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When is it necessary for a business organization of Certified Public Accountants or Public Accountants to register with the Oregon Board of Accountancy?


EXPLANATION: "Business organization" includes any form of business organization authorized by law, including a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, professional corporation, limited liability company and limited liability partnership. The requirements to register as a business organization in the practice of public accountancy in Oregon are described in ORS 673.160 and OAR 801-010-0345.
 
Business organizations of certified public accountants and public accountants are required to register with the Board of Accountancy if they meet any of the following criteria:

  •     Use of the terms "certified public accountant" or "public accountant" or any abbreviation for such terms;
  •     Holding out to the public as being engaged in the practice of public accounting in Oregon
  •     Holds out to clients or the public that it is comprised of more than one licensee; or
  •     Performing attestation or compilation services.


A licensee performing public accounting services as a sole proprietor is required to register with the Board of Accountancy as a public accounting firm if the business organization engages in any attestation or compilation work.
 
If you determine that the business organization or public accounting practice is required to be registered with the Board, complete and return the firm registration form with the registration fee of $265, which is payable by check, MasterCard or Visa. Include a copy of the current registration, if any, that is required to be filed with the Corporation Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, including assumed business name registration, if applicable.
 
Firm registrations expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
 
Holding out to the public as a public accounting firm without a valid registration is a violation of ORS 673.160 and OAR 801-010-0345.



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