45:2B-55 - Requirements for registration as firm of public accountants
45:2B-55 Requirements for registration as firm of public accountants.
14. a. A firm engaged in this State in the practice of attest services and not otherwise registered with the board or exempt from registration under section 13 of P.L.1997, c.259 (C.45:2B-54) shall be required to register with the board as a firm of public accountants. A firm engaged in the practice of public accountancy, but not performing attest services, shall be eligible to register with the board as a firm of public accountants. In either case, the firm shall meet the following requirements:
(1)At least one owner of a firm shall be a public accountant or certified public accountant in good standing, and licensed to practice public accountancy in this State;
(2)Each owner of the firm, other than a nonlicensee, shall be a public accountant or certified public accountant of any state or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia in good standing, and licensed to practice public accountancy where licensed;
(3)There shall be a public accountant or certified public accountant in the firm who has ultimate responsibility for each attest engagement. On all firm applications and renewal forms, a licensee shall be designated as responsible and in charge of all professional matters relating to the practice of accountancy by the registered firm. Each resident manager in charge of a practice unit of a firm in this State and each owner thereof, other than a nonlicensee, personally engaged within this State in the practice of public accounting shall be a public accountant or a certified public accountant of this State in good standing and licensed to practice public accountancy in this State.
b.Application for registration of a firm shall be made upon the affidavit of an owner of the firm who is a public accountant or certified public accountant of this State in good standing and licensed to practice public accountancy in this State. The board shall in each case determine whether the applicant is eligible for registration. A firm which is so registered may use the words "public accountant" or the abbreviation "PAs" in connection with its firm name. Notification shall be given to the board within 90 days after admission or withdrawal of an owner licensed and practicing in this State from any firm so registered.
L.1997, c.259, s.14; amended 1999, c.215, s.3; 2001, c.149, s.7; 2008, c.45, s.3.