Attention all CPAs: changes to CPE requirements effective for Jan. 1, 2010 license renewals.(licensingnews)

the California Board of Accountancy is amending the section of the California Code of Regulations that governs continuing education and license renewal for CPAs to place ethics education at the forefront of the profession; ensure licensees maintain a high level of competency and remain abreast of the continually changing tax laws and professional standards throughout the entirety of the licensure period; and ensure licensees continue to receive exposure to the laws and regulations governing the practice of public accountancy in California.

Under the proposal, all licensees renewing a license in an active status will be required to complete:

* Four hours of ethics CE every renewal period;

* A two-hour regulatory review course every six years covering the California Accountancy Act. plus CBA regulations and enforcement actions; and

* A minimum of 20 hours of CE (with a minimum of 12 hours in technical subject matter) each year of the two-year license renewal period as part of the 80-hour CE requirement.

You can review the proposed regulation text and information at wwu.dca.ca.gov/cba/regulalion_notices/art12text09-1.pdf.

CBA Reinstates Continuing Education Audit Program

The CBA's Renewal and Continuing Competency Unit is reinstating its continuing education audit program to ensure that licensees are complying with CE requirements as specified in the CBA regulations. Licensees will be randomly preselected during the license renewal process and notified of the audit approximately 90 days prior to their license expiration date.

If renewing a license in an active status, licensees will be instructed to submit documents (i.e. certificates of completion) substantiating completion of a minimum of 80 hours of CE reported at the time of renewal, which will be verified against the CE Reporting Worksheet accompanying the renewal application.

Licensees will be able to submit documentation in hardcopy or electronically.

Licensees are required to retain CE certificates of completion for four years after renewal, and Professional Conduct and Ethics certificates of completion must be retained for six years.

For all CPE you take through the CalCPA Education Foundation, an electronic certificate of completion is stored with your online CPE record at www.calcpa.org/public/securc/MyEvents.aspx.

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