The Member made errors in the preparation of the income tax returns of two married clients. The Member did not respond to repeated inquiries by the clients.
The Investigation Committee determined that the Member contravened the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct as follows
201.1 – Maintenance of the good reputation of the profession
202.1 – Integrity and due care
206.1 – Compliance with professional standards
The Committee recommended the member:
- accepts a reprimand; and
- at the Member’s expense, enter into an arrangement with a senior member of the profession with expertise in practice management (the “Advisor”), who is acceptable to CPABC’s Director, Professional Conduct, in which:
- At the outset of the arrangement, the Member must provide the Advisor with a copy of this and previous Determination and Recommendations (D&Rs), and the related investigation reports;
- In light of the matters noted in the D&Rs, the Advisor will conduct an overall review of the Member’s practice management. The Advisor must periodically review and have periodic mentoring discussions with the Member to promote better understanding of applicable professional, practice management and ethical standards. The Member must meet with the Advisor at least six times in person, by video or by telephone;
- The Advisor must be given access to sufficient documentation to allow the Advisor to understand the nature, extent and issues related to the Member’s practice relevant to this matter;
- This arrangement will last one year; and
- The Member must provide written notification to the Director, Professional Conduct, that at least six meetings with the Advisor have been completed