In the U.S., most of the states have statutes that provide for a state board of accountancy or a board of certified public accountants. Statutes may require the registration of accountants and accounting firms with the state board of accountancy[i].
A state board of accountancy may be granted the authority to adopt rules and regulations to govern the practice of certified public accountancy within the state, which may include a code of professional conduct[ii].
A statute can give a state board of accountancy the right to suspend or revoke the certificate of an accountant for engaging in any conduct determined by the board to be wrongful or that will make the accountant unfit to associate with others of the profession.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) serves as a forum for the state boards of accountancy. NASBA’s mission is to enhance the effectiveness of state boards of accountancy.
Goals of NASBA’s are:
- To identify, research and analyze major current and emerging issues that affects state boards of accountancy,
- To strengthen and maintain communications with state boards to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opinions, and
- To provide high quality, effective programs and services,
- To develop and foster relationships with organizations that impact the regulation of public accounting.
[i] Colo. State Bd. of Accountancy v. Paroske, 39 P.3d 1283 (Colo. Ct. App. 2001)
[ii] Varney Bus. Servs. v. Pottroff, 275 Kan. 20 (Kan. 2002)
