On behalf of a registered firm, the Member was retained by a client to perform specified audit procedures and complete a Law Society Reporting Form Trust Report – Accountant’s Report (the “Report”). When the Member submitted the Report to the Law Society, the Member misrepresented the status of their licensure to the Law Society of British Columbia. The Report was completed and submitted to the Law Society using a Juricert number that was issued in the Member’s personal name and not the name of the registered firm that undertook the engagement to produce the Report. The Law Society subsequently conducted a review of the client’s trust accounts, and noted numerous breaches of trust accounting rules that should have been included in the Report. The Member was not licensed by CPABC to perform the engagement.
The Investigation Committee determined the Member contravened the following:
Rules of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct
101.1 (b) - Compliance with governing legislation, bylaws, regulations and the Code
201.1 - Maintenance of the good reputation of the profession
202.1 - Integrity and due care
203 - Professional competence
205 (a) - False or misleading documents and oral representations
Bylaw
700 - Public practice by CPA members
The Investigation Committee recommended the Member:
- accept a reprimand;
- pay a fine of $1,000;
- pay expenses of $3,400; and
- provide evidence to CPABC that the Law Society of British Columbia cancelled the member’s Juricert registration.