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Oregon State Archives

Oregon Bulletin

January 1, 2011

Board of Accountancy
Chapter 801

Rule Caption: Amended to update the effective date of professional standards adopted by the Board.

Adm. Order No.: BOA 1-2010

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-15-2010

Certified to be Effective: 1-1-11

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2010

Rules Amended: 801-001-0035

Subject: The rule is amended to update the effective date of professional standards to January 1, 2011.

Rules Coordinator: Kimberly Bennett—(503) 378-2268

801-001-0035

Professional Standards

The professional standards, interpretations, rulings and rules designated and adopted by the Board in OAR chapter 801 are those in effect as of January 1, 2011.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.332 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.337 & 673.410

Hist.: BOA 2-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 2-2005, f. 2-24-05 cert. ef. 3-1-05; BOA 5-2005, f. 11-22-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; BOA 1-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 1-2007, f. 12-27-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; BOA 1-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 1-2009, f. 12-15-09 cert. ef. 1-1-2010; BOA 1-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

Rule Caption: Clarifications on definitions, addition of censure definition.

Adm. Order No.: BOA 2-2010

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-15-2010

Certified to be Effective: 1-1-11

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2010

Rules Amended: 801-005-0010

Subject: The rules is revised to clarify some definitions and add a definition for ‘censure.’

Rules Coordinator: Kimberly Bennett—(503) 378-2268

801-005-0010

Definitions

As used in OAR Chapter 801, the following terms or abbreviations have the following meanings, unless otherwise defined therein:

(1) AICPA means American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

(2) Applicant means a person applying for a certificate, license or permit to practice public accountancy.

(3) Attestation Services means the following financial statement services must be performed under the following standards means :

(a) An audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with the Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS):

(b) A review of a financial statement to be performed in accordance with the Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS);

(d) An engagement to be performed in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in the United States (PCAOB)

(e) The statements on standards specified in subsections (a) through (c) of this definition are those developed by the AICPA.

(4) Business organization means any form of business organization authorized by law, including but not limited to a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or professional corporation.

(5) CPA or Certified Public Accountant means a person who has a certificate of certified public accountant issued under ORS 673.040.

(6) CPA Exam means the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.

(7) CPE means continuing professional education.

(8) Candidate means a person applying for the CPA Exam.

(9) Censure means an official written expression of reprimand, by Board action, to a licensee for specified conduct.

(10) Certificate means a certificate of certified public accountant issued under ORS 673.040.

(11) Client means a person or entity who agrees with a licensee to receive any professional service from the licensee.

(12) Commission means a fee calculated as a percentage of the total value of the sale of a product or service that is paid or received in the form of money or other valuable consideration.

(13) Compilation Services means a professional service performed in accordance with the Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) that is presenting, in the form of financial statements, information that is the representation of management (owners) without undertaking to express any assurance on the statements.

(14) Contingent fee means a fee established for the performance of any professional service and directly or indirectly paid to a licensee pursuant to an arrangement in which no fee will be charged unless a specified finding or result is attained, or in which the amount of the fee is otherwise dependent upon the finding or result of such service. A fee is not contingent if the fee:

(a) Is fixed by courts or other public authorities; or

(b) In tax matters, is determined based on the results of judicial proceedings or the findings of governmental agencies.

(15) Enterprise means any person or entity, whether organized for profit or not, for which a licensee provides public accounting services.

(16) Fees includes commissions, contingent fees and referral fees.

(17) Financial statements means the presentation of financial data, including accompanying notes, that is derived from accounting records and intended to communicate an entity’s economic resources or obligations or the changes therein, at a specific point in time, and/or the results of operations for a specific period of time, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or a comprehensive basis of accounting other than generally accepted accounting principles. Financial presentations included in tax returns are not financial statements. Incidental financial data included in management advisory services reports to support recommendations to a client are not financial statements. The method of preparation (for example, manual or computer preparation) is not relevant to the definition of a financial statement.

(18) Firm means a business organization as defined in ORS 673.010 that is engaged in the practice of public accountancy and is required to be registered with the Board.

(19) First time candidate means a candidate for the CPA exam who is sitting for the exam for the first time in Oregon.

(20) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles means accounting principles or standards generally accepted in the United States, including but not limited to Statements of Financial Accounting Standards and interpretations thereof, as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and Statements of Governmental Accounting Standards and interpretations thereof, as published by the Government Accounting Standards Board.

(21) Generally Accepted Auditing Standards means the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, together with interpretations thereof, as set forth in Statements on Auditing Standards issued by the AICPA, and for federal audits, the Single Audit Act and related U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circulars published by the Government Accountability Office.

(22) Holding out as a CPA or PA means to assume or use by oral or written communication the titles or designations “certified public accountant” or “public accountant” or the abbreviations “CPA” or “PA”, or any number or other title, sign, card, device or use of any internet domain or e-mail name, tending to indicate that the person holds a certificate or license and permit in good standing issued under the authority of ORS 673 as a certified public accountant or a public accountant.

(23) Inactive status is a permit status that may be granted to a licensee who is not holding out as a CPA or PA and otherwise not engaged in the practice of public accountancy, if the license is not suspended, on probation or revoked.

(24) In good standing means the status of a holder of a permit, license or registration issued by any jurisdiction, that is not inactive, suspended, revoked, on probation or lapsed.

(25) Jurisdiction means the licensing authority for the practice of public accountancy in any state, U.S. Territory or foreign country.

(26) License: means

(a) A certificate, permit or registration, or a license issued under ORS 673.100, enabling the holder thereof to practice public accountancy in this state; or

(b) A certificate, permit, registration or other authorization issued by a jurisdiction outside this state enabling the holder thereof to practice public accountancy in that jurisdiction.

(27) Licensee means the holder of a license as defined in these rules.

(28) Material participation means participation that is regular, continuous and substantial.

(29) Manager means a manager of a limited liability company.

(30) Member means a member of a limited liability company.

(31) NASBA means National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

(32) Non-licensee owner means a person who does not hold a certificate, license or permit as a certified public accountant or public accountant in Oregon or in any other jurisdiction.

(33) PA or Public Accountant means a person who is the holder of a license issued under ORS 673.100.

(34) Peer Review means a study, appraisal or review of one or more aspects of the public accountancy work of a holder of a permit under ORS 673.150 or of a registered business organization that performs attestation or compilation services that is conducted by a CPA who holds an active license issued by any state or a public accountant licensed under 673.100 who was required to pass the audit section of the Uniform CPA Exam as a requirement for licensing. The peer reviewer must also be independent of the permit holder or registered business organization being reviewed.

(35) Permit means a permit to practice public accountancy issued under ORS 673.150.

(36) Practice of public accountancy means performance of or any offer to perform one or more services for a client or potential client, including the performance of such services while in the employ of another person by a licensee while holding out as a CPA or PA, of the professional services of accounting, tax, personal financial planning, litigation support services, and those professional services for which standards are promulgated. These standards include Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, Statements on Auditing Standards, Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, Statements on Standards for Consulting Services, Statements of Governmental Accounting Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards, Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements, and Statements on Standards for Valuation Services.

(37) Principal Place of Business means the office location designated by a person for purposes of substantial equivalency and reciprocity.

(38) Professional means arising out of or related to the specialized knowledge or skills associated with certified public accountants and public accountants.

(39) Professional services means any services performed or offered to be performed by a licensee for a client or potential client in the course of the practice of public accountancy.

(40) Regional Accreditation means the college or university is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations or by another accrediting body that is recognized by the Board.

(41) Referral fee means a referral fee that includes, but is not limited to, a rebate, preference, discount or any item of value, whether in the form of money or otherwise, given or received by a certified public accountant, public accountant or firm, to or from any third party, directly or indirectly, in exchange for the purchase of any product or service, unless made in the ordinary course of business.

(42) Registration means the authority issued under ORS 673.160 to a business organization to practice public accountancy in this state.

(43) Report see OAR 801-005-0200 and OAR 801-005-0300.

(44) Returning candidate means a person who has received grades for any section of the Uniform CPA exam who applies to sit for any part of the CPA exam in Oregon.

(45) Single Audit Act means the Single Audit Act with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, as published by the United States Government Accountability Office, Office of Management and Budget.

(46) Standards for Accounting and Review Services means the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services published by the AICPA.

(47) Standards for board approved peer review programs means the Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews published by the AICPA.

(48) Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements means the statements by that name issued by the AICPA.

(49) State means any state, territory or insular possession of the United States, and the District of Columbia.

(50) Substantial equivalency means:

(a) An individual holds a valid license as a certified public accountant from another state that requires an individual, as a condition of licensure as a certified public accountant to:

(A) Complete at least 150 semester hours of college education and obtain a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a college or university;

(B) Achieve a passing grade on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination; and

(C) Possess at least one year of experience, verified by a licensee, providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attestation, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or related consulting skills, obtained through public practice or government, industry or academic work; or

(b) An individual has the qualifications specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection and holds a valid license as a certified public accountant from another state that does not require an individual to have the qualifications specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection as a condition of licensure as a certified public accountant.

(51) Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) is a model bill and set of regulations designed by the AICPA and NASBA to provide a uniform approach to regulation of the accounting profession, provisions of which may or may not be adopted by state boards of accountancy.

