STATE OF WYOMING

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ACT OF 2002

W.S. 33-3-101.	CITATION OF THE ACT.

This act may be cited as the "Certified Public Accountants' Act of 2002".

W.S. 33-3-102.	DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act of 2002:

(a) "AICPA" means the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

(b) "Attest" means providing the following financial statement services subject to the exception set out in 33-3-116:

(i) any audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with the Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS);

(ii) any examination of prospective financial information to be performed in accordance with the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE);

(iii) any review of a financial statement to be performed in accordance with the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS); and

(iv) The statements on standards specified in this definition shall be adopted by reference by the Board pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act and shall be those developed for general application by recognized national accountancy organizations such as the AICPA.

(c) "Board" means the Wyoming Board of Certified Public Accountants created by W.S. 33- 3-103 or its predecessor under prior law.

(d) "State" means any state of the United States , the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam; except that "this State" means the State of Wyoming.

(e) Masculine terms when used in this act shall include the feminine.

(f) "Permit" means a permit to practice as a CPA firm issued by the board under W.S. 33-3- 111 or corresponding provisions of prior law or under corresponding provisions of the laws of other states.

(g) "Certificate" means a certificate as "certified public accountant" issued under W. S. 33-3-
110 of this Act or corresponding provisions of prior law, or a corresponding certificate as certified public accountant issued after examination under the law of any other state.

(h) "Client" means a person or entity that agrees with a certificate or permit holder or a certificate holder's employer to receive any professional service.

(i) "Compilation" means providing a service to be performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) that is presented in the form of financial statements, information that is the representation of the client or client's management (owners) without undertaking to express any assurance on the statements.

(j) "CPA Firm" means any form of organization allowed by state law that has been issued a permit under 33-3-111 of this Act.

(k) "NASBA" means the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

(l) "Practice of Accounting" means holding out to be a certified public accountant or a certified public accounting firm in any manner and offering to perform or performing one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting and auditing skills, including the issuance of reports on financial statements or one or more kinds of management advisory services, financial advisory services, consulting services, the preparation of tax returns or furnishing advice on tax matters.

(m) "Professional" as used in this act means arising out of or related to the specialized knowledge or skills associated with CPAs.

(n) "Report" when used with reference to financial statements prepared by certificate or permit holders, means an opinion, report, or other form of language that states or implies assurance as to the reliability of any financial statements and that also includes or is accompanied by any statement or implication that the person or firm issuing it has special knowledge or competence in accounting or auditing. A statement or implication of special knowledge or competence may arise from use by the issuer of the report of names or titles indicating that the person or firm is a certificate or permit holder, or from the language of the report itself. The term "report" includes any form of language which disclaims an opinion when such form of language is conventionally understood to imply any positive assurance as to the reliability of the financial statements referred to and/or special competence on the part of the person or firm issuing such language; and it includes any other form of language that is conventionally understood to imply such assurance and/or such special knowledge or competence.

(o) "Rule" means any rule, regulation, or other written directive of general application duly adopted by the Board.

(p) "This Act" means W. S. 33-3-101 through 33-3-501.

W.S. 33-3-103.	WYOMING BOARD OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS: .

There is hereby created a Wyoming Board of Certified Public Accountants which shall have responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this act. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor of the State of Wyoming. Members of the board shall be citizens of the United States and residents of Wyoming. Three (3) members of the board shall be persons who hold certified public accountant certificates issued under the laws of Wyoming and who work for a firm permitted under 33-3-111 and are in good standing as certified public accountants. One (1) member of the board shall be a person who holds a certified public accountant certificate issued under the laws of Wyoming and who does not work for a firm permitted under W. S. 33-3-111 . One (1) member of the board shall be a member of the general public who is not a certficate holder and who does not provide accounting services. . The term of each member of the board shall be three (3) years, the term of each to be designated by the governor except that members of the board appointed and serving as members under prior law at the effective date of this act shall serve out the terms for which they were appointed, as members of the board created by this section. Vacancies occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. Upon the expiration of his term of office, a member shall continue to serve until his successor is appointed and qualified. The governor may remove any member he appoints as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. No person, who has served two (2) successive complete terms shall be eligible for reappointment until after the lapse of two (2) full terms . An appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be considered a complete term.

W.S. 33-3-104.	BOARD CHAIRMAN; BOARD SECRETARY; REGULATIONS; QUORUM; SEAL; RECORDS.

(a) The board shall elect annually a chairman and other officers as the board may determine to be appropriate. . The board shall meet at the times and places as may be fixed by the board. Meetings of the board shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the public meetings statutes, W. S. 16-4-401, et. seq. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board shall have a seal which shall be judicially noticed. The board shall retain or arrange for the retention of all applications and all documents under oath that are filed with the board also records of its proceedings .

