It takes years of hard work to secure the certified public accountant (CPA) license you need to practice in Texas. If the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) attempts to challenge your right to that license, you have the right to defend it and your career.
Failing to protect yourself from a CPA license suspension or revocation can cause you to lose the ability to practice in Texas. Bertolino LLP understands this threat to your livelihood and wants to help you get ahead of those consequences. That’s why our professional CPA license defense lawyers in Texas stand ready to step in and argue for your right to continue your practice.
Why Might the Board of Accountancy in Texas Try to Revoke or Suspend Your License?
According to the Public Accountancy Act §901.501, the TSBPA and related boards may take punitive action against an acting party if that party faces accusations of criminal misconduct. The accusations that give the Board the right to act can include the following:
- Bad faith conduct
- Violations of rules of professional conduct
- Felony convictions
- Fraud
- DWI or possession convictions
The TSBPA may also act upon complaints claiming you, through your practice, engaged in any of the following forms of misconduct:
- Gross negligence
- Inconsistent fees
- Breach of client confidentiality
- Failure to maintain client files
- Input from other licensing agencies questioning your right to practice
- Failure to meet the standard of care for certified public accountants
- Practicing on a suspended license
- Practicing without a license
What Happens if the Board of Accountancy Successfully Revokes or Suspends Your License?
If you do not challenge the TSBPA’s efforts to suspend or revoke your license, you may lose the right to practice as a certified public accountant in Texas. A license suspension, in these cases, is less severe than a revocation. If you sustain a suspension, you may eventually be able to return to practice, but you may be prevented from practicing for an extended period of time that suits the TSBPA.
If the TSBPA successfully revokes your license, this is much more significant. A revocation means that TSBPA has taken away your license and your livelihood. You are no longer allowed to practice because you no longer hold a license from TSBPA. It may also prove difficult for you to seek a license reinstatement (if you are even eligible) or resume practice in another state.
In other words, it is in your best interest to challenge the TSBPA’s attempts to suspend or revoke your license. Failure to do so actively compromises your career, professional reputation, and livelihood because you cannot practice your chosen profession.
When Is the Best Time to Call on an Attorney?
You are not required to work with a Texas CPA license defense attorney to defend yourself against accusations of professional misconduct. That said, working with an attorney can make the process of protecting your practice simpler and much more effective. Lawyers are trained in what the law requires and are skilled advocates who know how to argue aggressively to protect your license. When, then, should you contact a lawyer if you’re interested in professional representation?
If the TSBPA receives a complaint regarding your professional practice, it will recommend you undergo either the peer review process or an investigation. Working with an attorney during these early stages can make it easier for you to respond to the accusations leveled against you while communicating with the Board and increases the effectiveness of that response and the potential for a positive outcome that keeps your license intact.
If the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) opts to move a case against you forward, you have 30 days to respond to the investigative notice sent to you. You must, in that time, bring together the evidence needed to defend against another party’s claims of misconduct. Our team can help you build an aggressive defense to protect your license and work within the Board’s applicable deadlines.
In other words, the sooner you can contact a CPA license defense lawyer, the more effective your efforts to sustain your practice may be.
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What to Expect from Attorneys Throughout a License Defense
Our representation extends beyond an investigation and peer review process. If you’re facing accusations of professional misconduct, you can count on our CPA license defense lawyers to help you better understand the proceedings relevant to the defense of your license. This can include:
- Responding to an initial complaint
- Helping you understand and overcome issues with compliance
- Investigating the accusations brought against you
- Helping you develop evidence and witnesses to fight back against the accusations
- Preparing you for and representing you throughout administrative meetings
- Proposing resolutions to limit the consequences affiliated with alleged misconduct
- Facilitating settlement conversations with applicable parties
Our team has helped hundreds of professionals like you protect their right to practice in Texas. You can count on our team to continually prioritize your right to the best possible outcome for a disciplinary matter. We fight aggressively to protect your license, share with you the range of options available for your defense, do not settle cases prematurely, and keep you up-to-date as our strategy evolves.
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Let Our Team Defend Your Right to Work
The parties that bring professional complaints forward to TSBPA may submit false allegations about your practices for their own benefit or in retaliation. Don’t let wrongful accusations rob you of your right to practice. You can schedule a free case evaluation with the Texas professional license defense lawyers with Bertolino LLP to protect your livelihood.
Contact our CPA and tax license defense lawyers online or by phone to learn more about the representation we can offer you.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
