Las Vegas Accountant License Defense Attorney
Other Practice Areas
Contact Us
Experienced Accountant License Defense Attorney In Las Vegas, NV
As a Certified Public Accountant, your professional license is essential for managing the financial affairs of businesses and individuals. That’s why one complaint can lead to dire consequences for you. If that’s the situation you’re facing in Nevada, our Las Vegas accountant license defense lawyer is here to help minimize the impact on your career.
CPAs have spent considerable time and money to obtain their licensure. Therefore, it’s understandable how disconcerting it can be when your professional license is questioned due to an accusation of wrongdoing. Understandably so, state licensing boards must maintain high expectations for ethical excellence since they entrust you with confidential financial information. If left unresolved, even the smallest complaint could lead to disciplinary action that may result in losing your certification and possibly ending your career altogether – making this situation all the more urgent! Thankfully, should your professional license come under scrutiny, our Las Vegas CPA license defense attorney can protect you from any potential harm and preserve your career. Contact our office today for a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Allegations That Can Cause CPA Licenses To Be Revoked
CPAs are held to a high standard and expected to adhere to a code of ethics that includes accuracy, integrity, and professionalism. Thus, most complaints leading to license suspension will likely be related to violating these moral principles. Additional reasons an accountancy license could be revoked include:
- Criminal charges: In most states, criminal convictions might prevent you from becoming an accountant, especially if they concern fraud or financial misconduct.
- Gross negligence, dishonesty, or fraud: Some examples include filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients, failing to file required returns, doctoring a company’s financial records, or mishandling confidential client information.
- Violating the rules of professional conduct: The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)Code of Professional Conduct is used by most states as the standard that licensed CPAs must follow. Breaching these rules could lead to losing your license.
- Additional violations: Any other professional or ethical violation that suggests you are incapable of fulfilling your duties as a CPA.
Accounting Professionals And DUI Charges
As an accounting professional in Nevada, it is essential to be aware that a DUI conviction can have severe ramifications for your license and career. Not only does such a charge involve hefty criminal penalties, but also carries the risk of damaging your reputation and potentially taking away your livelihood – leaving you without any means of income.
In the event that your DUI is a felony offense, you may have to face suspension or revocation of your CPA license. When it comes to misdemeanors, while they might not end with severe consequences like felonies do, one likely consequence could be reporting your conviction to the State Board at the time of renewal or when applying for a new license. Nonetheless, if you never got convicted for being arrested on a said charge, then this does not necessarily require any disclosure.
While it is possible to attain a CPA license with a misdemeanor DUI conviction, acquiring this privilege may be more difficult if your DUI is classified as a felony. It’s essential that you take the proper steps in defending yourself from such charges immediately following arrest by consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney who specializes in CPA license defense so that you are fully informed of your rights and adequately protected throughout the process.
Understanding the Potential Consequences
If the Board deems that you have acted in violation of its Code of Professional Conduct, there could be serious repercussions. Such consequences may include, but are not limited to:
- Reprimand. This is the least serious penalty you face but can do considerable damage to your professional reputation.
- Probation. You are allowed to continue practicing but are subject to additional oversight and reporting requirements. You may also be ordered to take corrective action or complete additional ethical or other education courses.
- Suspension. Your license may be suspended for several months or years, meaning that you cannot practice as an accountant in the state of Nevada.
- Revocation. In cases where serious violations have occurred, the Board may permanently revoke your license to practice.
Every case presents its own set of conditions, and the outcomes could jeopardize your career. We understand how important it is to address these matters with a personalized strategy that aligns with what you hope to accomplish—be it quickly resolving the issue or challenging any claims against you. Our Las Vegas accountant license defense attorney works closely with you in order to develop an effective legal plan for defending your license. With us by your side, we will ensure that whatever path you choose is one most suitable for protecting both your personal and professional interests.
How A Las Vegas Accountant License Defense Attorney Can Help
Although many accountants and tax professionals believe they only require legal representation when facing a hearing before the Board, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In reality, enlisting an experienced Nevada CPA license defense lawyer as soon as possible will dramatically increase your prospects of getting a favorable outcome in your case. Don’t wait until you receive an unfavorable decision to start looking for counsel – it may be too late!
