"An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Public Accountancy; and providing for an effective date. "

House Bill 64 extends the sunset date of the Board of Public Accountancy (BOPA) until June 30, 2009, in accordance with recommendations of the Legislative Auditor.

The board consists of five certified public accountants and two public members. Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature. The board adopts regulations to carry out the laws governing the practice of public accountancy in Alaska. It makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary action against people who violate the licensing laws.

The board has been working proactively with the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA) and individual CPAs to bring Alaska into conformance with national professional testing standards and to make Alaska more attractive to multi-state businesses by making our accountancy statutes more consistent with the American Institute of the Certified Public Accountants Uniform Accountancy Act.

The legislative auditor has concluded the BOPA meets the statutory requirements of public need and is in compliance with AS 08.01.065(c), which requires occupational licensing fees to cover the regulatory costs of that occupation. A letter from the ASCPA, the accountants' professional organization, endorsing reauthorization of the BOPA is included in the bill package.

Accordingly, the best interests of Alaska's business and professional communities will be served by your support of this reauthorization.

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