(52) Valid means a certified public accountant certificate or permit, a public accountant license or permit, municipal roster authority, firm registration or chartered accountant certificate that is in active status and in good standing with the appropriate licensing authority. A license or certificate in active status is one that is not revoked, suspended, subject to probation, lapsed or inactive.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310

Stats. Implemented: ORS 670.310

Hist.: 1AB 2-1982, f. & ef. 10-15-86 AB 1-1989, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-89; AB 2-1990, f. & cert ef. 4-9-90; AB 1-1992, f. & cert. ef. 2-18-92; AB 1-1993, f. 1-14-93, cert. ef. 1-15-93; AB 6-1993(Temp), f. 11-2-93, cert. ef. 11-4-93; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 5-1994, f. & cert. ef. 11-10-94; AB 2-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-22-95; AB 3-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-19-95; AB 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-8-95; AB 1-1996, f. & cert. ef. 1-29-96; AB 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 9-25-96; AB 2-1997, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-97; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 6-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 3-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 2-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 3-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 3-2005, f. 2-24-05 cert. ef. 3-1-05; BOA 6-2005, f. 11-22-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; BOA 5-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 2-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 2-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. f. 1-1-11

Rule Caption: Revise supervisor licensee roles and responsibilities; create a firm reinstatement, complaint procedure revision.

Adm. Order No.: BOA 3-2010

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-15-2010

Certified to be Effective: 1-1-11

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2010

Rules Amended: 801-010-0010, 801-010-0050, 801-010-0060, 801-010-0065, 801-010-0073, 801-010-0075, 801-010-0078, 801-010-0079, 801-010-0080, 801-010-0100, 801-010-0110, 801-010-0115, 801-010-0120, 801-010-0125, 801-010-0130, 801-010-0170, 801-010-0190, 801-010-0340, 801-010-0345

Subject: General housekeeping,increase firm renewal late fee and create municipal roster application fee, amend and clarify rules for pertaining to supervisor licensee, clarify procedures for complaint processing and review, create reinstatement for firms who allow their registration to lapse.

Rules Coordinator: Kimberly Bennett—(503) 378-2268

801-010-0010

Fees, Civil Penalties and Cost Recovery

For the purpose of ORS 673.010 to 673.455 and 297.670 to 297.740, the Board of Accountancy shall charge the following fees:

(1) Application fees. All application fees are non- refundable.

(a) CPA Examination:

(A) Initial Examination — $100.

(B) Re-Examination — $50.

(b) CPA Certificate or PA License — $150.

(2) Initial permit and registration fees:

(a) Initial CPA or PA Permit — $160.

(b) Municipal Auditor — $100.

(3) Biennial renewal application fees:

(a) Active CPA and PA Permits — $160.

(b) Inactive CPA and PA — $50.

(d) Firm Registration — $175.

(4) Late renewal penalty fees:

(a) Active CPA and PA Permits — $50.

(b) Inactive CPA and PA — $35.

(5) Miscellaneous fees:

(a) Copies of existing mailing lists shall be provided for a fee equal to the amount necessary to prepare each list, including the cost of materials, if any, and the cost of staff time. Staff time shall be calculated at the hourly rates stated in subsection (d) of this section.

(b) Municipal Auditor lists shall be provided at no charge to municipal entities that are subject to audit law.

(c) Copies of records made on a standard office copy machine shall be charged a minimum fee of $2.50 for five pages or less, and 25 cents per page thereafter. If certified copies of records are requested, there will be a $2.50 fee for each document certified in addition to the copy cost.

(d) Staff time required to locate, produce, summarize or otherwise provide records shall be charged as follows: Staff time, $23 per hour, in quarter hour increments at $5.75 per quarter hour.

(6) Civil Penalties assessed for Specific Violations.

(a) Failure to provide change of address in 30 days — $100.

(b) Failure to renew firm registration by January 31 — $500.

(d) Failure to respond to Notice of CPE audit and all follow-up in 21 days — $250.

(e) Failure to respond to Notice of Peer Review Audit in 21 days — $1000.

(f) Failure to respond in 21 days to any Board Communication that is not described above — $100.

(7) Cost Recovery. The Board may recover costs associated with a contested case hearing in which the Board has prevailed. The following costs may be included in cost recovery:

(a) Attorney General Fees;

(b) Administrative Hearing Costs;

(d) Expert Witness Fees;

(e) Costs of Appeal.

(8) Form of Payment:

(a) Checks or money orders shall be made payable to “Oregon Board of Accountancy”.

(b) Visa and MasterCard payments may be submitted in person, by mail or by fax. Any Visa or MasterCard that is rejected by the bank and requested to be confiscated will be retained and returned to the bank. All payments by Visa or MasterCard that are rejected must be paid in full by a check or money order within ten days from notification of rejection. All payments received after Board deadlines, including, but not limited to payments for renewals, applications and civil penalties, will be considered late and a late penalty will be assessed.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.040, 673.060, 673.100, 673.150, 673.160, 197.720 & 673.153

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673, 297 & 192.440

Hist.: 1AB 10, f. 2-7-63; 1AB 14, f. 8-15-68; 1AB 20, f. 10-22-71, ef. 11-15-71; 1AB 34, f. 1-29-74, ef. 2-25-74; 1AB 41, f. & ef. 12-2-76; 1AB 44, f. & ef. 3-31-77; 1AB 48, f. & ef. 7-21-77; 1AB 6-1978, f. & ef. 6-22-78; 1AB 7-1981, f. & ef. 7-27-81; 1AB 2-1983, f. & ef. 9-20-83; AB 3-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-88; AB 2-1989, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-89; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1995, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-95; AB 5-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-95; AB 1-1996, f. & cert. ef. 1-29-96; AB 1-1997, f. & cert. ef. 1-28-97; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 6-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 7-1998(Temp), f. & cert. 7-29-98 thru 1-25-99; BOA 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-22-98; BOA 4-1999, f. & cert. ef. 7-23-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 4-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 2-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0050

Application for Uniform CPA Examination

(1) Definitions.

(a) Authorization to Test (ATT): Issued by the Board of Accountancy to eligible exam candidates to authorize the candidate to test for specified sections of the CPA exam. The ATT may be issued for one or more CPA exam sections. Each ATT authorizes the candidate to take each CPA exam section designated in the ATT one time only. The ATT may become expired as to one exam section named in the ATT, and remain valid as to other specified exam sections. The candidate must submit an application and re-examination fee to the Board of Accountancy for any exam section that is expired under the ATT or to retake any section of the CPA Exam not passed.

(b) Notice to Schedule (NTS): Issued by NASBA and enables the candidate to schedule testing at an examination test center. The NTS must remain open until the candidate schedules testing or until six months have elapsed since the NTS was issued, whichever occurs first.

(c) Testing Center: Computer testing facilities, approved by the Board and listed on the Board website, at which candidates may take the CPA examination. Testing centers are located throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

(d) Testing Opportunity: Each testing window is considered a testing opportunity. There are four testing opportunities per year. A candidate may test for a particular section only once per testing window. A candidate may not retake a failed test section(s) in the same testing window.

(e) Testing Windows: The testing window is comprised of two months in which the examination is available to be taken and one month in which the examination will not be offered so that exam sections can be graded and maintenance may be performed.

(2) Applications.

(a) Applications for the CPA exam must be submitted on a form provided by the Board and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. The act of filing an application for the CPA exam constitutes an agreement by the candidate to observe and comply with the CPA Exam rules adopted by the Board.

(b) An application will not be reviewed until the application fee and all required supporting documents have been received, including proof of identity (as determined by the Board and specified on the application form), official transcripts and evidence that the candidate has met eligibility requirements.

(c) All foreign academic credentials submitted as evidence of eligibility for the CPA exam are required to be evaluated by a credentialing agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES);

(d) An application for the CPA examination must be complete in every particular within 3 months from the date it is received at the Board office. If an application is incomplete, the candidate will be found ineligible and the file will be closed. A candidate whose file has been closed as described herein is required to submit a new application, application fee and all required documents.

(e) Candidates shall pay the CPA exam application fee designated in OAR 801-010-0010 to the Board. All other fees associated with the CPA exam are required to be paid to NASBA. All CPA exam fees are non-refundable. If a candidate fails to appear for a scheduled testing at an approved test center, all fees paid will be forfeited for the examinations scheduled on that day.

(f) At the time of application and during the time any ATT issued by the Oregon Board of Accountancy is open, the candidate must not have an open ATT for the same section in any other state or jurisdiction.

(g) The candidate must certify at the time of application that he or she is in compliance with subsection (f) of this rule. Falsifying this certification or including any false, fraudulent, or materially misleading statements on the application for the examination, or including any material omission on the application for the examination is cause for disciplinary action under ORS 673.170.

(h) The Board or its designee will forward authorization to test (ATT) for the computer-based CPA exam to the candidate and to the NASBA National Candidate Database once eligibility is determined.

(i) The Board will offer a candidate the opportunity to voluntarily disclose the candidate’s social security number to the Board so that the Board may provide the social security number to NASBA for identification purposes.

(3) Eligibility under education requirements. Candidates for admission to the CPA exam after January 1, 2000 that apply under the educational requirements of ORS 673.050(1)(a) must demonstrate eligibility as follows:

(a) 150 Hour rule: Satisfactory evidence that the candidate has successfully completed 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours, including:

(A) A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university as described in ORS 673.050(1)(a);

(B) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours, or the equivalent thereof, in the study of accounting; and

(C) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in accounting or related subjects. Related subjects are defined as business, finance, economics, and written and oral communication.

(D) The required number of hours in accounting or related subjects may be obtained by satisfactory completion of such hours taken from divisions of continuing education extended by a regionally accredited four-year college or university, or from a community college, providing the community college courses are transferable as equivalent courses to an accredited four-year college or university.

