The Board proposes the rule amendment to remove the requirement that firms provide branch office information during biennial renewal.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Board of Accountancy

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
61H1-26.003: Licensure of Florida Certified Public Accountant Firms

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to remove the requirement that firms provide branch office information during biennial renewal.

SUMMARY: The requirement that firms provide branch office information during biennial renewal will be removed.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

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.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 473.304, 473.3101 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 473.3101 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Veloria A. Kelly, Division Director, Board of Accountancy, 240 N.W. 76th Drive, Suite A, Gainesville, Florida 32607

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61H1-26.003 Licensure of Florida Certified Public Accountant Firms.

Every Florida firm and non-Florida firm required to be licensed pursuant to Section 473.3101(1)(a), F.S., shall be certified for licensure by the Board on a biennial basis, and shall furnish its firm name, addresses and telephone numbers of main office and any branch offices in Florida as well as the names of all licensed professional staff and all non-licensed owners. Said firms must also disclose whether any non-certified public accountant owners have convictions or findings of guilt, regardless of adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction and judgment or settlements of civil lawsuits, or having been acted against including denial of licensure by any regulatory agency by a court or regulatory agency and any other matters which show a lack of good moral character. (good moral character is defined in Section 473.308(6)(a), F.S.).

 

Rulemaking Authority 473.304, 473.3101 FS. Law Implemented 473.3101 FS. History–New 12-4-79, Amended 2-3-81, Formerly 21A-26.03, Amended 6-4-86, Formerly 21A-26.003, Amended 2-3-94, 12-30-97, 1-26-10,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Accountancy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Accountancy

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 26, 2012

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 29, 2012