2023 Hawaii Revised Statutes › Title 25. Professions and Occupations › 466. Public Accountancy › 466-10 Prohibited acts.

§466-10 Prohibited acts.
(a) Use of title "certified public accountant":
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, no person shall assume or use the title or designation "certified public accountant" or the abbreviation "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or tending to indicate that the person is a certified public accountant, unless the person holds a current license of certified public accountant issued under this chapter and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter;
(2) No partnership or corporation shall assume or use the title or designation "certified public accountant" or the abbreviation "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "certified public accountant" or "CPA" or tending to indicate that such partnership or corporation is composed of certified public accountants, unless each of the partners of the partnership who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State, or each of the shareholders of the corporation who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State, holds a current license of certified public accountant issued under this chapter and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter; and
(3) No person shall assume or use the title or designation "certified public accountant" or the abbreviation "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "certified public accountant" or "CPA", in conjunction with names indicating or implying that there is a partnership or corporation, or in conjunction with the designation "and Company" or "and Co." or a similar designation if, in any case, there is in fact no bona fide partnership or corporation existing under the laws of this State.
(b) Use of title "public accountant":
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, no person shall assume or use the title or designation "public accountant" or the abbreviation "PA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "public accountant" or "PA" or tending to indicate that the person is a public accountant unless the person holds a current registration of public accountant issued under this chapter and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter;
(2) No partnership or corporation shall assume or use the title or designation "public accountant" or the abbreviation "PA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "public accountant" or "PA" or tending to indicate that the partnership or corporation is composed of public accountants, unless each of the partners of the partnership who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State, or each of the shareholders of the corporation who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State, holds a current license of public accountant issued under this chapter and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter; and
(3) No person shall assume or use the title or designation "public accountant" or the abbreviation "PA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device likely to be confused with "public accountant" or "PA", in conjunction with names indicating or implying that there is a partnership or corporation, or in conjunction with the designation "and Company" or "and Co." or a similar designation if, in any case, there is in fact no bona fide partnership or corporation existing under the laws of this State.
(c) Representation of special knowledge:
(1) No person shall sign or affix the person's name or any trade or assumed name used by the person in the person's profession or business with any wording indicating, suggesting, or implying that the person is an accountant or auditor, or with any wording indicating, suggesting, or implying that the person has special knowledge in accounting or auditing, to any opinion or certificate attesting in any way to the reliability of any representation or estimate in regard to any person or organization embracing:
(A) Financial information, or
(B) Facts respecting compliance with conditions established by law or contract, including but not limited to statutes, ordinances, regulations, grants, loans, and appropriations, unless the person holds a current license and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter.
(2) No person shall sign or affix a partnership or corporate name with any wording indicating, suggesting, or implying that it is a partnership or corporation composed of accountants or auditors or persons having special knowledge of accounting or auditing, to any opinion or certificate attesting in any way to the reliability of any representation or estimate in regard to any person or organization embracing:
(A) Financial information, or
(B) Facts respecting compliance with conditions established by law or contract, including but not limited to statutes, ordinances, regulations, grants, loans, and appropriations,
unless each of the partners of the partnership who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State or each of the shareholders of the corporation who are in the practice of public accountancy in this State holds a current license of certified public accountant or of public accountant issued under this chapter and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter.
(d) Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit any person:
(1) Who holds a current license of certified public accountant issued under this chapter from assuming and using the title and designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA"; provided that if the person does not also hold a current permit to practice issued under this chapter, the person shall clearly indicate in assuming and using said title that the person does not hold the person's self out to be in the practice of public accountancy;
(2) Who holds a current license of public accountant issued under this chapter from assuming and using the title and designation "public accountant" or "PA"; provided that if the person does not also hold a current permit to practice issued under this chapter, the person shall clearly indicate in assuming and using the title that the person does not hold the person's self out to be in the practice of public accountancy;
(3) Who holds a temporary practice permit issued under this chapter from using the title and designation under which the person is generally known in the state or country from which the person received a valid comparable certificate, registration, or license for the practice of public accountancy;
(4) Who is not a certified public accountant or public accountant from serving as an employee of, or an assistant to, a certified public accountant or public accountant; provided that the employee or assistant works under the control and supervision of a person who holds a current license of certified public accountant or of public accountant and a current permit to practice issued under this chapter; and provided further that the employee or assistant does not issue any statement or report over the person's name except office reports to the person's employer as are customary, and that the employee or assistant is not in any manner held out to the public as a certified public accountant or public accountant;
(5) Who is an officer, employee, partner, or principal of any organization from signing or affixing the person's name to any statement or report in reference to the affairs of that organization; provided that in so signing or affixing the person's name the person shall clearly indicate that the person is an officer, employee, partner, or principal of the organization, and the position, title, or office which the person holds therein;
(6) Who is a public official or public employee from the performance of the person's duties as such; or
(7) Who is an attorney at law from engaging in practice as such. [L 1973, c 158, pt of §2; am L 1989, c 110, §11]