certified public accountant (CPA) is a prestigious title. As you know, becoming a CPA is no small feat; you have likely spent around seven years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars gaining the proper degrees to be where you are today. Learning that you are facing a disciplinary charge against the CPA license you worked tirelessly for is upsetting and even infuriating.
Even with all that education, you may be unsure about your next steps and how to defend your CPA license, but the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team does this daily. Our Team understands everything you put into obtaining your license and everything from your livelihood to your reputation that you have to lose if disciplinary action is taken against your license. We guide you through the disciplinary process, prepare a strong and effective defense, and potentially negotiate with the relevant Connecticut regulatory bodies to preserve your CPA license. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.
Connecticut Certified Public Accounting Regulatory Body
The Connecticut State Board of Accountancy handles all things related to regulating CPAs and their licensure. The Board of Accountancy comprises nine members, all of whom must be Connecticut residents. Five of these members must be CPAs with active CPA licenses; the other four members are members of the general public.
The Board of Accountancy's responsibilities are divided into its five main programs: licensing, continuing education, quality review, examination, regulation, and discipline. Each year, the Board of Accountancy meets to review all CPA licenses to ensure all Connecticut CPAs' regulatory compliance.
The Board of Accountancy reports its CPAs' licensure status to a national CPA licensure verification database called CPAverify. This database allows the public to verify the license status of CPAs and certified public accounting firms throughout the country, including Connecticut. You should be aware that disciplinary action in Connecticut will be easily searchable by the public through the use of this database and may impact your ability to find employment elsewhere if the Board of Accountancy takes formal disciplinary action against your license.
Connecticut Certified Public Accounting Laws and Regulations
The Connecticut General Statute's chapter, Public Accountants, is the primary law governing CPAs in Connecticut. This law details the requirements for issuing and renewing licenses, operating requirements for the Board of Accountancy, the disciplinary process, and more.
Relevant sections of the Connecticut Administrative Code are also important for CPAs to know. The Administrative Code Section Professional Conduct details the code of professional conduct for CPAs, rules of conduct, notification requirements, and the procedure for addressing complaints made against CPAs and their licenses.
Connecticut Certified Public Accountant Allegations and Disciplinary Action
Allegations against your CPA license or your certified public accounting firm's license are just that, allegations; you have not been found guilty of anything. You should never admit to anything when you are notified of an allegation against you. You have the right to defend yourself and present your case. As soon as you hear of the allegations against you, contact and retain the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team.
You should be wary of any interaction with the Board or investigators throughout the process. While they may claim to be neutral, your Lento Law Firm attorney is the only person you can guarantee will be on your side and protecting your best interests. Your attorney will walk you through the disciplinary process in detail and do everything in our power to make the disciplinary process less painful and as short as possible. Every case will be handled slightly differently, but generally, the disciplinary process will look like this:
Complaint
Disciplinary actions often begin with a complaint filed with the Board of Accountancy. Alternatively, the Board of Accountancy may initiate disciplinary action on its own accord if a CPA has not completed the requirements for active licensure, for example, participating in and reporting 40 hours of continuing education per year. As stated above, the Board of Accountancy holds annual meetings to review the regulatory compliance of its CPAs; it is possible they will find at least administrative violations, such as failing to meet reporting requirements, during this review. While the Board conducts these compliance reviews annually, it is not required to review every CPA, but each CPA will be reviewed at least once every three years and prior to each license renewal.
Complaints are accepted through the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. All complaints must be written and mailed to the Department of Consumer Protection or submitted through its online complaint portal. Complaints may be filed anonymously, although this can hinder the Board of Accountancy's ability to investigate and verify the complaint thoroughly. The Department of Consumer Protection typically completes its initial processing within a week, sends the complainant acknowledgment it received, and reviews the complaint. After this initial review, the Department of Consumer Protection will forward the complaint to the Board of Accountancy.
The Department of Consumer Protection has the authority to investigate businesses it believes have broken the law. While the Board of Accountancy will deal with the disciplinary process for your CPA license, your certified public accounting firm may also face an investigation from the Department of Consumer Protection for wrongdoings related to the firm. Additionally, the Board of Accountancy can request support from the Department of Consumer Protection as needed as it investigates the complaint.
