Mr. Karan Bhatti, CPA of Victoria, BC was employed in a full-time manager role at a national accounting firm, and then simultaneously began working in a full-time manager role at a second national accounting firm. This dual employment continued for a period of months, until each firm became aware of the concurrent employment, at which time Mr. Bhatti resigned from both firms.
Mr. Bhatti submitted an expense report related to a professional development course to the first national accounting firm and received reimbursement. Mr. Bhatti then submitted a similar expense report, related to the same professional development course, to the second national accounting firm and received reimbursement. Mr. Bhatti repaid both accounting firms after he resigned.
The Investigation Committee determined that Mr. Bhatti contravened the following Rules of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct:
201.1 - Maintenance of the good reputation of the profession
202.1 - Integrity and due care
205 - False or misleading documents and oral representations
210.1 & 210.2 - Conflicts of Interest
The Committee recommended that Mr. Bhatti:
- accept a reprimand;
- pay a fine of $10,000; and
- pay investigation expenses of $3,414.