Virginia CPA License Defense

Professional License Defense Team in Virginia  

If you're a certified public accountant (CPA), the prospect of losing your license is overwhelming. You've invested a significant amount of time and resources into building your career, and yet just one complaint could be enough to derail everything you've worked for. And even if the accusations against you are false or exaggerated, they could leave a permanent mark on your professional reputation.  

For CPAs threatened with license suspension or revocation, time is critical. You must act fast, and effectively, to protect the license you have worked so hard to earn. If you're a CPA facing disciplinary action, you can call the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm on 888.535.3686. Or you can leave us a message online at your convenience to schedule a meeting.   

The Virginia Board of Accountancy  

In Virginia, the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) regulates CPAs. The Board's duties include: 

• Issuing and renewing licenses. 
• Investigating complaints against licensed CPAs. 
• Ensuring CPA compliance with federal and state laws.  
• Conducting disciplinary proceedings against CPAs accused of misconduct. 

Much of the Board's authority stems from Chapter 44 of the Virginia Administrative Code. The VBOA consists of seven members, including at least four CPAs actively practicing in Virginia, and one non-CPA public member. In the interests of fairness and due process, no one can serve more than two four-year terms on the Board.  

Legal Powers the Board Can Exercise Against You 

The Board has a wide legal authority to impose various sanctions on CPAs, including: 

• Formal reprimands 
• Restricting the scope of practice (probation) 
• Mandatory further education or training 
• Payment of monetary penalties 
• Suspending or refusing to renew a license  
• Revoking a license  

If the VBOA suspends or revokes your license, you are no longer able to use the “CPA” title in Virginia or provide related financial services to anyone located in Virginia. You can reapply for the privilege to use the CPA title following a suspension period; however, license revocation is designed to be a permanent penalty. Given what's at stake, you need to seek legal advice urgently to protect your position.  

What Triggers License Investigations Against CPAs in Virginia? 

The VBOA has two main goals, and they both relate to protecting the public. In Virginia, the Board is responsible for investigating:  

• Unlicensed individuals improperly holdings themselves out to be CPAs; and 
• Licensed individuals who have allegedly fallen below the conduct standards expected of them.  

The Board takes its responsibilities seriously. Even a minor complaint can snowball into significant disciplinary action.  

The most common “triggers” for license investigations in Virginia include allegations such as: 

• Fraud 
• Dishonesty 
• Misrepresentation 
• Ethical code violations  
• Negligence or failure to exercise reasonable professional care  
• Communication failures  
• Unauthorized use of “CPA” designation  

The VBOA will not investigate minor disputes, errors, or fee disputes.  

Investigations typically begin with an official complaint. Should the Board's Enforcement Division decide there's probable cause to investigate further, they will commence investigations. You will be notified in writing if the Board decides to investigate a complaint made against you. 

The License Investigations Process  

Our Professional License Defense Team can walk you through the process as it relates to your case. However, the main steps are as follows: 

• Investigations begin after the initial complaint. If deemed necessary to protect the public, the VBOA will also notify the local Commonwealth Attorney of possible criminal activity.  
• You'll receive written notice and a request for information. This is your opportunity to provide supporting evidence in your favor, such as notes, records, and witness testimony. You may also be interviewed or subject to a site visit. 
• The VBOA's Enforcement Division completes an Investigative Report. Based on the Report, the Division recommends whether to mediate the dispute, reach an agreement based on a Consent Order, or to close the case.  

Consent Order  

A Consent Order is offered if the Board believes there's clear evidence of wrongdoing but the matter can be handled quickly. It enables both parties to avoid a formal hearing. The CPA accepts the proposed sanctions, and the matter is closed. 

Consent Orders mean admitting to wrongdoing and waiving any rights to appeal. Do not sign a Consent Order without consulting the Lento Law Firm!  

Formal Hearing 

Should you disagree with the proposed sanctions, or you know you're innocent of the accusations, you can reject the Consent Order and proceed to a hearing. This could be a less formal fact-finding conference, or a formal court hearing, depending on the allegations.  

At the hearing or fact-finding conference, you can present your own evidence. The Board must fairly consider the position and all the evidence presented before reaching a decision. Our Professional License Defense Team can ensure you present the most compelling and persuasive case possible. 

You will be notified in writing of the outcome of any hearing. This will include the recommendations for penalties or, if applicable, confirmation that the complaint has been dismissed. The Board must be able to explain the justification for its decision and explain any rights of appeal you might have. 

Consequences of CPA License Suspension or Revocation  

Losing your license is, of course, an obvious consequence of disciplinary action. However, let's consider the most significant professional, personal, and even financial consequences in more detail.  

• Professional reputation damage: Even if you're cleared of any wrongdoing, there's already some damage to your reputation just by merely facing CPA license suspension or revocation. This is, of course, entirely unfair, but it's the reality faced by many professionals in similar situations, and it's one of the reasons why allegations must be dealt with swiftly and effectively.  
• Loss of income: Depending on your personal circumstances, if you can't work as an accountant, you may struggle to find alternative employment at a similar income level. This could have severe financial consequences for you and your loved ones.  
• Loss of promotion potential: Even if you're able to retain your license, the repercussions of serious disciplinary sanctions, such as suspension, stay with you. Sanctions on your record could impede your ability to move forward or progress with your career.   
• Loss of confidence: Just knowing that your professional skills, or even your character, have been called into question could be enough to dent your confidence in your ability to practice accounting. Recovering from such a setback is not always easy.  
• Stress and anxiety: The strain of disciplinary action could lead to ongoing mental health issues, such as stress, depression, and anxiety. Your emotional well-being could suffer in the long term, especially if you're entirely innocent of any wrongdoing or the complaint is grossly exaggerated.  

