2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 37. Professions and Occupations › Chapter 50. Public Accountants › Part 3. Licensing › 37-50-301. Illegal use of title

37-50-301. Illegal use of title.
(1) It is not a violation of this chapter for a firm that is not registered under 37-50-335 and that does not have an office in this state to provide its professional services and to practice public accounting in this state and use the title "CPA" or "CPA firm" so long as it complies with the exemption requirements of 37-50-335(4).
(2) A person may not 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 indicating that the person is a certified public accountant unless the person holds a current license as a certified public accountant under this chapter or qualifies for the practice privilege under 37-50-325.
(3) A firm may not 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 indicating that the firm is composed of certified public accountants pursuant to the requirements of 37-50-330 unless it is registered as required under 37-50-335 or meets the conditions to be exempt from registration as set forth in 37-50-335(4).
(4) A person or firm may not assume or use the title or designation "certified accountant", "chartered accountant", "enrolled accountant", "licensed accountant", "registered accountant", or any other title or designation likely to be confused with "certified public accountant", "licensed certified public accountant", or any abbreviations likely to be confused with "CPA". However, a foreign accountant may use the title under which the foreign accountant is generally known in the foreign country, followed by the name of the country from which the foreign accountant's certificate, license, or degree was received, and a person who is licensed as an enrolled agent by the internal revenue service may use the title "enrolled agent" or the abbreviation "EA".
(5) A person may not sign or affix a firm name with any wording indicating that it is a firm composed of persons offering attest services and compilations unless the firm conforms to the requirements of 37-50-330 and 37-50-335.
(6) A person may not assume or use the title or designation "certified public accountant" in conjunction with names indicating or implying that there is a firm or in conjunction with the designation "and company" or "and co." or a similar designation if there is in fact no bona fide firm that has been formed subject to the provisions of 37-50-330 and 37-50-335. However, it is lawful for a sole proprietor to continue the use of a deceased's name in connection with the sole proprietor's business for a reasonable period of time after the death of a former partner or co-owner.
History: En. Sec. 26, Ch. 118, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 207, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 101, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 66-1838; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 684, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 162, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 335, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 123, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 375, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 109, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 169, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 162, L. 2017.