Senate Bill 473

Chairman: James Mills

Committee:Banks & Banking

House Sponsor: Steve Tumlin

Senate Sponsor: Mitch Seabaugh

Chairman Mills’ Opinion of the Legislation:

This legislation brings GA in line with the Uniform Accountancy Act so that there is uniformity in the practice of CPAs across all states. This bill changes experience and employment requirements for certificate of “certified public accountants” by decreasing the requirement for continuous experience in public accountancy from two years to one year and the requirement for continuous employment in the accounting field from five years to one year. It also inserts a substantial equivalency practice provision that allows out-of-state certified public accountants to work in GA on a temporary basis without obtaining permit or registering with the Board as long as they satisfy the qualification criteria for such practice privilege. Finally, it ensures that the definition of the term “attest” will not affect the practice of unlicensed accountants. 

Since most of the states require only one year of experience and employment for obtaining CPA certificate, changing GA’s requirements to match those of other state will help retain GA graduates. The provision that allows out-of state CPAs to temporarily provide services in GA without obtaining a permit are intended to speed up the process.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.