Can I Appeal the CPA License Suspension or Revocation? 

Yes. You have around 30 days to appeal the Board's decision to revoke or suspend your license. And you must have grounds to do so, whether this means the Board made a procedural, legal, or factual error.  

If your suspension appeal is unsuccessful, you can reapply for your license once the suspension period has lapsed, although there's no guarantee your license will be reinstated. 

You only get one chance to appeal CPA license revocation, and the deadline for filing an appeal is short. Make your time count by instructing our Professional License Defense Team immediately. We'll explain if you have grounds to appeal and handle the matter on your behalf if so.  

The Risks of Facing License Investigations Alone 

It's tempting to think that you can deal with disciplinary matters yourself. After all, you're a professional with valuable skills – and the proven ability to succeed. However, there are various reasons why it's unwise to risk handling your own license investigations, even if you're reluctant to make a fuss and hope the problem simply goes away.  

• The VBOA has its own experienced attorneys at its disposal. And they will not hesitate to impose disciplinary sanctions on accounting professionals – your innocence may not be enough to protect you. You need your own counsel on your side or you risk being at an immediate disadvantage.  
• VBOA rules, regulations, and procedures are complex. One mistake or oversight could be enough to jeopardize your case. As a CPA, you of course have an outstanding attention to detail. However, there's too much at stake to risk even the smallest mishap right now.  
• The VBOA has significant experience disciplining accounting professionals. On the other hand, this is most likely your first encounter with the disciplinary system. You may be unaware how to negotiate with the VBOA most effectively, or how to best use the strengths of your case to your advantage. An experienced attorney will robustly defend your position while you focus on staying positive.  

During this tense and uncertain time, you deserve support from attorneys with the legal knowledge – and the unwavering passion for justice – to protect your best interests, which is why you should contact our Professional License Defense Team as soon as possible.   

How the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team Can Help 

At the Lento Law Firm, we're committed to helping CPAs retain their licenses and mitigating the consequences of disciplinary action. Should you retain our Professional License Defense Team, here's how we'll help you with licensing matters.  

• Comprehensive case evaluation: Our team will listen to your side of the story. We want to understand exactly what's happened so we can support you in the most effective way. We will gather and evaluate the evidence, determine the strengths and weaknesses of your position, and consider how best to move forward.  
• Thorough explanation of your legal rights: Once we've established the case against you, we'll explain what options you have based on the applicable laws. You will have a clear understanding of how you might proceed based on the outcome you're hoping to achieve.  
• Prompt action to protect your position: We know how serious license suspension and revocation proceedings can be. And we know that time is of the essence. Once you hire us, we'll move quickly to protect your legal interests. We will hold the VBOA to account – we will not let them ignore your legal right to due process, and we will not let them disregard their own rules and procedural guidelines,  
• Experienced attorneys working on your defense: Our Professional License Defense Team has successfully represented numerous individuals facing license suspension and revocation. Should you retain our services, you can rest assured that your case is in capable, experienced hands.    
• Compassionate support and guidance: It's natural to feel a range of emotions when you're facing disciplinary action, including anxiety, anger, and frustration. And while we can't truly understand what you're going through mentally, our team is committed to supporting you every step of the way through this legal process. You will have our unwavering support and guidance, and we can answer any questions you have.  

It's our goal to ensure you feel empowered to make the most suitable choices regarding your professional future. Whether your objective is to have the accusations against you dismissed or you're seeking to minimize the consequences of disciplinary action, we will give you the legal support you need to proceed.  

We Represent CPAs Across Virginia  

Whether you're a new CPA or you have decades of experience, the impact of losing your license is severe. However, no matter where you work in VA, our Professional License Defense Team is here to support you. We can represent CPAs working independently or those working for major accounting firms across VA, in areas including: 

• Charlottesville  
• Danville 
• Lynchburg 
• Richmond-Petersburg 
• Roanoke 
• Staunton 
• Winchester 

Our team works across every corner of Virginia. If you need representation regarding license suspension or revocation, contact the Lento Law Firm now. 

Lento Law Firm CPA License Defense in Virginia  

License investigations against CPAs can be challenging, complex, and daunting procedures. If you're facing the prospect of losing your license, even temporarily, it's critical that you act fast – and effectively. When it comes to the career you've worked so hard to build, there's simply too much at stake to leave anything to chance.  

The Lento Law Firm represents service professionals across the US who are facing license investigations. We understand the nuances involved in negotiating with state licensing boards, and we know what evidence is required to build a compelling case. And most importantly, we care about championing our clients' rights. Our Professional License Defense Team will do everything possible to bring the matter to the most favorable conclusion in the circumstances.  

When you're facing disciplinary action, it's natural to feel alone and isolated. But the Lento Law Firm will stand with you. From the moment you contact us, we're on your side. If you're a CPA in Virginia who needs representation, call the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm now at 888.535.3686. Alternatively, you can leave us a message online.