(b) The Board may employ an executive director and such other personnel as it deems necessary in its administration and enforcement of this Act. It may appoint such committees or persons, to advise or assist it in such administration and enforcement, as it may see fit. It may retain its own counsel to advise and assist it in addition to such advice and assistance as is provided by the Attorney General of this State.

(c) The Board shall have the power to take all action that is necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this Act, including the power to sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this State. The Board shall also have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents; to administer oaths; to take testimony, to cooperate with the appropriate authorities in other states in investigation and enforcement concerning violations of this Act and comparable acts of other states; and to receive evidence concerning all matters within the scope of this Act. In case of disobedience of a subpoena, the Board may invoke the aid of any court in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence. The Board, its members, and its agents shall be immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the Board's responsibilities, and the State shall hold the Board, its members, and its agents harmless from all costs, damages, and attorneys' fees arising from claims and suits against them with respect to matters to which such immunity applies.

W.S. 33-3-105.	ANNUAL REGISTER/ANNUAL REPORT; CONTENTS.

(a) The Board shall file an annual report of its activities with the Governor and the legislature pursuant to Wyoming Statutes. The Board shall mail a copy of the annual report to any person requesting it and paying a reasonable charge therefor.

(b) The Board shall maintain a registry of the names and addresses of all certificate and permit holders and shall prepare for public distribution an annual register which lists all current certificate and permit holders, the names of the board members and other matters deemed proper by the board. Copies of the register shall be mailed to each certificate holder .

W.S. 33-3-106.	COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERS; EXPENSES.

Each member of the Board shall receive as compensation the amount paid each day to legislators for each day or portion thereof spent in the discharge of the member's official duties and shall be reimbursed under W. S. 9-3-102 and 9-3-103 for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties . Compensation, reimbursement of expenses and all other obligations incurred by the board shall be paid from the certified public accountants' account.

W.S. 33-3-107.	FEES; COLLECTIONS; CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS'

ACCOUNT; DISBURSEMENT; TRANSFER OF EXISTING FUNDS.

All moneys collected by the Board from fees authorized to be charged by this Act shall be received and accounted for by the Board and shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Board. Appropriation shall be made for the expenses of administering the provisions of this Act, which may include, but shall not be limited to, the costs of conducting investigations and of taking testimony and procuring the attendance of witnesses before the Board or its committees; all legal proceedings taken under this Act for the enforcement thereof; and educational programs for the benefit of the public and certificate or permit holders and their employees The Wyoming state treasurer shall account for all collections and other funds of the board in a separate account within the trust and agency fund. All funds of any organization of certified public accountants held by the Wyoming state treasurer on the effective date of this act shall be transferred to and become part of the certified public accountant's account.

W.S. 33-3-108.	RULES AND REGULATIONS; PROCEDURE.

(a) The board shall prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this act as it deems consistent with, or required by, the public welfare. The rules and regulations shall include but are not limited to:

(i)	Rules of procedure for governing the conduct of investigations and hearings by the board and rules governing meetings and the conduct of its business. ;

(ii) Rules of professional conduct directed to controlling the quality and probity of services by certificate or permit holders, and dealing among other things with independence, integrity, and objectivity; competence and technical standards; responsibilities to the public; and responsibilities to clients;

(iii) Regulations governing educational and experience requirements for issuance of the certificate of certified public accountant under 33-3-109 and the continuing education requirements for the renewal of certificates under 33-3-110.

(iv)_Rules governing the manner and circumstances of use of the titles "certified public accountant" and "CPA";

(v)	Rules regarding peer review that may be required to be performed under provisions of this Act;

(vi) Rules governing the determination of substantial equivalence;

(vii) Rules governing the professional standards applicable to certificate or permit holders; and

(viii) Such other rules as the Board may deem necessary or appropriate for implementing the provisions and the purposes of this Act.

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(b) All rules and regulations of the board shall be promulgated in compliance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

W.S. 33-3-109.	CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT; QUALIFICATIONS;

(a) A certificate of "certified public accountant" shall be granted by the board to any person who meets the education, experience and examination requirements of this Section and who makes application therefore pursuant to W. S. 33-3-110:

(i) Who is a resident of Wyoming or has a place of business in Wyoming or, as an employee, is regularly employed in Wyoming; and

(ii) Who has attained the age of majority in Wyoming; and

(iii) Who has:

(A) earned a baccalaureate degree conferred by a college or university recognized by the board, with a concentration in accounting as determined by the Board in rules and regulations and has complied with subsection (c) of this section. The Board may accept the application of a candidate who expects to meet the requirements within ninety (90) days following the examination. When any candidate is admitted to the examination on the expectation that the person will complete the education requirement within ninety (90) days, no certificate shall be issued, nor shall credit for any part of the examination be given, unless the requirement is in fact completed within the time or within the time the board in its discretion may determine upon application; or, ;

