Statement of Scope
Accounting Examining Board
Relating to: | Uniform CPA Examination Deadline |
1. Finding/nature of emergency (Emergency Rule only):
The Board recently became aware that a group of candidates for certification as a Certified Public Accountant were under the reasonable assumption that measures taken in 2020 to extend the 18-month rolling deadline within which all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination must be passed provided them with a deadline that extended into 2021. These individuals now find themselves in a situation where they will have to retake one or more sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, resulting in a delay or possibly a denial of their opportunity to be employed or start a business as a CPA in Wisconsin.
An expeditious promulgation of the proposed rule is in the best interest of Wisconsin’s economy and public welfare, as it will prevent some candidates for certification as a CPA from having to retake one or more sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
2. Detailed description of the objective of the proposed rule:
The Accounting Examining Board will update s. Accy 2.304 to provide a temporary extension of the 18-month rolling deadline within which all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination must be passed. 3. Description of the existing policies relevant to the rule, new policies proposed to be included in the rule, and an analysis of policy alternatives:
Chapter Accy 2 contains the examination requirements for candidates for certification as a CPA. If the rules are not updated, some candidates who are in the process of completing the Uniform CPA Examination may be required to retake one or more exam sections. 4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
Section 15.08 (5) (b), Stats., provides an examining board “[s]hall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains. . .” Section 442.04 (2), Stats., provides that “[t]he examining board shall hold an examination at least once each year at a time and place determined by the examining board.” Section 442.04 (5) (b) 4., Stats., provides the Board may not grant a certificate as a certified public accountant to any person other than a person who “… has successfully passed an examination in such subjects affecting accountancy and business as the examining board considers necessary.” 5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
State employees will spend approximately 80 hours developing the proposed rule.
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
Candidates for Wisconsin certification as a CPA.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
None.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
The proposed rule will have minimal to no economic impact on small businesses and the state’s economy as a whole.
