Mr. Vasa is a CPABC member who lives in Gujarat, India. Mr. Vasa was associated with a public accounting firm (the “firm”) that was providing public accounting services in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The firm website listed Mr. Vasa as a team member and Mr. Vasa’s social media included a reference to his employment at the firm. Mr. Vasa also signed Notice to Reader financial statements that were prepared on the firm letterhead and provided to a client of the firm. Neither the firm nor Mr. Vasa, are licenced by CPABC or CPA Nova Scotia to provide public accounting services.
The Investigation Committee determined that Mr. Vasa 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
203 - Professional competence
205 - False or misleading documents and oral representations
The Committee recommended that Mr. Vasa:
- accept a reprimand;
- pay a fine of $5,000;
- pay investigation expenses of $1,806; and
- complete a course on CPABC regulatory requirements.