Licenses for Accountants (Certified Public Accountants) are handled in California by the California Board of Accountancy.  The Board is notified if an Accountant has been convicted of any crime.  That notification is made by the California Department of Justice within 30 days of a conviction.  A conviction of an accountant licenseholder for DUI will cause the Board to issue an inquiry to the licensee requiring full disclosure of the facts and circumstances of the conviction including all Court Documents and Police Reports.  The Board will thereafter conduct an investigation and determine if the facts and circumstances surrounding the conviction and determine what disciple to impose.

New Applicants for licensing, and also existing Accountants seeking to renew their license, must fill out a Criminal Conviction Disclosure Form disclosing any plea, verdict, or finding of guilt including a plea of no contest to any criminal offense (except  for traffic offenses or citations below a misdemeanor).  Be aware that if you are an Accountant applying for licensure or renewal of your license in California that any misstatement on this form is grounds to deny your license.  The key message here is to disclose, disclose, disclose.  More people get in trouble for trying to hide a conviction than they do

Convictions are grounds for denial of licensure or revocation of accountancy licenses if the conviction is for a crime that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a certified public accountant.

Pursuant to Section 99.1 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, the Board will consider the following criteria for discipline:

1. Nature and severity of the act(s) or offenses.

2. Criminal record and evidence of any acts committed subsequent to the acts or offenses under consideration which also could be considered as grounds for denial, suspension or revocation.

3. The time that has elapsed since commission of the acts or offenses.

4. The extent to which the applicant or licensee has complied with any terms of parole, probation, restitution, or any other sanctions lawfully imposed against the applicant licensee.

5. Evidence of expungement proceedings pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4.

6. Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by the applicant or licensee.

If you are a CPA, or intend to seek licensure through the California Board of Accountancy, and you have a pending DUI or other misdemeanor and/or felony charge, you need a qualified attorney who not only specializes in DUI defense, but also has the necessary training, experience and qualifications to represent you before the California Board of Accountancy.

If you already have a DUI on your record, but are concerned about the CA Board of Accountancy acting on your existing license, then our law firm can help you by getting your conviction expunged.

Your best chance to present all facts about you and your case and avoid license discipline by the California Board of Accountancy is to have a qualified lawyer represent you for your DUI case.

Contact our DUI Defense Attorneys in Orange County, through our law firm, and we can help you.