(E) Credit for community college courses. Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university may obtain additional hours from a community college, if such hours would be transferable to an accredited college or university. However, completion of 150 hours consisting entirely of courses taken from a community college or divisions of continuing education shall not be considered equivalent to a baccalaureate or higher degree from a four-year accredited college or university under the requirements of ORS 673.050.

(b) Candidates who applied before January 1, 2000: Returning candidates after January 1, 2000 who do not meet the educational requirement under ORS 673.050(1)(a) are required to sit for at least two sections of the CPA exam, per calendar year, in order to maintain eligibility under the requirements of ORS 673.050, which were in effect prior to January 1, 2000. Returning candidates must provide satisfactory evidence that:

(A) The candidate met CPA exam eligibility requirements that were in effect in Oregon at the time the candidate sat for the CPA exam for the first time in any jurisdiction; and

(B) The candidate sat for and received grades for at least one of the Uniform CPA Examinations in any jurisdiction in 1998 or 1999.

(c) Evidence of eligibility. Candidates must meet all requirements under this rule at the time of application. Satisfactory evidence of the educational requirement may be provided in the following manner:

(A) Candidates who have completed all course requirements and been awarded a baccalaureate or higher degree must provide an official transcript(s) demonstrating successful completion of all courses required under these rules, and that a degree was awarded.

(B) Candidates who have completed all course requirements at the time of application, but for whom a baccalaureate degree has not yet been awarded must provide an official transcript(s) showing successful completion of all courses required under these rules, together with a letter from the Registrar’s Office of the college or university stating that the candidate has met the degree requirements and the date that the degree will be awarded.

(C) Only official transcripts that are forwarded directly to the Board office by the issuing college or university will be accepted.

(D) Colleges or universities, which are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations and listed as accredited in the Directory of Post secondary Institutions, published by the National Center for Education Statistics, are recognized by the Board.

(4) Eligibility under experience standards. Candidates for the CPA exam who are applying under the experience requirements of ORS 673.050(2) to be licensed as a Public Accountant must submit satisfactory evidence that:

(a) The candidate graduated from a high school with a four-year program, or the equivalent; and

(b) The candidate completed two years of experience in public accountancy or the equivalent satisfactory to the Board that meets the requirements of OAR 801-010-0100(2) and OAR 801-010-0065(2).

(c) Returning candidates after January 1, 2002 who were eligible to take two sections of the CPA Exam under provisions of ORS 673.100 in effect prior to January 1, 2002, are required to sit for at least one exam section in any two testing windows each year in order to maintain eligibility under those requirements.

(5) Authorization to Test and Notice to Schedule.

(a) An ATT authorizes the candidate to test one time for those sections of the CPA exam that are specified in the ATT. An ATT is effective for six months from the date on which the corresponding NTS is issued or until the NTS expires, whichever occurs first; however, the ATT will expire ninety (90) days after it is issued if the candidate has not paid the appropriate fees to NASBA.

(b) Expiration of the ATT. Authorization to take a specified exam section will expire on any of the following events:

(A) When the candidate schedules and takes a designated exam section;

(B) If the candidate schedules a testing date for a designated exam section but fails to appear and take the section at the scheduled time;

(D) If the candidate fails to request an NTS and pay the appropriate fees to NASBA within 90 days of the date the ATT is issued.

(c) Suspension of the ATT. An ATT may be suspended by the Board of Accountancy based on a report from NASBA that a problem related to the candidate is identified on the National Candidate Database, or for other good cause as determined by the Board.

(d) Payment of CPA Exam testing fees. To obtain a Notice to Schedule (NTS), the candidate must remit the CPA exam testing fees required for the CPA exam sections specified in the ATT to NASBA within ninety (90) days from the date the ATT is issued. Failure to remit the required fees and obtain the NTS will cause the ATT to expire, and the candidate must submit a re-examination application to the Board, with the appropriate CPA exam fee, to receive another ATT.

(e) NTS. When the candidate receives an ATT from the Board, the candidate is required to:

(A) Submit to NASBA payment of all fees related to testing of the CPA exam sections authorized by the ATT;

(B) Upon receipt of the NTS, contact an approved test center to schedule the time and place for testing of the exam sections authorized by the NTS. CPA exam sections do not have to be scheduled on the same date.

(C) The NTS remains valid for each exam section until the candidate schedules testing for that specific section, or for six months from the date the NTS was issued, whichever occurs first.

(D) The NTS expires as to each individual exam section when the candidate schedules testing for that section, whether or not the candidate appears at the scheduled testing appointment.

(f) Testing.

(A) A candidate may schedule testing at an approved testing center in Oregon or in another jurisdiction. A list of approved testing centers is on the Board of Accountancy website.

(B) Candidates must comply with the procedures and rules of the test center.

(g) Re-examination. A completed re-examination application and payment of the appropriate fee to the Board of Accountancy is required:

(A) To retake any exam section that the candidate does not pass;

(B) To obtain an NTS for any exam section that the candidate failed to schedule during the six-month period for which a previous NTS was issued;

(C) To obtain an NTS for any exam section for which the candidate failed to obtain an NTS during the ninety (90) day period after the date the ATT was issued.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.050 & 673.100

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.050, 673.100 & 673.410

Hist.: 1AB 10, f. 2-7-63; 1AB 14, f. 8-15-68; 1AB 20, f. 10-22-71, ef. 11-15-71; 1AB 34, f. 1-29-74, ef. 2-25-74; 1AB 41, f. & ef. 12-2-76; 1AB 44, f. & ef. 3-31-77; 1AB 48, f. & ef. 7-21-77; 1AB 6-1978, f. & ef. 6-22-78; 1AB 7-1981, f. & ef. 7-27-81; 1AB 2-1983, f. & ef. 9-20-83; AB 3-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-88; AB 2-1989, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-89; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1995, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-95; AB 5-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-95; AB 1-1996, f. & cert. ef. 1-29-96; AB 1-1997, f. & cert. ef. 1-28-97; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 6-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 7-1998(Temp), f. & cert. 7-29-98 thru 1-25-99; BOA 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-22-98; BOA 4-1999, f. & cert. ef. 7-23-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 1-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-15-04 thru 7-1-04; BOA 2-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-2-04 thru 12-29-04; BOA 4-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 7-2005, f. 11-22-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 2-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0060

Credit for Uniform CPA Examination Sections

(1) Exam section requirements.

(a) A candidate may sit for any of the four sections of the computer-based CPA exam individually and in any order. A candidate who fails to pass any section of the exam may retake that section; however, a candidate may not retake a failed section more than once in any testing window.

(b) Candidates who were eligible under the provisions of ORS 673.050(2) (1999 Edition) and who sat and received grades for two sections of the CPA exam before January 1, 2002 are required to take and pass the following two sections of the CPA exam: Regulation and Audit & Attestation.

(c) After January 1, 2002, candidates who are eligible under ORS 673.050(2) (2001 Edition) to take the CPA exam as a public accountant candidate are required to take and pass the following three sections of the CPA exam: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Regulation, and Business Environment & Concepts.

(2) Credit for CPA exam sections.

(a) The passing grade for all sections of the exam is 75

(b) Credit for Computer Based CPA Exam. Upon implementation of the computer based CPA exam, a candidate may take the required exam sections individually and in any order. Credit for any exam section(s) passed are valid for eighteen (18) months from the actual date the candidate took that section(s), without having to attain a minimum score on any failed section and without regard to whether the candidate has taken other exam sections provided that:

(A) Candidates must pass all four sections of the CPA exam within a rolling eighteen month period, which begins on the date of the first section is passed;

(B) Upon passing any CPA exam section, the passing date of that section is the date the candidate took the section; and

(C) Candidates who do not pass all sections of the CPA exam within the rolling eighteen month period lose credit for any section passed outside the eighteen month period and that section must be retaken.

(c) The Board may extend the period for conditional credit for an exam section upon demonstration by the candidate that the credit was lost because of circumstances beyond the candidate’s control.

(d) The time limitations for a candidate to complete all sections of the CPA exam may be extended by the Board because of illness, accident or other exigent circumstance, and shall be extended during the time a candidate is in active military service.

(3) Transfer of CPA exam scores from other jurisdictions. The Board allows the transfer of CPA exam scores and may grant credit to a candidate who has successfully completed any section of the CPA exam in another jurisdiction if the Board determines that:

(a) The examination for which credit is requested is the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination;

(b) The candidate received a grade of 75 or higher in the section passed; and

(c) A candidate who first sat for the CPA exam, after January 1, 2000, and met the 150 hour educational requirement at the time the section was taken and passed for which grades are requested to be transferred.

[ED. NOTE: Tables referenced are available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.050, 673.060 & 673.075

Hist.: 1AB 12, f. 3-30-65; 1AB 14, f. 8-15-68; 1AB 16, f. 1-30-70, ef. 2-25-70; 1AB 19, f. 10-22-71, ef. 11-15-71; 1AB 21, f. 3-2-72, ef. 3-15-72; 1AB 30, f. 9-18-73, ef. 10-1-73; 1AB 35, f. 10-29-74, ef. 11-25-74; 1AB 36, f. 1-28-75, ef. 2-25-75; 1AB 40, f. & ef. 5-5-76; 1AB 41, f. & ef. 12-2-76; 1AB 43, f. & ef. 3-31-77; 1AB 2-1978, f. & ef. 3-21-78; 1AB 11-1978, f. & ef. 12-1-78; 1AB 3-1979, f. & ef. 12-21-79; 1AB 2-1980, f. & ef. 4-8-80; 1AB 3-1980, f. 10-23-80, ef. 12-1-80; 1AB 5-1981, f. & ef. 7-27-81; 1AB 6-1981, f. & ef. 7-27-81; 1AB 3-1982, f. & ef. 4-20-82; 1AB 2-1984, f. & ef. 5-21-84; 1AB 3-1984, f. 12-19-84, ef. 1-1-85; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 3-1994, f. & cert. ef. 8-10-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 5-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-95; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 4-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0065

Qualifications for Certification

(1) Requirements. Applicants for the certificate of Certified Public Accountant must meet the following requirements:

(a) Complete and pass all sections of the CPA exam;

(b) Complete and pass an ethics exam that has been adopted by the Board; and

(A) Applicants who qualified for the CPA exam by meeting CPA exam requirements under provisions of ORS 673.040 in effect prior to January 1, 2000 are required to have two years of experience and competency in the seven core areas described in this rule, which means at least 24 months of full-time employment, or a total of 4,160 hours of part-time employment. One hundred seventy-three (173) hours of part-time employment is equivalent to one month. Qualifying part-time employment must be at least 20 hours per week.

