STATE OF WISCONSIN
ACCOUNTING EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING : PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : ACCOUNTING EXAMINING BOARD
ACCOUNTING EXAMINING BOARD : ADOPTING RULES
: (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE )
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PROPOSED ORDER
An order of the Accounting Examining Board to amend s. Accy 2.304 (2), (3), (4), and (5), relating to examination requirements. Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Statutes interpreted:
Statutory authority:
Explanation of agency authority:
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 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., sets forth the parameters of an agency’s rule-making authority, stating an agency “may promulgate rules interpreting provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency. . .but a rule is not valid if the rule exceeds the bounds of correct interpretation.” 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.” Related statute or rule:
None.
Plain language analysis:
The Accounting Examining Board revised ch. Accy 2 to extend the rolling period of credit to pass all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination from 18 months to 30 months and clarified that the period begins on the date of notification that the first section is passed. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
None.
Summary of public comments received on statement of scope and a description of how and to what extent those comments and feedback were taken into account in drafting the proposed rule:
The Accounting Examining Board held a preliminary public hearing on the scope statement on March 6, 2024. Tammy Hofstede on behalf of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) commented in support of the rule project and recommended to the board and the department to make clear when the rule goes into effect and to prepare for any issues to make the transition easier.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois:
As of January 1, 2024, the Illinois Board of Examiners requires applicants for a CPA to complete the Uniform CPA exam’s four sections within a rolling 30-month period that begins from the actual date the score for each section is released to the applicant. [Ill. Admin. Code Title 23 § 1400.140].
Iowa:
As of April 10, 2024, the Iowa Accountancy Examining Board requires that all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination must completed within a rolling 30-month period, which is calculated on the date the examination administrator provides scores to the boards, the candidate, or both. [193A IAC 3.6 (542)]
Michigan:
