2023 Code of Virginia › Title 54.1 - Professions and Occupations › Chapter 44 - Public Accountants › § 54.1-4413.4. Penalties

A. Penalties the Board may impose consist of:
1. Revoking the privilege of using the CPA title in Virginia or providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia;
2. Suspending or refusing to renew or reinstate the privilege of using the CPA title in Virginia or providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia;
3. Reprimanding, censuring, or limiting the scope of practice of any person using the CPA title in Virginia or any firm providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia;
4. Placing any person using the CPA title in Virginia or any firm providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia on probation, with or without terms, conditions, and limitations;
5. Requiring a firm holding a Virginia license to have an accelerated peer review conducted as the Board may specify or to take other remedial actions;
6. Requiring a person holding a Virginia license to satisfactorily complete additional or specific continuing professional education as the Board may specify;
7. Imposing a monetary penalty up to $100,000 for each violation of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated by the Board; any monetary penalty may be sued for and recovered in the name of the Commonwealth; and
8. Requiring any person or entity that violates § 54.1-4414 to discontinue any acts in violation of that provision.
B. The Board may impose penalties on persons using the CPA title in Virginia or firms providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia for:
1. Violation of the provisions of this chapter or violation of any regulation, subpoena, or order of the Board;
2. Fraud or deceit in obtaining, renewing, or applying for reinstatement or lifting the suspension of a Virginia license;
3. Revocation, suspension, or refusal to reinstate the license of another state for disciplinary reasons;
4. Revocation or suspension of the privilege of practicing before any state or federal agency or federal court of law;
5. Dishonesty, fraud, or gross negligence in providing services to or on behalf of an employer, in providing services to the public, or in providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services;
6. Dishonesty, fraud, or gross negligence in preparing the person's or firm's own state or federal income tax return or financial statement;
7. Conviction of a felony, or of any crime involving moral turpitude, under the laws of the United States, of Virginia, or of any other state if the acts involved would have constituted a crime under the laws of Virginia; or
8. Lack of the competence required to provide services to the public for persons and entities located in Virginia or to provide attest services, compilation services, and financial statement preparation services to persons and entities located in Virginia, as determined by the Board.
C. The Board may also impose penalties on:
1. A person who does not hold a Virginia license, or who does not meet the requirements to use the CPA title in Virginia under the substantial equivalency provisions of § 54.1-4411, and commits any of the acts prohibited by § 54.1-4414; or
2. An entity that does not meet the criteria prescribed by subdivision D 1 of § 54.1-4412.1 and commits any of the acts prohibited by § 54.1-4414.
2007, c. 804; 2015, c. 287; 2017, c. 403.