(B) completed at least one hundred fifty (150) semester hours of college education including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a college or university acceptable to the Board, the total educational program to include an accounting concentration or equivalent as determined to be appropriate by the rules and regulations of the Board. The Board may accept the application of a candidate who expects to meet the requirements within ninety (90) days following the examination. When any candidate is admitted to the examination on the expectation that the person will complete the education requirement within ninety (90) days, no certificate shall be issued, nor shall credit for any part of the examination be given, unless the requirement is in fact completed within the time or within the time the board in its discretion may determine upon application; and

(iv) Who has passed an examination in accounting and auditing and other related subjects the board determines to be appropriate. The examination required to be passed as a condition for the granting of a certificate shall be held at least twice a year, and shall test the applicant's knowledge of the subjects of accounting and auditing, and such other related subjects as the Board may specify by rule, including but not limited to business law and taxation. The time for holding such examination shall be determined by the Board and may be changed from time to time. The Board shall prescribe by rule the methods of applying for and conducting the examination; including grading and determining a passing grade required of an applicant for a certificate, and granting credit for passing individual portions of the examination (conditioning). The Board shall, to the extent possible, see to it that the examination itself, grading of the examination, and the passing grades are uniform with those applicable in all other states. The Board may make such use of all or any part of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and Advisory Grading Service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and may contract with third parties to perform such administrative services with respect to the examination as it deems appropriate to assist it in performing its duties hereunder.

(Covered in section above)

(b)	An applicant for initial issuance of a certificate under this Section shall show that the applicant has had one year's full time experience. This experience shall include providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills all of which shall be verified by a certificate holder or the equivalent experience	satisfactory to the Board as set forth in the Rules and Regulations. This experience would be acceptable if it was gained through employment in government, industry, academia, public practice, or in a CPA firm.

(c) Candidates accepted under subsection (iii)(A) of this Section must demonstrate completion of one the following prior to the issuance of the certificate;

(i) completion of four years of experience as required under subsection (b) of the Section; or

(ii) completion of 150 semester hours of college education with a concentration in accounting, auditing, and business as defined in the rules and regulations.

(d) candidates approved to sit for the examination under the transition provisions of prior law shall successfully pass the examination prior to December 31, 2002 or complete the provisions of subsection (c)(i) or (ii) above.

(e) The board shall establish fees for all examinations as determined by rules and regulations of the board in accordance with the requirements of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, as follows in an amount sufficient to ensure funds adequate to administer the examination required by W.S. 33-3-109.

W.S. 33-3-110.	. ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATES AND MAINTENANCE OF COMPETENCY.

(a) The Board shall grant or renew certificates to persons who make application and demonstrate that their qualifications, including where applicable the qualifications prescribed by 33- 3-109, are in accordance with the following subsections of this Section. The holder of a certificate issued under this Section may only provide attest services, as defined, in a CPA firm that holds a permit issued under 33-3-111 of this Act. This restriction does not prohibit any act of a public official or public employee in the performance of his duties.

(b) Certificates shall be initially issued, renewed annually, and shall expire on December 31 of the year of issuance or renewal. Applications for such certificates shall be made in such form, and in the case of applications for renewal, between such dates, as the Board shall by rule specify and the Board shall grant or deny any such application no later than ninety (90) days after the application is filed in proper form. In any case where the applicant seeks the opportunity to show that issuance or renewal of a certificate was mistakenly denied, or where the Board is not able to determine whether it should be granted or denied, the Board may issue to the applicant a provisional certificate, which shall expire one hundred thirty (130) days after its issuance or when the Board determines whether or not to issue or renew the certificate for which application was made, whichever shall first occur.

(c)	The board shall issue a certificate to a holder of a certificate issued by another state upon showing that:

(i) The applicant passed the examination required for issuance of the applicant's certificate with grades that would have been passing grades at the time in this State;

(ii) The applicant met the education and experience requirements as set forth in W.S. 33-3-109 or the applicant had four years of experience of the type described in W.S. 33-3-109(b) earned within the ten years immediately preceding the application;

(d) If the applicant's experience was earned more than five years prior to the application for issuance of an initial certificate under this Section, that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements of continuing professional education that would have been applicable under subsection (f) of this Section.

(e) As an alternative to the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section, the Board may provide, by Rule, a mechanism for the applicants to demonstrate the requirements have been met. The Board may use or recognize the NASBA National Qualification Appraisal Service or verification from other State Boards of Accountancy.

(f) For renewal of a certificate under this Section each certificate holder shall participate in a program of learning designed to maintain professional competency. Such program of learning must comply with rules adopted by the Board. The Board may by rule create an exception to this requirement for certificate holders who do not perform one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including issuance of reports on financial statements or of one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. Certificate holders granted such an exception by the Board must place the word "inactive" adjacent to their CPA title on any business card, letterhead or any other document or device, with the exception of their CPA certificate, on which their CPA title appears.

