ARC 2598C

ARC 2598C

ACCOUNTANCY EXAMINING BOARD[193A]

Notice of Intended Action

Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b."

Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.

Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 542.4, the Accountancy Examining Board hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 2, "Organization and Administration," and Chapter 9, "Reciprocity and Substantial Equivalency," Iowa Administrative Code.

The proposed amendments reflect partial compliance with Iowa Code section 17A.7(2), which states that beginning July 1, 2012, over each five-year period of time, an agency shall conduct an ongoing and comprehensive review of all of the agency's rules. The goal of the review is the identification and elimination of all rules of the agency that are outdated, redundant, or inconsistent or incompatible with statute or its own rules or those of other agencies. The proposed amendment to Chapter 2 updates outdated address information. The proposed amendment to Chapter 9 provides for recognition of a broader scope of accountant designations outside of the United States.

Any interested person may make written or oral suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments on or before July 14, 2016. Comments should be directed to Robert Lampe, Executive Officer, Iowa Accountancy Examining Board, 200 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 350, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; by telephone at (515)725-9024; or by e-mail to robert.lampe@iowa.gov.

A public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. on July 14, 2016, at the offices of the Professional Licensing Bureau, 200 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 350, Des Moines, Iowa. At the hearing, persons who wish to speak will be asked to give their names and addresses for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the proposed amendments.

Any person who plans to attend the public hearing and has special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board to discuss specific needs.

There is no fiscal impact. No current fees are being changed, and no new fees are being imposed.

These amendments are subject to waiver or variance pursuant to 193A—Chapter 5.

These proposed amendments were approved by the Board on May 11, 2016.

After analysis and review of this rule making, a positive impact on jobs is found as a result of the proposed amendment to subrule 9.5(2). By recognizing a broader scope of acceptable accountancy designations outside of the United States, Iowa demonstrates a welcoming perspective to individuals from other countries who seek licensure in Iowa.

These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 542.

The following amendments are proposed.

Item 1. Amend subrule 2.1(3) as follows:

2.1(3) All official communications, including submissions and requests, should be addressed to the board at 1920 S.E. Hulsizer, Ankeny, Iowa 52001 200 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 350, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

Item 2. Amend subrule 9.5(2) as follows:

9.5(2) A person who holds in good standing a certificate, license or designation from a foreign authority that is substantially equivalent to an Iowa CPA certificate shall be deemed qualified for an Iowa CPA certificate if the person satisfies all of the provisions of Iowa Code section 542.19(3). The burden is on the applicant to demonstrate that such certificate, license or foreign designation is in full force and effect and that the requirements for that certificate, license or foreign designation are comparable or superior to those required for a CPA certificate in this state. Original verification from the foreign authority which issued the certificate, license or designation shall be required to demonstrate that such certificate, license or designation is valid and in good standing. If the applicant cannot establish comparable or superior qualifications, the board shall require that the applicant pass the uniform certified public accountant examination designed to test the applicant's knowledge of practice in this state and country. If the applicant is a Canadian Chartered Accountant, Australian Chartered Accountant or Australian Certified Practicing Accountant, Hong Kong CPA, Ireland Chartered Accountant, Mexico Contador Público Certificado (CPC), or New Zealand Chartered Accountant, the applicant may be required to take the International Uniform CPA Qualification Examination (IQEX) in lieu of the uniform certified public accountant examination.