Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) A Florida certified public accountant may
practice public accounting, whether as an owner or employee, only in the form
of a proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation, or a limited liability
company. A Florida certified public accountant shall not allow any person to
practice in his name that is not a partner or shareholder with him or in his
employ. A Florida certified public accountant shall not practice under a name
which is misleading or deceptive as to the legal form of the firm or as to
persons who are partners, or shareholders of the firm or as to any other
matter. In this regard:
(a) A Florida
certified public accountant may practice public accounting under a fictitious
name which is not misleading or deceptive as to the persons who are sole
proprietors, partners, or shareholders; and
(b) A firm name may include the names of
retired or deceased partners or shareholders or members who were active
partners or shareholders or members of the entity. This provision permits a
firm, in the same line of succession, to change from one form of business to
another and continue to use the names of retired or deceased partners,
shareholders or members.
(c) Use of
the term "and Company" or "and Associates" requires at least one other fully
employed Florida certified public accountant or non certified public accountant
owner other than those named in the firm name; however, this rule does not
preclude a Florida certified public accountant initially meeting this
requirement from using the above-mentioned terms if the Florida certified
public accountant subsequently does not fully employ at least one Florida
certified public accountant other than those named in the firm name.
(d) A firm may use the term "Certified Public
Accountants" in the firm's name if all owners are certified public accountants.
If there are non certified public accountant owners, the firm may use the terms
"CPA Firm" "CPAs and Associates" or "Certified Public Accountants and
Associates" provided the firm has more than one certified public accountant.
Further, a certified public accountant firm with non certified public
accountant owners may not use the term Certified Public Accountants without
indicating there are other owners such as Associates or Consultants.
(e) A firm may only use the term "CPA," "CPA
Firm," "CPAs and Associates," "Certified Public Accountants and Associates," or
any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device
indicating that it is a CPA Firm if it holds a license issued pursuant to
Section 473.3101,
F.S.
(2) Florida
certified public accountants may share office facilities provided there is
adequate disclosure that would enable a reasonable person to determine the
practice is not associated with the profession or occupation not regulated by
the Board, such as written agreements, signs, etc.
Rulemaking Authority
473.304,
473.321 FS. Law Implemented
473.3101,
473.321
FS.
New 12-4-79, Amended 11-7-84, 10-28-85, Formerly 21A-26.01,
Amended 10-20-86, 12-28-89, 7-1-91, 1-7-93, Formerly 21A-26.001, Amended
11-30-93, 12-30-97, 8-16-99, 9-20-00, 12-10-09, 12-21-15,
3-18-18.