(g) Applicants for initial issuance or renewal of certificates under this Section shall in their applications list all states in which they hold certificates, licenses, or permits and list any denial, revocation or suspension of a certificate, license or permit within the prior twelve month period. Each holder of or applicant for a certificate under this Section shall notify the Board in writing of any issuance, denial, revocation, or suspension of a certificate, license or permit by another state.

(h) The Board shall issue a certificate to a holder of a substantially equivalent foreign designation, provided that:

(i) The foreign authority which granted the designation makes similar provision to allow a person who holds a valid certificate issued by this State to obtain such foreign authority's comparable designation; and

(ii) The foreign designation:

(A) was duly issued by a foreign authority that regulates the practice of public accountancy and the foreign designation has not expired or been revoked or suspended;

(B) entitles the holder to issue reports upon financial statements; and

(C) was issued upon the basis of educational, examination, and experience requirements established by the foreign authority or by law; and

(iii) The applicant:

(A) received the designation, based on educational and examination standards substantially equivalent to those in effect in this State, at the time the foreign designation was granted;

(B) completed an experience requirement, substantially equivalent to the requirement set out in sub-section 5(b) of this, in the jurisdiction which granted the foreign designation or has completed four years of professional experience in this State; or meets equivalent requirements prescribed by the Board by rule, within the ten years immediately preceding the application; and

(C) passed a uniform qualifying examination in national standards and an examination on the laws, regulations and code of ethical conduct in effect in this State acceptable to the Board.

(i)	An applicant shall in the application list all jurisdictions, foreign and domestic, in which the applicant holds a designation to practice public accountancy. Each holder of a certificate issued under this subsection shall notify the Board in writing of any issuance, denial, revocation or suspension of a designation or commencement of a disciplinary or enforcement action by any jurisdiction.

(j)	The Board has the sole authority to interpret the application of the provisions of subsections (h) and (i).

(k) There shall be an annual certificate fee not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300.00) to be determined by the Board. If the annual certificate fee is not paid by the deadlines as established by Board rule, a late renewal fee as set by the Board, not to exceed one hundred fifty ($150.00), will be added to the renewal fee. In any case, the renewal fee shall be an amount not in excess of four hundred fifty dollars ($450.00), to be determined by the Board.

(l) Any certificate holder granted the exception to be placed on inactive status pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall pay an annual fee not exceeding one-half (½) of the annual certificate fees assessed in subsection (k) of this section.

W.S. 33-3-111.	. FIRM PERMITS TO PRACTICE AND ATTEST EXPERIENCE.

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(a) Board shall grant or renew permits to practice as a CPA firm to entities that make application and demonstrate their qualifications therefor in accordance with the following subsections of this Section. A firm must hold a permit issued under this Section in order to provide attest services as defined or to use the title "CPA" or "CPA firm".

(b) Permits shall be initially issued and renewed for periods of not more than one year expiring on December 31 of each year following issuance or renewal. Applications for permits shall be made in such form, and in the case of applications for renewal, between such dates as the Board may by rule specify.

(c) An applicant for initial issuance or renewal of a permit to practice under this Section shall be required to show that:

(i)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a simple majority of the ownership of the firm, in terms of financial interests and voting rights of all partners, officers, shareholders, members or managers, belongs to holders of a certificate or a corporation 100% owned by certificate holders who are licensed in some state, and such partners, officers, shareholders, members or managers, and who perform professional services in this state hold a valid certificate issued under 33-3-110 of this Act or the corresponding provision of prior law. Although firms may include non-
certificate holder owners, the firm and its ownership must comply with rules promulgated by the Board.

(ii) Any CPA firm as defined in this Act may include non certificate holder owners provided that:

(A) The firm designates a certificate holder of this state, who is responsible for the proper registration of the firm and identifies that individual to the Board.

(B) All non certificate holder owners are active individual participants in the CPA firm.

(iii) Any individual certificate holder who is responsible for supervising attest or compilation services and/or signs or authorizes someone to sign the accountant's report on the financial statements on behalf of the firm, shall meet the experience or competency requirements set out in the professional standards for such services.

(d) An applicant for initial issuance or renewal of a permit to practice under this Section shall be required to register each office of the firm within this State with the Board and to show that all attest or compilations services as defined herein rendered in this state are under the charge of a person holding a valid certificate issued under 33-3-110 of this Act or the corresponding provision of prior law.

(e) An applicant for initial issuance or renewal of permits under this Section shall in their application list all states in which they hold permits or licenses as CPA firms and list any past denial, revocation or suspension of a permit by any other state. Each holder of or applicant for a permit under this Section shall notify the Board in writing, within 30 days after its occurrence, of any change in the identities of partners, officers, shareholders, members or managers, any change in the number or location of offices within this State, any change in the identity of the persons in charge of such offices, and any issuance, denial, revocation, or suspension of a permit by any other state.

(f) There shall be an annual permit fee not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300.00) to be determined by the Board. If the annual permit fee is not paid by the deadlines as established by Board rule, a late renewal fee as set by the Board, not to exceed one hundred fifty ($150.00), will be added to the renewal fee. In any case, the renewal fee shall be an amount not in excess of four hundred fifty dollars ($450.00), to be determined by the Board.

