PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-24-058.
Title of Rule: New section WAC 4-25-833 What documentation must I retain to support my eligibility for CPE credits.
Purpose: To prescribe the documentation a Washington certified public accountant (CPA) must retain to support their eligibility for CPE credits.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.04.055, 18.04.105(8).
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.04.055, 18.04.105(8).
Summary: The new section notifies certified public accountants (CPAs) (1) they are responsible for documenting entitlement to CPE credit claimed on their application for renewal of their license and/or certificate, (2) of the documentation required to support their claim for CPE credit, and (3) to retain supporting documentation for five years after completion of the program.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: (1) Clearly notifies CPAs to maintain supporting documentation for CPE credit claimed.
(2) Clearly notifies the CPAs of what the board will accept as documentation.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Dana M. McInturff, CPA, 210 East Union, Suite A, Olympia, (360) 664-9194.
Name of Proponent: Board of Accountancy, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Using the clear rule-writing technique that eliminates confusion, WAC 4-25-833 tells CPAs they are responsible for documenting their entitlement of CPE credit claimed and notifies CPAs what the board will accept as documentation. The goal of the new section is to: Promote clarity, ensure effective communication, ensure fairness in interpretation and application of the rule, and promote efficiencies.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The board is proposing to replace WAC 4-25-812 with two new sections (WAC 4-25-832 and 4-25-833) for clarity and easy reference. WAC 4-25-833 generally maintains the requirements for documentation of WAC 4-25-812. However, WAC 4-25-833 eliminates as acceptable documentation: Copy of the course outline prepared by the course sponsor and adds "for group programs, a certificate, or other acceptable verification as defined by board policy."
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The new section will have negligible economic impact on the accounting profession and business.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The Board of Accountancy is not one of the agencies required to submit to the requirements of RCW 34.05.328.
Hearing Location: Western Washington University, Viking Addition, Room 461, Bellingham, Washington, on July 29, 1999, at 1:30 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Cheryl Sexton by July 22, 1999, TDD (800) 833-6384, or (360) 664-9194.
Submit Written Comments to: Dana M. McInturff, P.O. Box 9131, Olympia, WA 98507-9131, fax (360) 664-9190, by July 27, 1999.
Date of Intended Adoption: July 30, 1999.
June 11, 1999
Dana M. McInturff, CPA
Executive Director
by Cheryl M. Sexton
OTS-3162.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 4-25-833
What documentation must I retain to support my eligibility for
CPE credits?
(1) For each program for which you claim CPE credit you must retain documentation to support all of the following required information:
(a) Program sponsor;
(b) Title of program or description of content;
(c) Date(s) attended;
(d) Number of CPE credit hour(s); and
(e) Acceptable evidence of completion.
(2) Acceptable evidence supporting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section includes:
(a) For group programs, a certificate, or other acceptable verification as defined by board policy, that is supplied by the program sponsor;
(b) For self-study programs, a certificate supplied by the program sponsor after satisfactory completion of a workbook or examination;
(c) For a university or college course, a record of the grade you received;
(d) For instruction credit, evidence obtained from the program sponsor of your having been the instructor or discussion leader at the program; or
(e) For published articles or books, evidence of publication.
(3) You are responsible for documenting your entitlement to the CPE credit you claim on your license and/or certificate renewal form. You must retain the supporting documentation for CPE credit claimed for five years after completion of the program.
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