Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Accountants in California
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At Kosnett Law Professional Licensing Defense, our Los Angeles accountant attorneys know just how important our clients’ Certified Public Accountant or Professional Accountant licenses are to their livelihoods and careers.
The California Board of Accountancy, or CBA, licenses approximately 60,000 accountants throughout the State of California, and a minimal number of those professionals ever have contact with disciplinary or enforcement officials from the agency unless a complaint is filed against them.
When there are complaints, the consequences of Certified Public Accountant discipline can be profound and require a skilled professional Los Angeles Professional licensing defense attorney for accountants to pursue the best outcome for their unique needs.
Our accountant defense attorneys represent all California licensed professionals, no matter where they operate in the Golden State, and will fully investigate the claims made against you or your accounting firm to build the best outcome for you, your profession, and your future, starting with a free consultation today.
When Should I Consult with a Professional Licensing Defense Attorney for Accountants in California?
At Kosnett Law, our professional licensing defense attorneys for accountants know that not all professional investigations are related to discipline, which is why we offer end-to-end legal representation for accounting professionals throughout California.
If you are contacted by an investigator, attorney, or administrator for the Board, note their contact information, and call our California accountant defense lawyers today. We will identify the issue and, when possible, resolve it at the earliest stage by replying directly to the investigator. Going forward, we will manage all future communication through our law firm in a manner that is documented and controlled, so your rights are protected from the start.
Any statements you make to an analyst or investigator can become admissions that can be used against you later in court, which makes having an experienced California accountant attorney an integral part of your professional success.
That means you do not have to speak with the Board, or any other investigative branch, without understanding your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome.
Our professional licensing defense attorneys for accountants represent existing professionals throughout California and assist future accountants in obtaining their licenses when obstacles like past criminal convictions are obstructing their professional paths.
At Kosnett Law, our professional licensing defense attorneys also following services:
- Chiropractors
- Dentists
- Doctors
- Insurance Professionals
- Medical Technicians
- Nurses
- Psychiatrists and Psychologists
- Real Estate Professionals
- Teachers
What are the Most Common Types of Violations Alleged Against Accountants in California?
Accountants play an integral role in providing critical financial advice and services for individuals and their personal/family needs or tax requirements, small and large business accounting practices, and State or Federal government budgeting.
When someone lodges a claim in relation to those services, the personal accountant and/or their accounting firm’s reputation, license, and future are at stake.
Some of the more common types of violations alleged against California accountants may include:
- Accepting employment with an audit client
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Breaching rules of client confidentiality
- Civil judgment for fraud, misrepresentation, theft, or dishonest acts
- Conducting audit work while failing to use an engagement letter
- Criminal convictions
- Deficiencies in peer review
- Discrimination
- Dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or misappropriation of funds or property
- Failure to complete required continuing education, or falsifying continuing education reporting
- Failure to cooperate with a Board investigation
- Failure to file one’s own income tax returns
- Failure to preserve and protect client files
- Failure to follow Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP)
- False advertising
- Fraud in pursuit of an occupational license
- Incompetence
- Knowingly preparing false or materially misleading financial statements, reports, or information
- Negligence in public accounting work
- Paying or accepting referral fees
- Practicing under an unlicensed corporation or unapproved DBA name
- Practicing while addicted to drugs or alcohol
- Publicly displaying a license that is expired, suspended, or revoked
- Unauthorized signing of attest reports
- Undertaking professional activities that the practitioner is not qualified to perform
- Unlawful receipt of commissions
- Unprofessional conduct
- Violations of conflict-of-interest rules
- Willful accounting violations
At Kosnett Law, our CPA and PA licensing defense attorneys in Orange County have an intricate understanding of California laws and the California Board of Accountancy licensing requirements, and use customized, effective legal methods to resolve Certified Public Accountant discipline and license investigations needs, starting with a free consultation.
How Will the Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Accountants in California Help With My Unique Case?
Outside of the California Board of Accountancy, our state’s Certified Public Accountants and Public Accountants must adhere to the stringent standards established by additional professional accounting organizations, including the:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Financial Accounting Standards Board
- National Society of Accountants
Our Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Accountants in California represent Certified Public Accountants, Public Accountants, and other professionals who are under investigation for allegations of misconduct or have already had their licenses suspended or revoked during the disciplinary process.
That includes providing experienced legal representation in all State and/or Federal courts and administrative venues for each of our client’s unique needs, which may include:
- Accusations involving Competency and Conduct
- Administrative Hearings
- Arbitrations
- Audit Body Review and Deficiencies
- Bankruptcies
- Citation Defense
- Civil Lawsuits
- Criminal Charges
- Denials of Licensure
- Disciplinary Proceedings
- Discipline as a result of action by FINRA, the SEC, or the PCAOB
- Expungements
- Fee Disputes
- Investigations
- Licensing Issues
- Mediations
- CalCPA and other Peer Review Reporting
- Petitions for Reinstatement of Revoked Accountancy License
- Probation Review and Termination
- Tax and IRS Issues
Contact our skilled Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Accountants in California today if a Board Analyst or Investigative CPA has contacted you to ensure your rights are protected from the beginning of your case.
What Happens Once Contact From the Board Turns Into a Case?
Once contact from the board evolves into an actual case, the investigator will file an internal report, which may result in the filing of a statement of issues, denying an application for licensure, or an accusation, seeking to discipline an existing licensee through a warning, public reproval, probation, suspension, or complete revocation.
If a case is filed, we will defend our client in the Office of Administrative Hearings, or OAH. We engage in discovery, attempt a settlement, and then go to an evidentiary hearing, or trial, if necessary.
After the trial, the Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, issues a Proposed Decision, which is then either adopted or not adopted by the Board.
If the Board adopts a decision unfavorable to the client, we can seek Reconsideration, and if that is denied, or not sought at all, then we can proceed to file a Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandamus or Mandate in the Superior Court.
We will attempt to resolve it in a way that saves your license, protects your reputation, and minimizes or eliminates any disciplinary actions.
We will also use our litigation skills and unique experience to provide premier defense services aimed at protecting the license critical to your work and career if charges arise from the complaint.
The firm’s policy is to provide a free consultation, by telephone, online conference, or in our offices, to every person or business needing legal advice or representation. Our unmatched reputation in California extends throughout the United States, with international practice in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe & Asia.
Call Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense For Schedule Consultation Today
Contact our skilled Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Accountants in California today to schedule a free consultation by calling 213-444-7804 or contact us online to learn about our track record of success, and why it is second to none.