(g) Firms which are not in compliance with the provisions of sub-section(c) of this Section due to changes in firm ownership or personnel, after receiving or renewing a permit, shall take corrective action to bring the firm back into compliance. The State Board may grant a period of time for a firm to take corrective action, failure to do so will result in the suspension or revocation of the firm permit.

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W.S. 33-3- 112.	CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS; CERTIFICATES UNDER PRIOR LAW; RECOGNITION GIVEN; SUBJECT TO THIS ACT.

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For a period of 12 months from the inception date of this Act all certificate holders who maintain the certificate on inactive status under prior law shall have the opportunity to continue to hold the certificate pursuant to the terms of this act without meeting additional experience requirements under W.S. 33-3-109(b). All holders who elect to avail themselves of this opportunity must comply with all other provisions of the act.

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W.S. 33-3- 113.	INDIVIDUAL CERTIFICATES AND PERMITS; DISCIPLINARY ACTION; GROUNDS.

(a) After notice and hearing, the Board may revoke any certificate or permit issued under 33-
3-110 or 33-3-111 of this Act or corresponding provisions of prior law or suspend any such certificate or permit, or refuse to renew any such certificate or permit for a period of not more than five years; reprimand, censure, or limit the scope of practice of any certificate or permit holder, or place any certificate or permit holder on probation, all with or without terms, conditions, and limitations, for any one or more of the following reasons:

(i) Fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate or permit;

(ii)	Dishonesty, fraud or gross negligence in the performance of services as a certificate or permit holder or in the filing or failure to file the certificate or permit holder's own income or payroll tax returns;

(iii) Violation of any of the provisions of W.S. 33-3-1 116 ;

(iv)Violation of a rule of professional conduct promulgated by the board under the authority granted by this act;

(v)	Conviction of a felony or any crime an element of which is dishonesty or fraud under the laws of Wyoming or any other state or of the United States if the acts would have constituted a crime under the laws of this state ;

( ; Covered under (v)

(vi) Cancellation, revocation, suspension or refusal to renew a license or practice rights for disciplinary reasons in any other state for any cause;

(vii) revocation or suspension of the right to practice before any state or federal agency;

(viii) Failure of a certificate or permit holder to maintain compliance with the requirements for issuance or renewal of the certificate under 33-3-110 or permit under 33-3-111 or to report changes to the Board under 33-3-111(c) or to pay the fee required by 33-3-110(j) or 33-3- 111(f). ;

Cover under ix above.

(ix) Failure of a permit holder to show compliance with W. S. 33-3-120 regarding practice monitoring programs.

(x) Violation of any provision of this Act, any rule promulgated by the Board under this Act, or violation of professional standards;

(xi) Failure to apply for a certificate or permit within one (1) year from the expiration date of the certificate or permit last obtained or renewed ;

(xii) Performance of any fraudulent act while holding a certificate or permit issued under this Act or prior law;

(xiii) Any conduct reflecting adversely upon the certificate or permit holder's fitness to perform services while a certificate or permit holder; or

(xiv) Making any false or misleading statement or verification, in support of an application for a certificate, registration or permit filed by another.

(b) In lieu of or in addition to any remedy specifically provided in subsection (a) of this Section, the Board may require of a certificate or permit holder :

(i) A peer review conducted in such fashion as the Board may specify; and/or

(ii) Satisfactory completion of such continuing professional education programs as the Board may specify.

(c)	Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a certificate issued by the Board, the Board shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the certificate in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a certificate withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.

W.S. 33-3- 114.	BOARD; INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS; PROCEEDINGS.

The board may initiate proceedings under this Act on its own motion or on the written complaint of any person. All proceedings before the board shall be conducted under the rules and regulations adopted by the board and in accordance with provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

(a) The Board may, upon receipt of a complaint or other information suggesting violations of this Act or of the rules of the Board, conduct investigations to determine whether there is probable cause to institute proceedings under W. S. 33-3-113, 33-3-117 or 33-3-118 of this Act against any person or firm for such violation, but an investigation under this Section shall not be a prerequisite to such proceedings in the event that a determination of probable cause can be made without investigation. In aid of such investigations, the Board or the chairperson thereof may issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify and/or to produce evidence.

(b) The Board may designate a member, or any other person of appropriate competence, to serve as investigating officer to conduct an investigation. Upon completion of an investigation, the investigating officer shall file a report with the Board. The Board shall find probable cause or lack of probable cause upon the basis of the report or shall return the report to the investigating officer for further investigation. Unless there has been a determination of probable cause, the report of the investigating officer, the complaint, if any, the testimony and documents submitted in support of the complaint or gathered in the investigation, and the fact of pendency of the investigation shall be treated as confidential information and shall not be disclosed to any person except law enforcement authorities and, to the extent deemed necessary in order to conduct the investigation, the subject of the investigation, persons whose complaints are being investigated, and witnesses questioned in the course of the investigation.