Investigation
After the Board of Accountancy receives a complaint, it will thoroughly investigate. This may include interviewing the complainant, CPA, and other relevant parties and collecting additional evidence. If you have not already retained an attorney, it is advisable that you do so. Having your Lento Law Firm attorney present for all steps of the investigation ensures your rights are protected. The Board of Accountancy has a whole program devoted to disciplinary proceedings; you will need your Lento Law Firm attorney advocating for you to make this a fair fight.
When the investigation is complete, the Board of Accountancy will make one of two determinations: that the complaint has no foundation in law or fact and provide the complainant with the determination that the complaint or evidence is insufficient, or the Board is moving forward with the case and will be presenting the CPA with formal charges.
The Board of Accountancy may suggest a settlement during and after the investigation. Having your Lento Law Firm attorney negotiate a settlement on your behalf increases your chances of a favorable outcome. The Lento Law Firm has negotiated numerous successful settlements with the Board of Accountancy. Settlements in Connecticut can be challenging to reach because, unlike many other states, in Connecticut, the Board, the CPA, and the complainant must approve the settlement.
Hearing
Hearings are generally conducted by the Chairman of the Board of Accountancy, although the Chairman may appoint a different member of the Board to be the presiding officer for the hearing. At least two Board members will be involved in the hearing. Hearings are procedurally similar to court cases in that each side will make its case by interrogating witnesses, issuing subpoenas, and presenting evidence.
You should never represent yourself in a hearing before the Board of Accountancy. The procedures for a hearing are particular; like court, there are set policies and procedures for what is permitted as evidence, when evidence must be shared with the opposing party, and more. These policies and procedures aren't guidelines; they are the law, and making procedural mistakes can cost you your CPA license before presenting your case. Your Lento Law Firm attorney is well-versed in the procedural aspects of administrative hearings before the Board of Accountancy. We dot the i's and cross the t's to present your case correctly and effectively.
Determination
Only after a hearing can the Board of Accountancy take disciplinary action against your license. The Board of Accountancy will draft a Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law and issue an order that will either dismiss the action or detail the disciplinary action that will be taken against your CPA license. The Board of Accountancy can suspend or revoke your license, issue a reprimand or censure, limit the scope of your practice of public accounting, or place you on probation. In addition to disciplinary action, you can face up to a $50,000 civil penalty for violating Connecticut's laws and regulations relating to public accounting.
Under Connecticut law, the Board of Accountancy can go to the superior court in the relevant judicial district to ensure the CPA's compliance with their final order. The court may take actions, including issuing a restraining order, injunction, or other action it deems appropriate.
Appeal
The superior court in the relevant district is also where your Lento Law Firm attorney can file an appeal if you disagree with the Board of Accountancy's determination in your case. If the Board of Accountancy issues an unfavorable order against you and your CPA license, you may feel defeated, but all hope is not lost. Even if an attorney has not represented you through the disciplinary process, the Lento Law Firm can help. Our Professional License Defense Team frequently gets brought in at the appeals stage. Regardless of whether you had prior representation, it is not unusual for the Lento Law Firm to get its clients a more favorable outcome on appeal.
Grounds for Disciplinary Action Against Your Connecticut Certified Public Accounting License
Many actions may subject a CPA to disciplinary action against their license; some grounds for disciplinary action include, but are not limited to:
- "Fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate, registration, license, practice privilege, or permit"
- "Cancellation, revocation, suspension or refusal to renew authority to engage in the practice of public accountancy in any other state"
- Failure of the CPA to comply with any Board of Accountancy reporting requirements
- "Dishonesty, fraud, or negligence in the practice of public accountancy or in the filing or failure to file their own income tax returns"
- Violations of CPA professional rules of conduct
- "Conviction of a crime where there is an element of dishonesty or fraud"
- "Performance of a fraudulent act while holding a registration, certificate, license, practice privilege or permit"
- "Any conduct reflecting adversely on the CPA's fitness to engage in the practice of public accountancy"
Areas We Serve in Connecticut
The Lento Law Firm has worked with countless CPAs facing disciplinary action all throughout Connecticut. Our Team will help our clients wherever they are located, from Bridgeport to Union, but most of our clients have been in Connecticut's more populated areas. We frequently work in areas including Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, and Norwalk.
Retain the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team
The Lento Law Firm is here for you whether you have just learned of the complaint against you and your CPA license or are seeking to appeal the Board of Accountancy's disciplinary action. We always aim to mitigate and ideally eliminate all threats to your CPA license to preserve your career and reputation. All threats to your license should be taken seriously; we will always fight our hardest for you. To retain the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team, call 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
