2011 California Code
Business and Professions Code
DIVISION 3. PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY [5000 - 9998.8]
ARTICLE 5. Certificates, Information and Records
Section 5094.6

(a) No later than June 1, 2012, the committee shall recommend to the board ethics study guidelines consisting of no less than 10 semester units to be included as a part of the education required under Section 5093. Ethics study may consist of academic courses, portions of courses, or independent study offered by degree-granting universities, colleges, or other institutions of learning accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. Nothing herein shall be deemed inconsistent with prevailing academic practice regarding completion of units.

(b) The board shall, no later than January 1, 2012, by regulation, adopt guidelines for accounting study to be included as part of the education required under Section 5093. In promulgating these regulations, the board shall consider the views of the Accounting Education Advisory Committee established under Section 5094.7.

(c) No later than six months following the issuance of the report by the California Research Bureau regarding the Uniform Accountancy Act s 150-hour rule, the board shall hold a hearing on the report. At the hearing, the board shall make recommendations, based on that report, to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for ensuring the relevancy of accountancy education to the modern practice of accounting and shall approve a plan for the board to seek the adoption of those recommendations and any others the board may recommend related to enforcement and Internet disclosure.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Except as provided in subdivision (c), committee means the Advisory Committee on Accounting Ethics Curriculum established under Section 5094.5.

(2) Ethics study guidelines means the guidelines for the study of ethics adopted for California by the committee and the board consisting of a program of learning that provides students with a framework of ethical reasoning, professional values, and attitudes for exercising professional skepticism and other behavior that is in the best interest of the investing and consuming public and the profession. At minimum, it includes academic work or independent study and shall include a foundation for ethical reasoning and the core values of integrity, objectivity, and independence consistent with the International Education Standards-4 of the International Accountants Education Standards Board, the International Federation of Accountants Code of Ethics, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Code of Professional Conduct.

(3) Accounting study means independent study or other academic work in accounting, business, ethics, business law, or other academic work relevant to accounting and business, so as to enhance the competency of students as practitioners.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 344, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2012.)