(c) Upon a finding of probable cause, if the subject of the investigation is a certificate or permit holder, the Board shall direct that a complaint be issued, and if the subject of the investigation is not a certificate or permit holder, the Board shall take appropriate action under 33-3-117 or 33-3- 118 of this Act. Upon a finding of no probable cause, the Board shall close the matter and shall thereafter release information relating thereto only with the consent of the person or firm under investigation.

W.S. 33-3- 115.	REINSTATEMENT OF CERTIFICATE OR PERMIT FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN.

(a) In any case where the Board has suspended or revoked a certificate or a permit or refused to renew a certificate, or permit, the Board may, upon application in writing by the person or firm affected and for good cause shown, modify the suspension, or reissue the certificate, or permit.

(b) The Board shall by rule specify the manner in which such applications shall be made, the times within which they shall be made, and the circumstances in which hearings will be held thereon.

(c) Before reissuing, or terminating the suspension of, a certificate, or permit under this Section, and as a condition thereto, the Board may require the applicant therefor to show successful completion of specified continuing professional education; and the Board may make the reinstatement of a certificate, or permit conditional and subject to satisfactory completion of a peer review conducted in such fashion as the Board may specify.

(d) If a certificate or permit is suspended or restricted under 33-3-113(c), the certificate or permit may be reissued without a hearing if the department of family services provides notice that the applicant has complied with the terms of the court order that resulted in the suspension or restriction of the certificate or permit issued under this chapter.

W.S. 33-3- 116.	UNLAWFUL ACTS

(a) Only certificate or permit holders may issue a report on financial statements of any person, firm, organization, or governmental unit or offer to render or render any attest or compilation service, as defined herein. This restriction does not prohibit any act of a public official or public employee in the performance of that non-certificate holders duties as such; or prohibit the performance by any person of other services involving the use of accounting skills, including the preparation of tax returns, management advisory services, and the preparation of financial statements without the issuance of reports thereon. Non-certificate or permit holders may prepare financial statements and issue non-attest transmittals or information thereon which do not purport to be in compliance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS).

(b) Certificate or permit holders performing attest or compilation services must provide those services in accordance with professional standards.

(c) No person not holding a valid certificate shall use or assume the title "certified public accountant," or the abbreviation "CPA" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that such person is a certified public accountant.

(d) No firm shall provide attest services or assume or use the title "certified public accountants," or the abbreviation "CPAs," or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that such firm is a CPA firm unless:

(i) the firm holds a valid permit issued under 33-3-111 of this Act, and

(ii) ownership of the firm is in accord with this Act and rules promulgated by the Board.

(e) No person or firm not holding a valid certificate or permit issued under 33-3-110 or 33-3- 111 of this Act shall assume or use the title "certified accountant," "chartered accountant," "enrolled accountant," "licensed accountant," "registered accountant," "accredited accountant," or any other title or designation which reasonably could be confused with the title "certified public accountant" or use any of the abbreviations "CA," "LA," "RA," "AA," or similar abbreviation which reasonably could be confused with the abbreviation "CPA". The title "Enrolled Agent" or "EA" may only be used by individuals so designated by the Internal Revenue Service. This section shall not prohibit the use of the term "Public Accountant" or the initials "PA".

(f) Non-certificate or permit holders may not use language in any statement relating to the financial affairs of a person or entity which is conventionally used by certificate or permit holders in reports on financial statements. Non certificate or permit holders may use the following safe harbor language:

(i) For Compilations: "I (we) have compiled the accompanying (financial statements) of (name of entity) as of (time period) for the (period) then ended. This presentation is limited to preparing in the form of financial statement information that is the representation of management (owners).

I (we) have not audited or reviewed the accompanying financial statements and accordingly do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them."

(ii) For Reviews: "I (we) have reviewed the accompanying (financial statements) of (name of entity) as of (time period) for the period then ended. These financial statements (information) are (is) the responsibility of company's management.

I (we) have not audited the accompanying financial statements and accordingly do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them."

(g) No person holding a certificate or firm holding a permit under this Act shall use a professional or firm name or designation that is misleading about the legal form of the firm, or about the persons who are partners, officers, members, managers or shareholders of the firm, or about any other matter, provided, however, that names of one or more former partners, members, managers or shareholders may be included in the name of a firm or its successor.

(h) None of the foregoing provisions of this Section shall have any application to a person or firm holding a certification, designation, degree, or license granted in a foreign country entitling the holder thereof to engage in the practice of public accountancy or its equivalent in such country, whose activities in this State are limited to the provision of professional services to persons or firms who are residents of, governments of, or business entities of the country in which the person holds such entitlement, who performs no attest or compilation services as defined and who issues no reports with respect to the financial statements of any other persons, firms, or governmental units in this State, and who does not use in this State any title or designation other than the one under which the person practices in such country, followed by a translation of such title or designation into the English language, if it is in a different language, and by the name of such country.

