New Britain herald., 1922-05-01
ACCOUNTANTS BEING'
 HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Bridgeport Prosecutor In Drive
 Against Unlicensed Men

Bridgeport. May 1.--Assistant Pros ecutor Vincent l.. Heating has beguI drastic warfare iN this city aGains public accountants who are practicinl as C. r. A 's without having procured certificate from the state board O accounting.
 Already several prominent business men here have been warned the, must either cease their practice u once or else be liable to a fine of $500 In every case, so far. the offenders have submitted and given up tho precious letters, c. F. A. N. A., mean. ing Certified Public Accountant Ma. tional Association, which they have been carrying after their names.
 To legally be q certified public ac. countant, one must have passed q state examination, and received q cer- tifcate from the state board of ac- counting. This National Association vas issuing certificates by the hun drcds, obtainable for the fee of sl5 each. It is estimated by officials that 2,700 persons were taken in by this corporation. They are now owners of 2,700 worthless certificates. Three parts of them purchased their letters fin apparent good faith. not knowing they were law breakers.
 School in Capitol.
 The whole thing started Eevcral months ago 'n Washington, according to an official of the state board last night. At that time four men got to- gether and formed an association which they termed :he National As- sociation of Certified Public Account ants" II was properly registered and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia and the new firm forthwith started in on one of the most profitable business ever in vented, he said.
 To become a certified public ac- countant has been the aim of many an enterprising young man. But t meant going through a long course of study. difficult state examinations, and involving a considerable outlay of money. It was not possible in every case. Then along comes ;tn nssoca- ton, called the National Association of Public Accountants. which offers Il splendid looking certificate to the am- bilious young man for s15, a com paratively simple examination, and no questions asked.
 Hundreds of young fellows, with a small knowledge of book keeping and accountancy took the oxamina- tions, he said, paid in their money, and received the coveted certificate.
 Senate Hears Charges
 At a recent charge brought up be- fore the senate, this "Natonal Asso- citation" admitted that about 2,7OO of these certificates had been issued
 April 20 the association announce cd its Connecticut Chapter would hold a meeting in New Haven. The meet ing was held. Two state representa- tives were present The result was that Attorney General Frank E. Hcaly of Hartford Sent out a notifica- ,tion yesterday to the effect that cer- tifed public accountants, in order to practice in the state of Connecticut, must have certificates from the state board of accounting. He also ruled that C. F. As of other states were not entitled to consideration unless they made their standing clear by com piance with requirements of the state
 Law Quoted.
 The law concerning certified public accountants is contained in Chapter o02 Of the laws of 1907 Section 6: Any person who shall advertise or issue any sign, card or any other in dicaton designating himself as cer- tiiied public accountant. or use the l l,r< sir{; words, letters or figures to indicate or represent that he is Il certified public accountant, without having received certificate in accordance with the pro- visions of this act, or who shall issue any such sign, card, or other indica- ton or assuming such title or abbre- viation after any certificate authoriZ- ing such use by him has been re- voked shall be deemed guilty of n msdemeanor, and upon conviction therefore shall be fined not more than $500"
 There is a bill pending in Con- gress similar to this act with the OK ception that the words Tor six months in prison follow the penalty of $500" The bill called the Capper Dill, has passed the senate. A sim 1 liar bill. the Zillhman bill is now be- fore the House.
 Texas has already arrested and fined several offenders. Illinois has stopped a number by injunction. Sev- cral other states have taken strict methods to stop the circulation and use of these certificates, which are practically worthless
 A New York newspaper has re- l fused to print any more advertise