Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 061 - Accountants, Board of Certified Public

🧾 Overview of Agency 061 – Board of Certified Public Accountants

Agency 061 comprises the Board, which consists of five members appointed by the governor:

Four members must hold active CPA certificates in good standing in Wyoming.

One member is a public representative without a CPA background.

Board members serve staggered three-year terms and are responsible for overseeing the licensure, regulation, and discipline of CPAs in the state. 

📚 Core Regulations and Provisions

1. Rules of Professional Conduct

The Board has established a Code of Professional Conduct, grounded in the principle that the public places trust in the CPA profession. These rules are designed to maintain high standards of competence and integrity. 

2. Licensure Requirements

To obtain a CPA certificate in Wyoming, individuals must meet specific educational and experience criteria, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and fulfill continuing professional education requirements. These standards ensure that CPAs possess the necessary knowledge and skills to serve the public effectively. 

3. Reporting Convictions and Disciplinary Actions

CPAs are required to disclose certain legal and disciplinary events, including:

Convictions for felonies or crimes involving dishonesty or fraud.

Disciplinary actions by other regulatory bodies.

Civil judgments or settlements exceeding $150,000 related to allegations of dishonesty, fraud, or gross negligence in accounting practice.

These disclosures must be made upon initial application, within 30 days of occurrence, or during certificate renewal. 

4. Peer Review Requirements

CPAs may be subject to peer reviews to assess the quality of their work and adherence to professional standards. For instance, in the case of Wyoming Bd. of Certified Public Accountants v. Christensen, the Board required the CPA to undergo two engagement-oriented peer reviews as part of a disciplinary settlement. 

⚖️ Relevant Case Law

1. Wyoming Bd. of Certified Public Accountants v. Christensen (1990)

In this case, the Wyoming Supreme Court upheld the Board's authority to impose disciplinary measures on a CPA. The Court emphasized that the Board is a state regulatory agency established by statute and that the CPA was subject to its rules and regulations. 

2. Dorr v. Bd. of Cert. Public Accountants (2006)

In this case, the Wyoming Supreme Court addressed the Board's disciplinary actions against a CPA. The Court's decision reinforced the Board's role in regulating the profession and ensuring that CPAs adhere to the established standards of conduct.

📝 Summary

Agency 061, through the Board of Certified Public Accountants, plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and professionalism of the accounting field in Wyoming. By establishing and enforcing regulations related to licensure, professional conduct, and disciplinary actions, the Board ensures that CPAs uphold the trust placed in them by the public. The case law examples illustrate the Board's authority and the legal framework within which it operates.

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