(i) No holder of a certificate issued under 33-3-110 of this Act shall perform attest services in any firm that does not hold a valid permit issued under 33-3-110 of this Act. No holder of a certificate issued under 33-3-110 of this Act of this Act shall perform any compilation of a financial statement other than through a CPA firm unless such individual undergoes, no less frequently than once every three years, a peer review conducted in such a manner as the Board shall by rule specify, and such peer reviews shall include verification that such individual has met the experience or competency requirements set out in professional standards for such services.

(j) A holder of a certificate who performs compilation services for the public other than through a CPA firm shall:

(1) Sign compilation reports as a CPA

(2) meet experience or competency requirements provided in applicable standards, and

(3) undergo, no less frequently than once every three years, a peer review conducted in such manner as the Board shall by rule specify, and such review shall include verification that such individual has met the experience or competency requirements set out in professional standards for such services.

(k)A certificate or permit holder shall not for a commission recommend or refer to a client any product or service, or for a commission recommend or refer any product or service to be supplied by a client, or receive a commission, when the certificate or permit holder also performs for that client,

(i) an audit or review of a financial statement; or

(ii) a compilation of a financial statement when the certificate or permit holder expects, or reasonably might expect, that a third party will use the financial statement and the certificate or permit holder's compilation report does not disclose a lack of independence; or

(iii) an examination of prospective financial information.

(l) The prohibition in subsection (k) of this section applies during the period in which the certificate or permit holder is engaged to perform any of the services listed in subsection (k) of this section and the period covered by any historical financial statements involved in such listed services.

(m) A certificate or permit holder who is not prohibited by this section from performing services for or receiving a commission and who is paid or expects to be paid a commission shall disclose that fact to any person or entity to whom the certificate or permit holder recommends or refers a product or service to which the commission relates.

(n) Any certificate or permit holder who accepts a referral fee for recommending or referring any service of a certificate or permit holder to any person or entity or who pays a referral fee to obtain a client shall disclose such acceptance or payment to the client.

(o) A certificate or permit holder shall not:

(i) perform for a contingent fee any professional services for, or receive such a fee from a client for whom the certificate or permit holder or the certificate or permit holder's firm performs,

(A) an audit or review of a financial statement; or

(B) a compilation of a financial statement when the certificate or permit holder expects, or reasonably might expect, that a third party will use the financial statement and the certificate or permit holder's compilation report does not disclose a lack of independence; or

(C) an examination of prospective financial information; or

(ii) Prepare an original or amended tax return or claim for a tax refund for a contingent fee for any client.

(p) The prohibition in subsection (o) of this section applies during the period in which the certificate or permit holder is engaged to perform any of the services listed in subsection (o) of this section and the period covered by any historical financial statements involved in any such listed services.

(q) Except as provided in this subsection, a contingent fee is a fee established for the performance of any service pursuant to an arrangement in which no fee will be charged unless a specified finding or result is attained, or in which the amount of the fee is otherwise dependent upon the finding or result of such service. Solely for purposes of this section, fees are not regarded as being contingent if fixed by courts or other public authorities, or, in tax matters, if determined based on the results of judicial proceedings or the findings of governmental agencies. A certificate or permit holder's fees may vary depending, for example, on the complexity of services rendered.

W.S. 33-3- 117.	INJUNCTIONS AGAINST UNLAWFUL ACTS OR PRACTICES;

Whenever, as a result of an investigation under W.S 33-3-114 or otherwise, the Board believes that any person or firm has engaged, or is about to engage, in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of W.S. 33-3-116, the Board may make application to the appropriate court for an order enjoining such acts or practices, and upon a showing by the Board that such person or firm has engaged, or is about to engage, in any such acts or practices, an injunction, restraining order, or other order as may be appropriate shall be granted by such court.

W.S. 33-3- 118.	VIOLATION; PENALTY; PROCEEDINGS.

(a) Whenever, by reason of an investigation under W.S. 33-3-114 of this Act or otherwise, the Board has reason to believe that any person or firm has knowingly engaged in acts or practices that constitute a violation of W. S. 33-3-116 of this Act, the Board may bring its information to the attention of the Attorney General of any State (or other appropriate law enforcement officer) who may, in the officer's discretion, cause appropriate criminal proceedings to be brought thereon.

(b) Any person or firm who knowingly violates any provision of W. S. 33-3-116 of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to the penalties as enumerated in W. S. 6-10-103.

W. S. 33-3- 119.	; PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF VIOLATION.

The display or uttering by a person or a card, sign, advertisement or other printed, engraved or written instrument or device bearing a person's name in conjunction with the words "certified public accountant" or the abbreviation "CPA" is prima facie evidence in any action brought under W.S. 33-3-117 or 33-3-118 that the person whose name is so displayed caused or procured the display or uttered the card, sign, advertisement or other printed, engraved or written instrument or device and that the person is holding himself out to be a certified public accountant. In any action, evidence of the commission of a single act prohibited by this act is sufficient to justify a penalty, an injunction, a restraining order, or a conviction respectively, without evidence of a general course of conduct.

