2006 Code of Virginia § 54.1-4414 - Prohibited acts

54.1-4414. Prohibited acts.

A. A person who does not hold a valid CPA certificate shall not:

1. Claim to hold a valid CPA certificate;

2. Practice or offer to practice public accountancy or public accounting;

3. Make any other claim of licensure, registration, or approval related tothe preparation of financial statements that is false or misleading;

4. Describe himself as or assume any of the following titles or designations:certified public accountant, CPA, public accountant, PA, certifiedaccountant, CA, chartered accountant, licensed accountant, LA, registeredaccountant, RA, independent auditor, IA or auditor;

5. Claim to have used "generally accepted accounting principles,""generally accepted accounting standards," "public accountancystandards," "public accountancy principles," "generally accepted auditingprinciples," "generally accepted auditing standards," or "standardspromulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants" orany successor thereto including SSARS, in connection with his preparation ofany financial statement; nor shall he use any of these terms in describingany complete or partial variation from such standards or principles or toimply complete or partial conformity with such standards or principles;

6. Use the words "audit," "audit report," "independent audit,""attest," "attestation," "examine," "examination," "opinion," or"review" in a report, as that term is defined in this chapter, and thatexpresses assurance on a financial statement; or

7. State or imply that he is tested, competent, qualified, or proficient infinancial standards established by (i) the American Institute of CertifiedPublic Accountants or any agency thereof, (ii) the Governmental AccountingStandards Board or any agency thereof, (iii) the Securities and ExchangeCommission or any agency thereof, (iv) the Financial Accounting StandardsBoard, or (v) any successor entity to an entity named in this subdivision.

B. A firm shall not use a name that is false, misleading or deceptive.

C. This section shall not prohibit any officer, partner, member, manager, oremployee of any firm or organization from affixing that person's signature toany statement in reference to the financial affairs of such firm ororganization with any wording designating the position, title, or office thatperson holds therein, nor does this section prohibit any act of a publicofficial or employee in the performance of his duties.

(2001, c. 832; 2004, c. 602.)