Uniformity in State Accounting Laws, Rules Increases across the Country

January 26, 2017

sign with US state names

CPAs nationwide are seeing more uniformity in state laws and regulations that impact the accounting profession.

In recent months, Alaska became the 24th state to adopt the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, while Washington, D.C. and Guam became the 40th and 41st jurisdictions, respectively, to pass the comprehensive definition of attest.  Guam has also become the 53rd jurisdiction to adopt individual mobility.

These victories follow successes in Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Washington, all of which also adopted the comprehensive definition of attest in the past year.  The definition now includes all examination, review, and agreed-upon procedures engagements performed under the AICPA’s Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAEs).  Previously, only examinations of prospective financial information performed under the SSAEs were included in the definition.

Additionally, state boards in Illinois, Mississippi and Wisconsin all adopted the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct in 2016.  As individual and firm mobility continue to be adopted in more states and jurisdictions, CPAs and firms that operate across state lines benefit from having uniform laws and rules that regulate the profession.

In 2017, the AICPA State Regulation and Legislation Team will continue to work with state CPA societies to encourage further uniformity in state accounting laws.  For more information on the Team’s initiatives, visit the Team’s webpage or email state@aicpa.org.