(B) Applicants who qualified for the CPA exam by meeting the CPA exam requirements under ORS 673.040 (1999 Edition), otherwise known as the “150-hour rule”, that is effective after January 1, 2000, must have at least 12 months of full-time employment, or a total of 2,080 hours of part-time employment. One hundred seventy-three (173) hours of part-time employment is equivalent to one month. Qualifiying part-time employment must be at least 20 hours per week and must apply under one of the following paths:

(i) Attest Experience, applicants who gained experience under the attest function are required to have at least one year of experience and competency in the seven core areas described in this rule.

(ii) Other Professional Standards: applicants who gained experience in other professional standards are required to have at least one year experience and competency in the seven core areas described in this rule.

(iii) Industry, Government and Other: applicants who gained experience in industry, government or other area not described above are required to have at least one-year of experience and competency in the seven core areas as described in this rule.

(C) Applicants who sat and received grades at the CPA exam prior to January 1, 2000, without the completion of 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours, may choose to complete the 150 hour requirement under ORS 673.050(1)(a) and meet the experience requirement by completing the required hours of experience as described in paragraph (1)(c)(B)(i) through (iii) of this rule.

(d) The experience and examination requirements must be obtained and completed within eight years immediately preceding the date of application for a certificate.

(2) Experience Requirements.

(a) “Supervisor licensee” is a person who qualifies under this rule as a supervisor for the purpose of verifying the experience requirement of an applicant for a CPA certificate under OAR 801-010-0065 or the experience requirement of an applicant for a public accountant license under OAR 801-010-0100.

(b) To qualify as a supervisor licensee the person providing supervision must have held an active CPA license issued by any state or a PA license issued under ORS 673.100 or a chartered accountant certificate recognized by the Board under OAR 801-010-0085for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to such supervision and during the period of supervision.

(c) A licensee who provides direct supervision over an applicant must act as supervisor licensee and shall certify to the Board whether or not the applicant has gained qualifying experience under this rule.

(d)(A) “Direct supervision” as used in this rule means that there is a regular and meaningful interaction between the supervisor licensee and the person being supervised in terms of planning, coordinating, guiding, inspecting, controlling, and evaluating activities, and having authority to influence the decision to discharge the employee being supervised.

(B) A licensee who acts as a consultant or independent contractor to the applicant’s employer will not generally meet the requirement of direct supervision. The Board may consider an exception if the consultant or independent contractor has a written agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities as well as the hours worked monthly and the reporting requirements to the employer.

(e) The experience required under ORS 673.040 must consist solely of experience within activities generally performed by certified public accountants and public accountants licensed in Oregon, including (but not limited to) financial statement audits, financial statement reviews, financial statement compilations, attestation engagements, financial forecasts and projections, pro forma financial information, compliance attestations, management advisory services, tax advisory services, tax return preparation, personal financial planning or reporting on an entity’s internal controls.

(f) Overtime hours worked are not credited toward the experience requirement.

(3) Experience portfolio. The applicant must develop a portfolio of experience that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant has achieved experience in all of the following competencies:

(a) Understanding of the Code of Professional Conduct promulgated and adopted by the Board;

(b) Ability to assess the achievement of a client’s objectives by demonstrating knowledge of various business organizations, understanding of the objectives and goals of business entities, ability to develop and analyze performance measures and critical success factors, and understanding of the economic and regulatory trends that affect the environment of a business entity.

(c) Experience in preparing working papers that include sufficient relevant data to support the analysis and conclusions required by the applicant’s work.

(d) Understanding transaction streams and information systems, including the ability to understand how individual transactions aggregate at the organizational level, to infer how transactions impact the organization as a whole, and to evaluate the integrity and reliability of various client information systems, including relevant computer aspects.

(e) Skills in risk assessment and verification demonstrated by a sufficient understanding of accounting and other information systems to:

(A) Assess the risk of misstatement in an information system;

(B) Obtain sufficient relevant data based on the risk of misstatement and the nature of the engagement to determine the appropriateness of underlying data in terms of its completeness, existence and occurrence, valuation and allocation, rights and obligations, presentation and disclosures.

(f) Skills in decision making, problem solving, critical analytical thinking including the ability to evaluate and interpret sufficient relevant data in a variety of engagements and settings. For example, the candidate must evaluate a client’s cash flow, profitability, liquidity, solvency, operating cycle, achievement of management’s plans, accomplishment of service efforts and systems reliability.

(g) Ability to express scope of work, findings and conclusions including the ability to determine the appropriateness of reports on financial statements, system reliability, or reports expressing scope of work, findings and conclusions.

(4) Qualifying experience. An applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that the portfolio of experience submitted is of sufficient quality and diversity to meet the requirements of this rule. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the following categories:

(a) Experience based on attest or assurance. Experience that demonstrates the competencies prescribed in section (3) of this rule must be obtained while the applicant is:

(A) Employed in public practice on the staff of a public accountant, a certified public accountant or a firm of public accountants or certified public accountants;

(B) Engaged in employment that is equivalent to that described in paragraph (4)(a)(A) of this rule including internal audit employment; or

(C) Employed in an organization where employment is equivalent to that described in paragraph (4)(a)(A) of this rule if a peer review is conducted or if such employment is with audit agencies, internal audit departments or other organizations where a peer review is conducted. Experience under this subsection must include:

(i) Conducting attest-oriented functions where third party reliance is an objective of the report;

(ii) Preparing opinions in accordance with professional standards;

(iii) Preparing financial statements with footnotes to generally accepted accounting principles or other comprehensive bases of accounting;

(iv) The audit agency, internal audit department, or other organization is independent of the entity, and

(v) Accounting and review services.

(D) “Third party reliance” as used in this rule means:

(i) Actual third party reliance, such as takes place with respect to the reader of financial statements upon which an audit opinion has been rendered by a public accountant licensed in Oregon or a certified public accountant;

(ii) Audits performed by government agencies, including tax authorities, on organizations which are not subject to management control by the auditing agency; or

(iii) Financial audits performed by independent working groups where the purpose of the audit is reliance by the board of directors on the fairness of the presentation of internally generated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or other comprehensive bases of accounting.

(b) Experience based on other professional standards. Any other experience that demonstrates the competencies prescribed in section (3) of this rule must be obtained while the applicant is:

(A) Employed in public practice on the staff of a public accountant, a certified public accountant or a firm of public accountants or certified public accountants; or

(B) Experience described in paragraph (4)(b) of this rule must be performed in accordance with the standards of the profession. For example, other experience may be performed in accordance with the established standards for:

(i) Consulting services;

(ii) Tax practice;

(iii) Personal financial planning;

(iv) Internal audits;

(v) Regulatory agencies.

(c) Experience based on industry, government, and other. Qualifying experience that demonstrates the competencies described in section (3) of this rule may also be obtained while the applicant is employed in industry, government, or other settings under the direct supervision of a public accountant or certified public accountant as provided under this rule.

(A) Industry, government or other experience related to subsection (3)(b) of this rule, assessing the achievement of an entity’s objectives, will include obtaining an understanding of the industry in which the entity operates, including the employer’s competition (or other similar service providers in the case of government) and key competitiveness factors that affect the industry.

(B) Industry, government or other experience related to subsection (3)(d) of this rule, understanding transaction streams and information systems, will include assessing the adequacy of an entity’s internal controls.

(C) Experience, other than experience described in subsections (4)(a) and (b) of this rule will be evaluated by the Board on a case-by-case basis to ensure that experience is equivalent to subsection (4)(a) or (b) of this rule.

(5) Submitting applications to the Board.

(a) An applicant’s file must be complete in every particular within three months of the date of application or the file will be closed and the permit fee will be refunded. The application fee is not refundable.

(b) An applicant’s file may be included on the agenda of any meeting of the Board if the file is complete in every particular no less than seven days prior to the date of a scheduled Board meeting.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040

Hist.: 1AB 3-1984, f. 12-19-84, ef. 1-1-85; AB 2-1988, f. 3-31-88, cert. ef. 3-30-88; AB 7-1989, f. & cert. ef. 9-11-89; AB 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-91; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 2-1993, f. 1-14-93, cert. ef. 1-15-93; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1995, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-95; AB 5-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-95; AB 3-1997, f. & cert. ef. 6-5-97; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 3-1998, f. & cert. ef 6-16-98; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 9-1998, f. & cert. ef. 11-10-98; BOA 1-1999, f. & cert. ef. 1-20-99; BOA 3-1999, f. & cert. ef. 3-26-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2000, f. 8-30-00, cert. ef. 9-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0073

Certification of Applicant’s Experience

(1) Requirement to provide verification of experience.

(a) A supervisor licensee who is requested by an applicant to submit evidence of the applicant’s experience to the Board or to the licensing agency of another jurisdiction must complete and submit a certificate of experience for such applicant within 21 days of the request.

(b) The certificate of experience must be made on forms provided by the Board. A supervisor licensee who completes and submits a certificate of experience must certify in writing that the experience obtained under the licensee’s supervision is sufficient to fulfill the requirements of OAR 801-010-0065.

(c) A supervisor licensee who submits a certification of experience must maintain the Competency Evaluation worksheet for a period of three years after the applicant’s certificate is issued.

(d) A supervisor licensee must not commit any act, which unjustly jeopardizes an applicant’s ability to obtain a certificate in this or any jurisdiction.

(2) Cooperation of supervisor licensee. A supervisor licensee who has furnished evidence of an applicant’s experience to the Board must provide full cooperation with any Board inquiry pertaining to such certification.

(a) The supervisor licensee must respond in writing to any request for further information from the Board including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Description of any disagreement between an applicant and the supervisor licensee as to dates, quality, and/or type of work performed;

(B) Explanation regarding a certificate of experience submitted to the Board for which the period of experience appears to be unduly short for achievement of the competencies;

(C) Verification, on a sample basis, of information submitted by an applicant or attested thereto on a certificate of experience;

(D) Explanation regarding questions based on the Board’s reasonable belief that the information in the certificate of experience may be false or incorrect; or

(E) Explanation regarding the basis of refusal, if any, for which the supervisor licensee declines to submit evidence of an applicant’s experience to the Board or to the licensing agency of another jurisdiction.

(b) The supervisor licensee must cooperate with any inspection, by the Board or by its representative, of documentation relating to an applicant’s claimed experience. The inspection may, at the option of the Board, be made at the Board’s offices or such other places as the Board may designate. A licensee or audit agency or group who has custody of the documentation must produce the required documentation upon request.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.040

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040

Hist.: 1AB 3-1984, f. 12-19-84, ef. 1-1-85; 1AB 3-1986, f. & ef. 11-17-86; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1997, f. & cert. ef. 1-28-97; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 6-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 2-2000, f. & cert. ef. 5-31-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0075

Public Accountants Applying for Certificate of Public Accountancy

A public accountant licensed in Oregon who is applying for a certificate of public accountancy must:

(1) Hold an active public accountant license issued under ORS 673.100 that is not revoked, suspended, on probation or lapsed;

(2) Present satisfactory evidence that the candidate has successfully completed 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours, including:

(a) A baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university as described in ORS 673.050(1)(a)

(b) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours, or the equivalent thereof, in the study of accounting; and

(c) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in accounting and or related subjects. Related subjects are defined as business, finance, economics, and written and oral communication.

(3) Successfully complete all sections of the CPA exam. Credit may be received for sections of the CPA exam previously completed if the requirements of OAR 801-010-0060 are satisfied; and

(4) Satisfy the experience requirements under ORS 673.040 and OAR 801-010-0065.

(5) The experience and examination requirements must be obtained and completed within eight years immediately preceding the date of application

(6) Licensee must surrender the Public Accountant license issued before the CPA Certificate will be issued.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040

Hist.: BOA 4-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-16-98; BOA 2-1999, f. & cert. ef. 2-22-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0078

Experience as a Self-Employed Public Accountant

Self-employment eligible to meet the experience requirement. A public accountant licensed in Oregon prior to January 1, 2000 that is self-employed in the practice of public accountancy may fulfill the one-year experience requirement under ORS 673.040 from the applicant’s experience as a self-employed public accountant. The applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board that:

(a) The applicant is a public accountant licensed in Oregon prior to January 1, 2000;

(b) The applicant’s experience was gained while the applicant was employed full-time, or the equivalent of full-time, in the practice of public accountancy. In no case will employment of less than 30 hours per week be accepted under this rule; and

(c) The experience meets all of the requirements of OAR 801-010-0065, with the exception of the requirement for direct supervision by a public accountant or a certified public accountant.

(d) Experience used to qualify for the CPA exam may not also be used to qualify under the requirements of ORS 673.040 and OAR 801-010-0065.

(2) Verification of self-employment. The period of self-employment must be verified either by a public accountant or a certified public accountant licensed in Oregon and approved by the Board, who is qualified to review the applicant’s practice. The applicant must submit the name of a proposed reviewer to the Board.

(3) Requirements for proposed reviewer.

(a) Must be in full-time practice.

(b)Must not be the subject of current or past disciplinary action by the Board, or the subject of ongoing complaints.

(d) Must not be related to or financially affiliated with the applicant.

(4) The applicant shall reimburse the reviewer for expenses of the review.

(5) Verification required. The reviewer shall certify to the following information about the applicant:

(a) Length of time in full-time public practice;

(b) Nature and extent of the work performed;

(c) Whether the work performed by the applicant demonstrates satisfactory knowledge of current practice standards and pronouncements of the accounting profession;

(d) Whether the applicant has been practicing public accountancy as defined in OAR 801-005-0010; and

(e) Whether the applicant’s experience is sufficient to meet the entry requirements stated in OAR 801-010-0065, including the seven core competencies prescribed in OAR 801-010-0065(3).

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040

Hist.: 1AB 3-1984, f. 12-19-84, ef. 1-1-85; AB 6-1989, f. & cert. ef. 9-11-89; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 9-1998, f. & cert. ef. 11-10-98; BOA 6-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 2-1999, f. & cert. ef. 2-22-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0079

Experience Obtained in Foreign Countries

Experience obtained by an applicant outside the United States that is claimed to be equivalent to public accountancy experience obtained in the United States may be acceptable under ORS 673.040 provided that the experience meets all of the requirements of OAR 801-010-0065. The applicant’s experience must be directly supervised by:

(1) A licensed public accountant or a certified public accountant whose license is active and in good standing, and who held an active permit during the period of supervision and for a period of no less than five years prior to the period of supervision, or

(2) A chartered accountant licensed by a jurisdiction that is eligible for reciprocal licensing under agreement with the International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB) as described in OAR 801-010-0085, who also meets the following requirements:

(a) The chartered accountant certificate is active and in good standing;

(b) The chartered accountant held an active chartered accountant certificate during the period of supervision and for no less than five years prior to the period of supervision, and

(3) The person who directly supervises the applicant’s experience must certify to the Board that the applicant’s experience is obtained under professional standards approved by the Board of Accountancy, including but not limited to the Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS) for audits or other engagements, the Statement of Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) for the review of financial statements and the Statements on Standards of Attestation Engagements (SSAE) for examinations of prospective financial information, or

(4) That the applicant’s experience is obtained under professional standards deemed by the Board of Accountancy to be equivalent to experience obtained in the practice of public accountancy in this state.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040

Hist.: 1AB 14, f. 8-15-68; 1AB 22, f. 3-2-72, ef. 3-15-72; 1AB 34, f. 1-29-74, ef. 2-25-74; 1AB 3-1982, f. & ef. 4-20-82; 1AB 1-1986, f. & ef. 10-1-86; AB 5-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-16-90; AB 5-1993, f. & cert. ef. 8-16-93; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1997, f. & cert. ef. 1-28-97; AB 4-1997, f. & cert. ef. 7-25-97; BOA 5-1998, f. & cert. ef. 7-9-98; BOA 9-1998, f. & cert. ef. 11-10-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0080

Holders of Certificates in Other States, US Territories or Foreign Countries

(1) Substantial equivalency. An individual whose principal place of business is not in this state, who has an active license in good standing as a certified public accountant issued by another jurisdiction, and who meets the standards of substantial equivalency as defined in ORS 673.010(21) and OAR 801-005-0010(48), may practice public accountancy in this state.

(2) Applications by reciprocity. Individuals who wish to establish a principal place of business in this state are required to obtain a CPA certificate and permit under this section prior to practicing as a CPA in this state.

(a) The applicant must complete an application and certify that:

(A) The applicant holds an active license in good standing as a certified public accountant issued by another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equivalent to Oregon as defined in Section 23 of the Uniform Accountancy Act.

(b) Applications based on an active CPA license that is in good standing, but that do not meet the requirements of subsections (2)(a) of this rule, are eligible under this subsection if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant:

(A) Held an active CPA license issued by another jurisdiction that is in good standing at the time of application;

(B) Has four years of public accounting experience or the equivalent thereof, after completing the CPA exam and during the ten year period immediately preceding the application. Four years means 48 months (8,000 hours) of full-time employment. One hundred seventy-three (173) hours of part-time employment is equivalent to one full-time month. Qualifying part-time employment must be at least 20 hours per week; and

(3) Reciprocity application requirements. Applicants under section (2) of this rule must:

(a) Submit an application on a form provided by the Board;

(b) Pay the fees specified in OAR 801-010-0010;

(A) Is in good standing in that jurisdiction;

(B) Has not been disciplined for violations of that jurisdiction’s standards of conduct or practice;

(D) Is in compliance with continuing education requirements and peer review requirements of the licensing jurisdiction.

(4) Verification of National Qualification Appraisal Service comparable licensing standards. The Board reviews the licensing requirements of other jurisdictions on an annual basis to verify substantial equivalency eligibility. The Board may use information developed by NASBA to make this determination.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.410 & 673.153

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.040 & 673.153

801-010-0100

Public Accountant Licenses

(1) Application requirements. Applicants for the license of public accountant must meet the following requirements:

(a) Complete and pass the required sections of the CPA exam as described in ORS 673.100 and OAR 801-010-0060;

(b) Complete and pass an ethics exam that has been adopted by the Board; and

(A) Obtain one year of experience, which means at least 12 months of full-time employment or a total of 2,080 hours of part-time employment. One hundred seventy-three (173) hours of part-time employment is equivalent to one month. Qualifying part-time employment shall be at least 20 hours per week.

(d) The experience and examination requirements must be obtained and completed within eight years immediately preceding the date of application for license.

(2) Experience requirements.

(a) Applicants must meet the experience requirements described in OAR 801-010-0065(2).

(b) The experience required under ORS 673.100 must consist solely of experience within activities generally performed by certified public accountants and public accountants, including (but not limited to) financial statement audits, financial statement reviews, financial statement compilations, attestation engagements, financial forecasts and projections, pro forma financial information, compliance attestation, management advisory services, tax advisory services, tax return preparation or personal financial planning and reporting on an entity’s internal controls.

(3) Experience portfolio. The applicant’s experience portfolio must meet the requirements stated in OAR 801-010-0065(3).

(4) Public Accountant practice restrictions.

(a) Licensed public accountants who qualified for the CPA exam after January 1, 2002 must not perform audits.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.410 & 673.100

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.100, 673.150 & 673.103

Hist.: 1AB 9, f. 6-24-60; 1AB 41, f. & ef. 12-2-76; 1AB 4-1982, f. & ef. 5-21-82; 1AB 3-1984, f. 12-19-84, ef. 1-1-85; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 1-1999, f. & cert. ef. 1-20-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0110

Renewal of Permits

(1) Unless properly renewed, permits issued under ORS 673.150 that end in even numbers expire on June 30 of even-numbered years and permits that end in odd numbers expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. To renew an active or inactive permit, the certificate or license holder must:

(a) Submit the current renewal form provided by the Board, fully completed and postmarked by the US Post Office or other delivery service no later than June 30 of the year in which the permit expires;

(b) Pay the renewal fee specified in OAR 801-010-0010, and

(c) If applying for renewal of an active permit, provide evidence that the applicant has satisfied continuing education and peer review requirements.

(d) Submit the late fee described in OAR 801-010-0010, if the renewal application is postmarked by the US Post Office or other delivery service after June 30..

(2) The Board may waive a licensee’s first renewal fee if the licensee’s initial permit is issued in May or June of the year in which the permit is due for renewal.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.150

Hist.: 1AB 4-1981, f. & ef. 6-17-81; AB 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 4-10-91; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 5-1993, f. & cert. ef. 8-16-93; AB 3-1994, f. & cert. ef. 8-10-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 1-1995, f. & cert. ef. 1-25-95; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0115

Resignation of Licensee

(1) Resigning permits that are not the subject of pending complaints or Board investigations. A certified public accountant or public accountant may resign and surrender the licensee’s certificate or license and permit issued under ORS 673.040, ORS 673.100 and ORS 673.150, by submitting a written resignation, together with the original certificate or license issued by the Board. All resignations are effective upon acceptance by the Board. (a) After such resignation, in the event that the licensee wishes to reapply for a permit to practice public accountancy, the licensee will be required to meet all requirements of ORS Chapter 673 and OAR chapter 801.

(2) Resigning permits that are the subject of pending complaints or Board investigations. If the licensee’s certificate or license is the subject of a complaint filed with the Board or a Board investigation, or if disciplinary proceedings are pending against a licensee, the resignation by such licensee shall be deemed to be a revocation for cause in the event that the licensee applies for a certificate or license after such resignation is accepted by the Board. A licensee who resigns under this section is required to notify all clients of the date of resignation and provide the Board with a list of the clients notified. The Board may refuse to accept a resignation under this provision if the written resignation does not include a written acknowledgment by the resigning licensee of the following:

(a) That the licensee is required to return the CPA certificate or PA license to the Board;

(b) That the licensee has knowledge of any pending investigation or disciplinary proceedings and does not wish to contest or defend the matter;

(c) That the licensee understands that in the event the licensee submits a subsequent application to be licensed to practice public accountancy, the licensee shall not be entitled to a reconsideration or re-examination of the facts, complaints, or instances of misconduct upon which investigations or disciplinary proceedings were pending at the time of the resignation; and

(d) That upon any subsequent application to practice public accountancy, the licensee must meet all requirements of ORS Chapter 673 and OAR Chapter 801.

(e) Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, any pending investigation or disciplinary proceeding shall be closed upon acceptance of the licensee’s resignation.

(3) Requirements upon acceptance of resignation. Upon resignation, a former licensee is required to:

(a) Surrender the CPA certificate or PA license to the Board;

(b) Take all reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable harm to any client;

(d) Continue to comply with the requirements of OAR 801, Division 030 pertaining to confidential information and client records.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.410

Hist.: AB 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 9-25-96; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 2-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0120

Inactive Status

(1) Inactive.

(a) An application for inactive status must be made on a form provided by the Board and must be accompanied by a fee prescribed by OAR 801-010-0010.

(b) The licensee applying for inactive status must certify to the Board that:

(A) The licensee holds a permit issued under ORS 673.150 which is not lapsed, revoked or suspended; and

(B) The licensee will not perform any public accountancy services during the period in which the licensee is granted inactive status

(2) CPE and Peer Review Requirements. A licensee who is granted inactive status is not required to complete continuing education under ORS 673.165 and is not subject to Peer Review requirements under ORS 673.455 during the period in which inactive status is approved.

(3) Inactive Licensees’ Use of CPA or PA Designation. A licensee who is granted inactive status shall not display the Certified Public Accountant certificate or Public Accountant license and shall not use the CPA or PA designation.

(a) Licensees who are granted inactive status will not receive a permit card from the Board office upon renewal.

(b) Must include the words “inactive” or “retired” either before or after the CPA or PA designation, and

(4) Except as provided in this rule, a licensee who is granted inactive status shall not hold out as a CPA or PA and the licensee shall be subject to disciplinary action under ORS Chapter 673 for violations of this provision.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.220

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.220

Hist.: 1AB 2-1986, f. & ef. 10-15-86; AB 5-1989, f. & cert. ef. 8-2-89; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 2-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-22-95; AB 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 9-25-96; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0125

Renewal of Inactive Status

(1) Inactive status granted to a licensee under ORS 673.220 expires on June 30 of each expiration year of the licensee’s permit under the provisions of OAR 801-010-0110, unless properly renewed.

(2) To renew inactive status, the holder must, before the time at which the inactive permit would otherwise expire, apply to renew such permit on a form provided by the Board.

(3) The application must be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee prescribed by OAR 801-010-0010.

(4) Applications that are postmarked by the US Postal Service or other delivery service after June 30 must include a late fee described in OAR 801-010-0010.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.220

Hist.: 1AB 2-1986, f. & ef. 10-15-86; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 2-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-22-95; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0130

Restoration to Active Status

A person who is granted inactive status under ORS 673.220 and who subsequently applies to renew such permit to active status must submit an application on a form provided by the Board. The applicant must:

(1) Pay the permit fee for the renewal period in which the application is submitted;

(2) Meet the CPE requirements for reinstatement described in OAR 801-040-0090;

(3) Meet the peer review requirements described in OAR 801, division 050; and

(4) The applicant must not perform any public accountancy services until after the applicant receives an active permit.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.220

Stat. Implemented: ORS 673.220

Hist.: 1AB 2-1986, f. & ef. 10-15-86; AB 3-1994, f. & cert. ef. 8-10-94; AB 2-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-22-95; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0170

Publication of Disciplinary Action

The Board in its discretion will publicize disciplinary action taken under ORS 673.170 in such manner and for such period as it may direct.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.170

Hist.: 1AB 9, f. 6-24-60; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-9; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0190

Procedure for Complaints

Pursuant to ORS 673.185, the Board is authorized to investigate complaints alleging violations of ORS 673.010 through 673.455 and OAR chapter 801. The following procedures govern complaints received by the Board:

(1) The Board mustinvestigate all complaints that describe activities that are the subject of the complaint and that provide information in support of the complaint.

(2) Anonymous or unsigned complaints will only be investigated if they meet the criteria of (1).

(3) The Board may also investigate other information of which the Board has knowledge, such as media stories and information provided by law enforcement or other regulatory agencies, which indicates that a violation of the statutes or rules enforced by the Board may have occurred.

(4) Any person submitting a complaint may be required to support the complaint by personal appearance before the Board.

(5) The Board may employ private investigators or contract investigators to provide assistance in determining the facts of any case being investigated.

(6) A licensee who is the subject of a complaint may meet with the Complaints Committee to discuss the complaint.

(7) In accordance with ORS 673.415 the Board may obtain a copy of the signature block, including the name, address and signature of the tax preparer, for any tax return or report permitted or required to be filed with the Oregon Department of Revenue, if the Board has reasonable grounds to believe that a licensee who prepared such tax return or report violated any provision of ORS 673.010 to 673.455 or rules promulgated by the Board.

(8) If the Board determines that the available evidence is insufficient to indicate that a violation may have occurred, the Board shall dismiss the complaint.

(9) If the Board determines that the available evidence is sufficient to indicate that a violation may have occurred, the Board shall make a preliminary finding of a violation(s) and offer the subject of the complaint a contested case hearing.

(10) A person under investigation and the Board’s Executive Director may negotiate a proposed Stipulated Final Order to conclude a matter at any time after the Complaints Committee has considered it.

