The Member prepared an estate tax return for a client. The estate tax return contained errors and was not completed in a timely manner, resulting in interest and penalties assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Member did not communicate with the client in a timely manner, and did not maintain adequate documentation concerning workflow and communications.
The Investigation Committee determined 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
203 - Professional competence
205 - False or misleading documents and oral representations
206.1 - Compliance with professional standards
218 - Retention of documentation and working papers
The Committee recommended the Member:
- accept a reprimand;
- pay a fine of $2,000;
- pay expenses of $2,430 plus GST; and
- take CPABC professional development course PD Nexus: Public Practice Insights