61H1-33.002: Organization and Administration
61H1-33.0031: Continuing Professional Education/Ethics
61H1-33.0033: Obligations of CPA Ethics Course Continuing Education Providers
61H1-33.0065: Exemption from Renewal Requirements for Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces of the United States
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment in order to clarify language concerning the certified public accountant and to update the requirements for ethics continuing professional education.
SUMMARY: Language concerning the certified public accountant will be clarified and the requirements for ethics continuing professional education will be updated.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 120.55(1)(a)4., 455.02(2), 455.213(6), 455.2178, 455.2179, 473.304, 473.312 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 455.02(2), 455.213(6), 455.2178, 455.2179, 473.312 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Veloria Kelly, Division Director, Board of Accountancy, 240 N.W. 76th Dr., Suite A, Gainesville, Florida 32607
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
61H1-33.002 Organization and Administration.
There is created the Committee on Continuing Professional Education. Subject to the approval of the Board, said Committee shall:
(1) Evaluate and determine, either prospectively or retrospectively, whether specific courses, programs, education and training qualify as formal programs of learning which contribute directly to professional competency of an individual following licensure to practice public accounting, and the credit to be granted therefore;
(2) Determine in individual cases whether professional knowledge and competency have been reestablished by virtue of the completion of such programs; and
(3) Audit the continuing professional education records of Florida certified public accountants licensees on a sample basis from time to time.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 473.304, 473.312 FS. Law Implemented 473.312 FS. HistoryNew 12-4-79, Amended 2-3-81, 7-2-85, Formerly 21A-33.02, 21A-33.002, Amended________.
61H1-33.0031 Continuing Professional Education/Ethics.
Effective with the CPE reporting period ending June 30, 2006:
(1) A Florida certified public accountant licensee must complete no less than four of the total hours required for any reestablishment period in ethics from a provider approved pursuant to Rule 61H1-33.0032, F.A.C.
(2) Licensees shall attain a certificate of course completion prior to completing the exam requirements in Rule 61H1-28.007, F.A.C.
(2)(3) In the event the four hours course is completed taken in two modules, Florida certified public accountants licensees must complete the four-hour requirement with the same provider.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 120.55(1)(a)4., 473.304, 473.312 FS. Law Implemented 455.213(6), 455.2178, 455.2179, 473.312(1)(a), (c) FS. HistoryNew 5-18-05, Amended________.
61H1-33.0033 Obligations of CPA Ethics Course Continuing Education Providers.
To maintain an approved status as an ethics course continuing education provider, the provider must:
(1) Retain documentation that the course instructor is a certified public accountant licensed by a state or territory of the United States who has practiced in a public accounting firm for five of the last ten years, whose background, training, education or experience makes it appropriate for the person to teach the course.
(2) Require each Florida certified public accountant licensee to complete the entire four-hour certified public accountant ethics course requirement in order to receive a certificate of attendance. Offer the four-hour certified public accountant ethics course in one module of four credit hours or two modules of two credit hours.
(3) No change.
(4) Ensure that all promotional material for courses or seminars offered to Florida certified public accountant licensee for credit contain the certified public accountant ethics course provider number and course title.
(5) through (6) No change.
(7) Provide a written examination to each participating Florida certified public accountant licensee in correspondence study courses. In order to complete the course, the Florida certified public accountant licensee must sign and date the examination and receive a minimum grade of eighty percent (80%). If a Florida certified public accountant licensee fails the examination, the Florida certified public accountant licensee will be permitted to take the examination again in order to achieve a passing grade.
(8) through (10) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 120.55(1)(a)4., 455.213(6), 455.2178, 455.2179, 473.304, 473.312 FS. Law Implemented 455.213(6), 455.2178, 455.2179, 473.312(1)(a), (c) FS. HistoryNew 5-18-05, Amended________.
61H1-33.0065 Exemption from Renewal Requirements for Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
A Florida certified public accountant licensee who is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was caused to be absent from the State of Florida because of the spouses duties with the armed forces shall be exempt from all licensure renewal provisions under these rules during such absence. The Florida certified public accountant licensee must show proof to the Board of the absence and the spouses military status.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 455.02(2) FS. Law Implemented 455.02(2) FS. HistoryNew 7-13-04, Amended________.
