In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct, the Member has agreed to voluntarily suspend their membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) and the practice licence issued to them by CPABC for a period of one year, commencing on December 1, 2018.
The professional misconduct alleged against the Member includes breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (one of CPABC’s predecessors), including:
- engaging in the practice of public accounting while not licensed to do so;
- depositing a client’s tax refund into the Member’s chequing account;
- charging unreasonable professional fees;
- using real property owned jointly with a client as collateral for a personal mortgage without the knowledge or consent of the client; and
- failing to complete a review engagement.
The Member has not admitted to allegations 2 to 5 that CPABC has made against them.
The Member also agreed to pay $9,100.00 towards CPABC’s costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
During the one year period of the voluntary suspension of membership in CPABC and the practice licence issued by CPABC, the Member cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Certified General Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CPA, CGA”, or “PA”, or imply, suggest, or hold out that they are a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant.