Miami Accountant License Defense Lawyer
Florida Professional License Defense Lawyers Representing Certified Public Accountants
Certified public accountants (CPAs) are important professionals in Florida who assist clients with complicated financial matters. Indeed, under Chapter 473 of the Florida Statutes, the state recognizes a significant “need for independent and objective public accountants.” Yet when a public accountant is accused of violating the law, it’s extremely important to work with an experienced Miami accountant license defense lawyer.
At the law offices of Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC, we have years of experiencing assisting clients who face professional disciplinary proceedings. In Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Certified Public Accounting is responsible for regulating CPAs as well as accounting firms. As such, the DBPR handles all matters concerning licensure applications, including applications for licensure by endorsement, temporary permit applications, the reactivation of delinquent or inactive licenses, and accounting firm licensure. The Florida Board of Accountancy also handles CPA requirements for certification, licensure, and reciprocity. If you need representation before the DBPR or the Florida Board of Accountancy, contact an experienced Miami license defense lawyer today.
Florida Law and Public Accountancy
Under Florida Statute Section 473.302, a CPA is defined as an individual who “holds a license to practice public accounting” or an individual who “is practicing public accountancy” in Florida under the laws of Section 473.3141. What is involved in the practice of public accountancy? According to Florida law, public accountancy involves performing or offering to perform different kinds of work related to finance, including but not limited to the following:
- Providing an opinion about a financial statement or financial information;
- Providing tax, management advisory, or consulting services; and
- Preparing financial statements or tax documents.
In order to be licensed as a CPA in the state of Florida, Section 473.308 requires that a person meet several requirements, including passing an examination, having a record of at least 150 semester hours of college education with a concentration in accounting or business, and having at least one year of work experience. An applicant must also be able to show that she “has good moral character.”
What is good moral character? It’s defined by Florida law as “a personal history of honesty, fairness, and respect” for others’ rights and for the laws governing Florida and the country. Many requirements exist to become a licensed CPA, and these requirements can be quite complicated. As such, disciplinary proceedings can be detrimental to a CPA’s ability to earn an income, as well as to his or her professional reputation.
Florida Disciplinary Proceedings Against Public Accountants
Under Florida Statute Section 473.323, CPAs can face disciplinary proceedings for many different kinds of acts or legal violations. Reasons for disciplinary proceedings can include, but are not limited to:
- Attempting to obtain a CPA license through bribery or fraudulent misrepresentation
- Having a CPA license revoked by another state or country;
- Being convicted of a crime related to the practice of public accounting;
- Filing a false report or record;
- Advertising services in a fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading manner; and
- Committing an act of fraud, negligence, or misconduct in the practice of public accounting.
Contact a Miami Professional Responsibility Defense Lawyer Today
Are you facing disciplinary proceedings as a public accountant? Don’t wait to contact an experienced Miami CPA license defense lawyer. Contact the dedicated criminal defense lawyers at the law offices of Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC today.