An experienced Las Vegas accountant license defense attorney can be a valuable resource to guide you through the entire disciplinary process, whether it has just started or is already underway. Our team provides support in a variety of ways:
- Navigating the licensing and renewal process, appealing licensing denials
- Resolving compliance issues
- Responding to the initial complaint
- Responding to and cooperating with board investigations
- Providing advice and guidance regarding settlement options
- Handling all correspondence related to the process, including settlement discussions
- Representation at hearings before the board or regulatory agency
- Handling any necessary appeals
Our team helps accountants and tax professionals with any inquiries about their ethical duties or matters that could lead to disciplinary action. We provide the insight they need for peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens After A Complaint Is Filed Against Your CPA License?
Once a complaint is filed, the licensing board will assess if it falls within its authority. Afterward, they may initiate an investigation and demand evidence in writing to dispute the allegation. Moreover, the panel could call forth documents or witness statements as part of their inquiry.
If the board has sufficient evidence to prove your guilt, they may suggest you sign a consent order which essentially implies that you accept their punishment. However, if they deem it necessary, they have the right to summon and call for a formal hearing in which case you will be expected to provide an argument as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against you. Ultimately, at the end of the hearing procedure and upon evaluation of all presented facts and arguments by both sides-the Board reserves full authority when determining what action is appropriate for this situation; including revoking your CPA license altogether.
Though you may be permitted to maintain your accounting license with a lesser penalty, such as fines or probation, any disciplinary action taken against you will reflect on your professional reputation due to the public record. You can limit this damage by recruiting an experienced CPA license defense attorney. The Spartacus Law Firm is well-versed in negotiating resolutions with boards that could lead to dismissed complaints and help keep other potentially damaging penalties at bay!
Can I Be A CPA With A Criminal Record In Nevada?
The Nevada State Board of Accountancy (NSBA) has the authority to deny CPA certificates if you have been convicted of a felony in Nevada or any other state. Additionally, should your criminal history include acts involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, such as:
- DUI charges
- Domestic violence
- Embezzlement
- Fraud crimes
- Theft crimes
If you have a criminal past, it is highly recommended that you seek advice from a Las Vegas accountant license defense attorney regarding your options. Sealing your records or demonstrating complete rehabilitation may make the NSBA more likely to confer certification upon you.
What Are Common Causes Of Disciplinary Action Against CPA Professionals?
The National Society of Business Accountants is authorized to launch disciplinary proceedings against CPAs who are found guilty of any criminal offenses such as:
- Any felony relating to the practice of public accounting
- Any crime involving moral turpitude
- Any crime that has dishonesty or fraud as an element
Be aware that disciplinary action could be taken if any of the following misdeeds occur:
- Fraud or deceit in obtaining a CPA certificate or a permit to practice public accounting
- Dishonesty, fraud, or gross negligence
- Violation of any of the provisions of NRS 628 or of the rules of professional conduct adopted by the NSBA
- Failing to retain an annual permit
- Conduct discreditable to the profession of public accounting or which reflects adversely upon your fitness to engage in the practice of public accounting
What Happens At Accountancy Disciplinary Hearings?
NSBA disciplinary hearings provide an opportunity for the Nevada Attorney General’s Office (on behalf of the NSBA) and you to come together in order to reach a resolution. The following are events that are likely to occur at an accountancy disciplinary hearing:
- Present evidence,
- Call witnesses, and
- Cross-examine each other’s witnesses
Once the court hearing is complete, NSBA members will carefully examine the evidence and decide by majority vote what – if any – punishments to assign you.
It is important to remember that engaging the services of a Las Vegas CPA license defense attorney who has experience in administrative proceedings is highly recommended. Moreover, if you choose not to respond or appear at the hearing, it will still occur without your presence and a decision may be rendered by the Board. Some examples of disciplinary action which could potentially be ordered by NSBA include:
- Fines of up to $5,000
- Public reprimand
- Pre-release work reviews
- Probation
- Suspension of your CPA certificate
- revocation of your CPA certificate
Can I Go To Jail For Lying About Being A CPA In Nevada?
Violating the law and falsely claiming to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Nevada comes with serious consequences. Those who recklessly use terms such as “certified public accountant” or “CPA” without being officially certified may face gross misdemeanor charges, along with accompanying penalties like jail time and hefty fines, including:
- Up to $2,000 in fines, and/or
- Up to 364 days in jail
Contact Our Las Vegas Accountant License Defense Attorney Today
If you receive notification of a claim against your accounting license, do not wait to be summoned to a hearing and instead hire an experienced Las Vegas accountant license defense attorney immediately. Having legal representation at the onset offers you a greater opportunity for resolution without having to go through with a hearing – plus, if it comes down to that, having counsel will increase the likelihood of achieving a positive result. Contact the Spartacus Law Firm today for a consultation and to learn more about how we can help you fight the allegations.