(11) A negotiated settlement as described in paragraph (10) shall not be binding on either party until approved by the Board and signed by Chairperson of the Board.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.170 & 673.185

Hist.: 1AB 9, f. 6-24-60; 1AB 24, f. 9-15-72, ef. 10-1-72; 1AB 5-1978, f. & ef. 5-16-78; 1AB 3-1982, f. & ef. 4-20-82; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0340

Non-CPA and Non-PA Ownership of Business Organizations

(1) Requirements of non-CPA or non-PA ownership. The ownership of a business organization, defined in ORS 673.010 and registered as a firm under 673.160 and OAR 801-010-0345, that is lawfully engaged in the practice of public accountancy in this state, may include owners who are not licensed as certified public accountants or public accountants if the following conditions are met:

(a) Licensed certified public accountants and public accountants shall, in the aggregate, directly or beneficially, hold ownership of more than half of the equity capital and a majority of voting rights;

(b) If the business organization has its principal place of business in this state and performs public accountancy services in this state, licensees under the provisions of ORS 673.150 or ORS 673.100 shall, in the aggregate, directly or beneficially, hold ownership of more than half of the equity capital and a majority of voting rights;

(c) The business organization shall designate in writing a permit holder under ORS 673.150 who shall be responsible for the management and registration of the business organization in this state;

(d) A permit holder under ORS 673.150 shall have ultimate responsibility for each financial statement attest service engagement performed in this state;

(e) Non-licensee owners shall be material participants in the business of the firm or an entity affiliated with the firm;

(f) Non-licensee owners may be natural persons or legal entities provided that each ultimate beneficial owner of an equity interest in such entity shall be a natural person who materially participates in the business conducted by the firm.

(g) Non-licensee owners must not hold themselves out as certified public accountants or public accountants.

(h) Business organizations with non-CPA or non-PA ownership that are registered under OAR 801-010-0345 must comply with the requirements for peer review as provided in ORS 673.455 if such business organization performs attestation or compilation services.

(i) For purposes of this rule, “material participation” means an activity that is regular, continuous and substantial.

(2) Registration. A business organization with non-licensee ownership that is registered in this state under OAR 801-010-0345 must certify at the time of registration and at each renewal that the business organization is in compliance with the provisions of this rule.

(3) Request for extension. If the licensee ownership of a registered business organization whose principal place of business is in this state does not meet the requirements of section (1) of this rule because of a death or other unforeseen circumstance, the business organization may request an extension of 180 days, or until the next renewal period, whichever is longer, for the business organization to meet such requirement.

(4) CPA designation. A business organization, of which the majority ownership is held by individuals licensed as public accountants under ORS 673.100, must not use the term “CPA firm” or any similar name that would indicate that a majority of the owners of the firm hold CPA certificates issued under ORS 673.040.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.410 & 673.160

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.160

Hist.: 1AB 18, f. 11-25-70, ef. 12-25-70; 1AB 29, f. 4-25-73, ef. 5-15-73; 1AB 3-1982, f. & ef. 4-20-82; AB 5-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-16-90; AB 4-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 3-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 2-2007, f. 12-27-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-010-0345

Registration of Business Organizations

(1) Requirement to register as a firm. A business organization organized for the practice of public accountancy must register with the Board as a firm if the business organization:

(a) Is located in Oregon and

(A) Uses the terms “certified public accountant”, “CPA”, “public accountant” or “PA”, or any derivation of such terms;

(B) Holds out to clients or to the public that the business organization is in any way engaged in the practice of public accountancy; or

(b) Is not located in Oregon and

(A) Uses the terms “certified public accountant”, “CPA”, “public accountant” or “PA”, or any derivation of such terms;

(B) Holds out to clients or to the public that the business organization is in any way engaged in the practice of public accountancy and performs any of the following services:

(i) An audit or other engagement for which performance standards are included in Statements on Auditing Standard (SAS)

(ii) Examination of prospective financial information for which performance standards are included in the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE)

(iii) Engagements for which performance standards are included in the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)

(C) Has a person, who is a permit holder under ORS 673.150 or meets the substantial equivalency requirements of ORS 673.153, that is responsible for supervising attestation services and signs or authorizes someone to sign the accountant’s report on the financial statements on behalf of the business organization.

(2) Registration of sole proprietors. A business organization organized as a sole proprietorship, a professional corporation or a limited liability company, and comprised of a single permit holder under ORS 673.150, is required to register as a firm if the business organization engages in any of the following activities in this state:

(a) Holds out to clients or to the public that it is composed of more than one licensee, or

(b) Performs attestation or compilation services.

(3) Application requirements.

(a) Firms located in Oregon: Application by a business organization to be registered as a firm to practice as Certified Public Accountant(s) or Public Accountant(s) must be made to the Board in writing on a form provided by the Board and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee, stated in OAR 801-010-0010. The application and each renewal application must provide the following information in writing:

(A) Name of the firm;

(B) Identification by name and by certificate or license number of each CPA and PA in this state who is associated with or employed by the business organization;

(D) Notice of every denial, revocation, lapse or suspension of authority to perform public accountancy services that is or has been issued by any jurisdiction against any licensee associated with the business organization;

(E) Notice of the filing of any lawsuit relating to the professional services of the business organization, if an essential element of such lawsuit involves fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation; and

(F) Notice of any criminal action filed against the business organization or against any owner or manager and notice of any conviction against any owner or manager of the business organization. Notice of a conviction under this rule includes the initial plea, verdict or finding of guilt, pleas of no contest or pronouncement of sentence by a trial court even though that conviction may not be final and sentence may not be actually imposed until appeals are exhausted. The notice provided shall be signed by the person to whom the conviction or criminal action applies, and shall state the facts that constitute the reportable event and identify the event by the name of the agency or court, the title of the matter, the docket number and the date of occurrence of the event.

(G) Provide a letter of completion of the most recent peer review of the applicant or the applicant’s firm if the applicant intends to perform attest or compilation services in this state.

(b) Firms not located in Oregon.

(A) Name of the firm.

(B) Identification by name and by active certificate or license number, indicating the state in which the certificate or license is issued of each CPA who is associated with or employed by the business organization and is authorized to practice in Oregon under substantial equivalency pursuant to ORS 673.153 who will practice public accounting in Oregon.

(C) Provide a letter of completion of the most recent peer review of the applicant or the applicant’s firm if the applicant intends to perform attest or compilation services in this state.

(c) Any out of state firm that is required to register in Oregon and subsequently opens an office in Oregon shall notify the Board of the existence of the new office within 30 days of opening the office.

(C) Provide a letter of completion of the most recent peer review of the applicant or the applicant’s firm if the applicant intends to perform attest or compilation services in this state.

(4) Application requirements for firms with non-CPA and non-PA ownership. In addition to the information required under section (3) of this rule for firm registrations, business organizations with non-CPA or non-PA owners that are required to register as a firm must provide the following information with the application for initial registration and with each registration renewal.

(a) The name of the firm and a list of the states in which the business organization has applied, or is currently authorized to practice public accountancy;

(b) Evidence to the satisfaction of the Board that the business organization satisfies the requirements of OAR 801-010-0340;

(d) The physical address of every office maintained in this state;

(e) The identity of every person with management responsibility for each office in this state;

(f) Notice of every denial, revocation, lapse, or suspension of authority to perform accounting services or other services issued against any owner or manager of the business organization in any jurisdiction;

(5) Issuance of firm registration. The Board shall, upon receipt of an application that satisfies all the requirements of these rules and payment of the registration fee, issue a certificate of registration, which shall remain in effect until December 31 of the odd-numbered year following the date of such registration. The business organization shall:

(a) Renew the firm registration on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year by submitting the renewal form provided by the Board, together with the appropriate registration renewal fee. The Board may waive the renewal fee if an initial firm registration is issued in November or December of the year in which the registration is due for renewal.

(b) Business organizations that fail to renew a registration within 60-days of the close of the renewal period will be terminated and required to pay the renewal fee plus a late fee and submit a reinstatement form to the Board office;

(d) In addition to the notice that is required upon application and for each renewal of the firm registration under section (3) of this rule, business organizations are required to provide written notice to the Board within 45 days of the filing of any lawsuit, settlement or arbitration relating to the professional services of the business organization if an essential element of such lawsuit involves fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation;

(e) Display the letter of registration issued by the Board in a conspicuous place at the principal office of the firm.

(6) Form of practice. A licensee may practice public accountancy in a business organization as defined in ORS 673.010 that is organized in accordance with statutory provisions.

(a)(A) Non-CPA or non-PA ownership. A licensee may form a business organization with a non-licensee for the purpose of engaging in the practice of public accountancy in accordance with the provisions of ORS 673.160 and OAR 801-010-0340.

(B) Notwithstanding subsection (6)(a) of this rule, any certified public accountant or public accountant previously licensed in any state whose license to practice public accountancy has been revoked by any state, may not participate as a non-licensee owner in a business organization required to be registered under ORS 673.160.

(b) Branch offices.

(A) Every branch office located in this state shall be managed by a licensee holding a permit issued under ORS 673.150 who shall be in residence at the branch office, on a full-time basis, during the time the branch office is open to the public. A licensee operating a branch office is responsible for managing the office, staff and services rendered to the public.

(B) The Board may, at its discretion, approve the operation of a branch office that does not meet the supervision requirements of paragraph A of this subsection. Licensees seeking approval under this paragraph shall submit in advance a written proposal describing how the licensee will provide adequate supervision of the branch office. The proposal shall specify the minimum number of hours each week that a named licensee will provide physical supervision at the branch office.

(C) Any licensee operating a branch office under approval authorized by paragraph (B) of this subsection shall notify the Board in writing of any deviation from an approved plan within 30 days of the deviation.

