Florida CPA License & Accounting Firm Regulatory Defense
A disciplinary allegation involving a CPA can affect professional licensing, firm operations, and client relationships. The response should address the precise professional duty alleged.
Understand the Notice Before You Respond
Kafrouni Law represents eligible Florida licensed professionals and regulated firms in DBPR administrative investigations and discipline, including matters involving CPAs and accounting firms. CPA complaints may involve engagement scope, reports, firm authorization, continuing education, disclosure obligations, record retention, or alleged misconduct. The defense often requires a disciplined examination of the professional standards that governed the work—not simply the complainant’s characterization of the services.
The Board of Accountancy regulates professional standards and licensure; it does not adjudicate every complaint about accounting fees or recover client payments.
Issues We Evaluate
Board of Accountancy investigations
Evaluate allegations, agency requests, deadlines, engagement records, and licensing obligations.
Accounting firm licensing
Assess firm licensure, responsible professionals, and business structure issues under Chapter 473.
Professional conduct allegations
Examine engagement letters, communications, workpapers where appropriate, and applicable standards.
Licensing and disclosure issues
Review applications, experience documentation, continuing education, and other licensing compliance concerns.
Administrative Complaints
Analyze formal charges, factual disputes, professional discipline guidelines, and resolution options.
How We Evaluate Your Matter
Secure the documentation
Identify relevant notices, engagement letters, reporting workpapers and communications, preserving confidentiality.
Identify the actual standard
Determine which statutory, rule, or professional-standard provision is cited and whether it governs the conduct alleged.
Develop a proportionate strategy
Evaluate documentary defenses, need for an expert accountant, mitigation and procedural choices.
Documents that help us assess the matter
- Board of Accountancy notice and case number
- Engagement letters and client communications
- Workpapers, reports, review and audit files as relevant
- Firm license, peer-review and relevant disclosure records
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a client complaint automatically establish CPA misconduct?
No. A professional dispute and a violation of a specific licensing provision are different questions.
Will an accounting expert be needed?
Some matters require independent accounting analysis. Whether to retain an expert depends on the allegation and evidence.
Can the firm and individual CPA both be investigated?
Yes, depending on the facts and the agency’s alleged violations. Their legal positions should be considered independently.
What documents should I prepare?
DBPR notice, license details, engagement letter, relevant correspondence and an organized index of responsive records.
Does a fee dispute automatically establish CPA misconduct?
No. The Board of Accountancy has defined disciplinary jurisdiction. Its own enforcement guidance distinguishes professional conduct concerns from disputes over fees alone.
Can a CPA firm and its individual accountants face separate issues?
Yes. Individual licensure, firm licensing and the conduct alleged may present separate obligations.
Does a criminal case create reporting obligations?
Certain convictions or pleas may trigger professional reporting duties. Timing, the legal disposition, and the applicable statute must be reviewed; do not assume every arrest is treated the same.
Discuss Your Regulatory Matter
Have the notice reviewed before deciding how to respond. Prepare the original agency notice, your license details, the date received, applicable deadlines, and relevant documentation.
Matters are assessed individually for legal scope, conflicts, and any applicable representation restrictions.