California's Practice Privilege Being Challenged

For all those practitioners who have been struggling trying to comply with the various state rules on out-of-state licensing, good news may be on the way.

The California Society of CPAs has reversed its position on California's out-of-state licensing rules and has asked the California Board of Accountancy to reconsider its position and hold a “thorough discussion of all issues” during a meeting on February 22nd and 23rd in Sacramento.

We feel that it is imperative for you to join in this discussion!

Please send your thoughts and correspondence to the California Board of Accountancy, 2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95815. You may also want to copy Bruce Allen, CalCPA, Director of Government Relations, 1201 "K" Street, Ste. 1000, Sacramento, CA 95814-3922.

From the beginning of the push toward restrictions on out-of-state licensing, this website has called for a full and open public debate on the merits of these rules as a way to protect the public.

Most state CPA societies ignored the obvious implications of higher costs and complexity to small and midsized CPA firms without a corresponding benefit to the public. There were just a few of us who asked questions that were never answered.

We knew that eventually the problems associated with 54 jurisdictions each having their own rules to limit the practice of public accounting was not in the best interest of the public.

Now is the time for CPAs from across the state and throughout the country to speak out and have their voices heard.

Art Berkowitz, CPA