by
Kimberly Scott, CAE
| May 11, 2015
The two bills drafted by the WSCPA this year made it to the Governor’s desk; both have been signed!
House Bill 1263 - Provides CPAs with an exemption from any requirements of the Private Investigators statute that might arguably require CPAs to obtain a Private Investigator license.
Actual exemption language: statute (12) A certified public accountant regulated under chapter 18.04 20 RCW or the employee of a certified public accountant performing duties within the scope of public accountancy.
- Passed House 93-5 on February 16
- Passed Senate 47-0 on April 14
- Signed by Governor April 25, effective July 24, 2015
Rich Jones, CPA, CGMA, WSCPA President & CEO (above, far right), witnessed the signing of HB 1263.
Senate Bill 5534 (Companion Bill HB 1814) - Creates the Certified Public Accounting Scholarship Program. This will be a merit based scholarship program for fourth and fifth year accounting students in Washington State. Funding for the program would come from a transfer of funds from the Washington State Board of Accountancy (WBOA). The program would be administered by the Washington CPA Foundation under a contract with WBOA. Letters were sent to the Governor from board members, trustees, chapter leaders, and supporting organizations.
- Passed Senate 45-4 on March 9
- Passed House 98-0 on April 15
- On Governor’s Desk April 23, bill signed May 8
- Next step is obtaining funding allocated in the budget and negotiating the contract with the WBOA and the Washington CPA Foundation
On hand to witness the signing: Kimberly Scott, WSCPA Vice President of Member Services and Washington CPA Foundation Executive Director; Rick Sweeney, Washington State Board of Accountancy Executive Director; Rich Jones, WSCPA President & CEO; Brett Jordan, Washington CPA Foundation Board Chair; Lisa Thatcher, WSCPA Lobbyist; Heather Fitzpatrick, WSCPA Board Chair; Lois Swenson-Grudt, WSCPA Member Volunteer Coordinator.