(D) The location of each branch office in Oregon shall be reported to the Board at the time of application for registration as a firm and with each renewal application, together with a statement that each branch office meets the requirements of OAR 801-010-0345(6)(b)

(c) Internet Practice. Licensees using the CPA or PA title to perform or solicit services via a website, are required to include information on the website naming the state(s) in which each CPA or PA is licensed to perform public accounting services, or provide a name and contact information for an individual who will respond within seven business days to inquiries regarding individual licensee information. Information required to be posted by this rule must be clearly visible and prominently displayed.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.410 & 673.160

Stats. Implemented: ; ORS 673.160

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.410 & 673.160

Stats. Implemented: ; ORS 673.160

Hist.: AB 6-1993(Temp), f. 11-2-93, cert. ef. 11-4-93; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; BOA 2-1998, f. & cert. ef. 3-30-98; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 4-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 4-2003, f. 12-23-03 cert. ef. 1-1-04; BOA 2-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 2-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 3-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 3-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

Rule Caption: Housekeeping.

Adm. Order No.: BOA 4-2010

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-15-2010

Certified to be Effective: 1-1-11

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2010

Rules Amended: 801-040-0010, 801-040-0050

Subject: General housekeeping.

Rules Coordinator: Kimberly Bennett—(503) 378-2268

801-040-0010

Basic Requirements

(1) Biennial CPE requirement. Each biennial renewal period, certified public accountants and public accountants must report satisfactory evidence of having completed 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) unless such requirement is waived by the Board under ORS 673.165 and OAR 801-040-0150. The 80-hour CPE requirement must be completed as follows:

(a) At least 24 of the required 80 CPE hours must be completed in each year of the renewal period. Hours carried forward from the previous reporting period (carry-forward hours) may not be used to meet the minimum annual requirement.

(b) CPE hours must be completed during the two-year period immediately preceding the renewal date, except for carry-forward hours described in subsection (c) of this rule.

(c) A maximum of 20 CPE hours in technical subjects may be carried forward from one reporting period to the next and may be used in partial fulfillment of the 80 hour requirement.

(2) Ethics CPE requirement. CPE hours in professional conduct and ethics are included in the 80 hour requirement for each renewal period.

(a) All active licensees who are applying for the first renewal permit in Oregon are required to complete and report at least four hours of CPE in a professional conduct and ethics program that meets the requirements of section three (3) of this rule.

(b) Licensees who are not renewing for the first time and whose principal place of business is located in another jurisdiction may meet the ethics requirement of this rule by demonstrating compliance with the other jurisdiction’s professional conduct and ethics CPE requirement. The number of CPE Ethics hours that meets the Ethics requirement of such other jurisdiction will be accepted in Oregon, so long as the other jurisdiction requires the licensee to complete an ethics program as a condition of renewal.

(c) An active licensee who is not renewing for the first time and whose principal place of business is in another jurisdiction that does not have a professional conduct and ethics CPE requirement must complete the ethics requirement described in subsection (2)(d) of this rule.

(d) All other active licensees are required to complete and report four hours of CPE in professional conduct and ethics with each biennial renewal application, which

may be satisfied by any ethics program that meets the general CPE requirements described in OAR 801-040-0030.

(3) CPE ethics programs. CPE programs in professional conduct and ethics required by subsection (2)(a) of this rule are eligible for CPE credit if the program is offered by a sponsor registered with the Board and includes information pertaining to each of the following topics:

(a) Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes pertaining to the practice of public accountancy;

(b) Examples of issues or situations that require an understanding of statutes, rules and case law relevant to all licensees.

(d) Review of recent case law pertaining to ethics and professional responsibilities for the accounting profession.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.040, 673.050 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.165

Hist.: AB 1-1985, f. & ef. 3-21-85; AB 5-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 1-1994, f. & cert. ef. 1-21-94; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; BOA 5-1999, f. & cert. ef. 7-23-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 5-2000, f. 12-7-00, cert. ef. 1-1-01; BOA 7-2001, f. 12-31-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 6-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 6-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 10-2005, f. 11-22-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; BOA 4-2006, f. 12-22-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; BOA 4-2008, f. 12-30-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; BOA 6-2009, f. 12-15-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; BOA 4-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

801-040-0050

Credit Allowed and Evidence of Completion

(1) Credit hours. Eligible CPE credit is measured by program length, with one 50 minute period equal to one CPE credit. CPE credit may be issued in half increments (equal to 25 minute program periods) after the first credit has been earned.

(2) Evidence of completion. Licensees are required to document all CPE programs claimed for CPE credit and to provide the appropriate proof of completion for the number of qualifying CPE credits claimed for each program. Licensees must retain proof of completion for each CPE program reported for a period of 5 years after completion of the program.

(3) Group study programs.

(a) CPE credit is allowed for actual class hours attended.

(b) Evidence of completion includes a written course outline and certificate of completion or attendance record provided by each program sponsor. The evidence of completion must include the sponsor name, course title, date of attendance or date of completion, name of participating licensee, statement that the program and sponsor are QAS approved, if appropriate, and the number of CPE hours earned;

(4) Individual study programs.

(a) Individual study programs are eligible for CPE credit only if the program is offered by a NASBA-QAS approved sponsor and the program itself is QAS approved;

(b) CPE credit will be awarded in an amount equal to the average completion time determined by the QAS approved sponsor.

(c) The date for which CPE credit is allowed is the completion date specified on the evidence of completion provided by the sponsor.

(d) Evidence of completion must include the name of the participating licensee, sponsor name, program title, date of completion, Instructor name, if applicable and number of QAS CPE hours allowed.

(5) Lecturer, discussion leader or speaker.

(a) CPE credit for a lecture, training session or speaking engagement at which the licensee was an instructor, discussion leader or speaker is allowed provided that the lecture, training or engagement meets CPE requirements for the participants;

(b) One CPE hour is allowed for each 50 minute period completed as an instructor or discussion leader for the first presentation of the subject material if such activity increases the instructor’s professional competence. CPE credit may be allowed for additional presentations if the substantive content of the program was substantially changed and the licensee provides evidence that such change required significant additional study or research;

(c) CPE credit for preparation time allowed for an instructor, discussion leader, or a speaker shall be calculated on the basis of two CPE hours of preparation for each hour of teaching;

(d) The maximum CPE credit allowed for preparation and teaching under this section and for published articles described in section (6) of this rule, combined, must not exceed one-half of the total number of CPE hours required for the renewal period;

(e) Evidence of completion includes a copy of the agenda or outline provided for each presentation, lecture or speaking engagement, stating the date of presentation and name of the sponsoring organization.

(6) Published articles.

(a) CPE credit may be allowed for authoring published articles or books, provided the work directly contributes to the professional competence of the licensee;

(b) CPE credit for authoring published articles or books is allowed as of the date of publication and is only allowed for the first publication of such writing. The number of CPE hours is based on the time spent writing the published article,

(c) Authorship of a published article does not contribute to the professional competence of the licensee unless the published article is suitable for a professional audience. Published articles may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether such articles contribute to the licensee’s professional competence

(d) The maximum credit for published articles and books allowed under this section and for preparation and teaching under section (5) of this rule, combined, is no more than one-half of the total CPE requirement for the renewal period.

(e) A licensee may request additional CPE credit for authoring a published article by submitting an explanation of the circumstances which justify greater credit than is otherwise allowed. The Board shall determine whether additional credit is justified.

(f) Evidence of completion includes a copy of the title page or other pages that show the title, date of publication and a description of the content for each article reported for CPE credit.

(7) Reviewing peer review reports for Board approved Peer Review Programs.

(a) Licensees who serve as volunteer members of the Review Acceptance Body or any other committee that reviews peer review reports on behalf of a board approved peer review program are allowed two hours of CPE credit per meeting attended, for a maximum of 16 hours for the renewal period.

(b) Evidence of completion includes proof of attendance, provided by the sponsor of the approved Peer Review Program, for each meeting attended.

(8) State Legislative Joint Ways and Means Committee members.

(a) Licensees who serve as members of the Oregon Joint Ways and Means Legislative Committee are allowed up to 16 hours of the total CPE requirement for the renewal period during which the licensee served on the legislative committee.

(b) Evidence of completion shall be a copy of the membership roster published during the legislative session indicating the specific section of the Joint Ways and Means sub-committee on which the licensee served.

(9) University and college courses.

(a) CPE credit allowed is described in OAR 801-040-0030.

(b) An official copy of the college transcript is evidence of completion for courses that earn college credit.

(c) An attendance schedule or sign-in sheet demonstrating the licensee’s attendance and prepared and maintained by the college will provide evidence of completion for courses that do not earn college credit.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 670.310, 673.040, 673.050 & 673.410

Stats. Implemented: ORS 673.165

Hist.: AB 1-1985, f. & ef. 3-21-85; AB 5-1991, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-91; AB 7-1992, f. & cert. ef. 12-15-92; AB 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 5-14-93; AB 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-94; AB 5-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-95; AB 4-1997, f. & cert. ef. 7-25-97; BOA 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 1-26-98; BOA 6-1998 f. & cert. ef. 7-29-98; BOA 2-1999, f. & cert. ef. 2-22-99; BOA 5-1999, f. & cert. ef. 7-23-99; BOA 6-1999, f. 12-21-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; BOA 1-2000, f. 3-22-00, cert. ef. 3-24-00; BOA 5-2000, f. 12-7-00, cert. ef. 1-1-01; BOA 7-2001, f. 12-31-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; BOA 6-2002, f. 12-27-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; BOA 6-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; BOA 4-2010, f. 12-15-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11

Notes
1.) This online version of the OREGON BULLETIN is provided for convenience of reference and enhanced access. The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions. Use the OAR Revision Cumulative Index found in the Oregon Bulletin to access a numerical list of rulemaking actions after November 15, 2010.