W. S. 33-3- 120	PRACTICE MONITORING PROGRAM

(a)	As used in this article:

(i) "Peer Review" means a study, appraisal or review of one (1) or more aspects of the professional work of a certificate or permit holder by a certificate or permit holder who is not affiliated with the certificate or permit holder being reviewed;

(ii) "Practice monitoring program" means a program consisting of peer reviews which are conducted in conformity with standards promulgated by the peer review committees of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

(iii)"Reviewer" means a certificate or permit holder who fulfills the requirements for peer reviews as established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

(b) The Board shall by rule require, on a uniform or random basis, that certificate or permit holders undergo peer review conducted in such a manner as the Board may specify by rule and regulation and such review shall include verification of compliance with the experience or competency requirements set out in professional standards for such services.

(c) The Board shall by rule require, on either a uniform or a random basis, by any certificate holder who performs compilation services for the public other than through a CPA firm, that such individual undergo, no more frequently than once every three years, a peer review conducted in such a manner as the Board shall by rule specify, and such review shall include verification that the individual has met the experience or competency requirements set out in professional standards for such services.

(d) , Any report, statement, memorandum, transcript, finding, record or working paper prepared and any opinion formulated in connection with any practice monitoring program, which is in the possession of the Board or the reviewer, shall be considered privileged and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena or other means of legal compulsion for release to any person or entity or be admissible as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

W.S. 33-3-201.	ACCOUNTANTS; LIABILITY; DEFINITIONS.

(a) As used in this article, "accountant" means any individual holding a certificate as a certified public accountant under W.S. 33-3- 110 or any partnership, corporation or any other allowable form of practice registered with the state board of certified public accountants under W.S. 33-3- 111 or any employee, agent, partner, manager, member, officer or shareholder of any partnership, corporation or any other allowable form of organization registered with the state board of certified public accountants.

(b) This section governs any action based on an act, error or omission occurring on or after July 1, 1995 brought against any accountant or firm of accountants practicing in this state by any person claiming to have been injured as a result of financial statements or other information examined, complied, reviewed, certified, audited or in the course of an engagement to provide other public accountancy services.

(c) No action may be brought under this section unless:

(i) The plaintiff:

(A) Is the issuer, or his successor, of the financial statements or other information examined, compiled, reviewed, certified, audited or otherwise reported or opined on by the defendant; and

(B) Engaged the defendant accountant to examine, compile, review, certify, audit or otherwise report or render an opinion on such financial statements or to provide other public accountancy services; or

(ii)	The defendant accountant or firm:

(A) Was aware at the time the engagement was undertaken with the accountant's client that the financial statements or other information were to be made available for use in connection with a specified transaction by the plaintiff and the transaction was specifically identified to the defendant; and

(B) Was aware that the plaintiff intended to rely upon such financial statements or other information in connection with the specified transaction.

(d) In order to be entitled to the limitation on liability contained in this article, an accountant shall:

(i) Identify the purpose of the document and the persons or entities that are entitled to receive and rely upon the financial statement or other information examined, compiled, reviewed, certified, audited or otherwise reported or opined on by the accountant in the document prepared by the accountant; and

(ii) Include thereon a statement in a prominent place that advises users of the document that the liability of the accountant to third parties who use the document may be limited pursuant to this article.

W. S. 33-3-301 APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE AS AGENT

Application by a person or a firm not a resident of this State for a certificate under W. S. 33- 3-110 or a permit to practice under W. S. 33-3-111 shall constitute appointment of the Secretary of State as the applicant's agent upon whom process may be served in any action or proceeding against the applicant arising out of any transaction or operation connected with or incidental to services performed by the applicant while a certificate or permit holder within this State.

W. S. 33-3-401 CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Except by permission of the client for whom a certificate or permit holder performs services or the heirs, successors, or personal representatives of such client, a certificate or permit holder under this Act, shall not voluntarily disclose information communicated to the certificate or permit holder by the client relating to and in connection with services rendered to the client by the certificate or permit holder. Such information shall be deemed confidential, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the disclosure of information required to be disclosed by the standards of the public accounting profession in reporting on the examination of financial statements or as prohibiting disclosures in court proceedings, in investigations or proceedings under W. S. 33-3- 114, in ethical investigations conducted by private professional organizations, or in the course of peer reviews, or to other persons active in the organization performing services for that client on a need to know basis or to persons in the entity who need this information for the sole purpose of assuring quality control.

W. S. 33-3-501 APPLICATION

This Act applies to Certified Public Accountants, Certified Public Accounting firms and those who hold themselves out as Certified Public Accountants or Certified Public Accounting firms.