The State Senate and Assembly passed legislation on June 16 that would exempt certified public accountants in New York from having to register as private investigators when performing forensic accounting work.
The
legislation would provide an exemption to CPAs when they are engaged in the practice of public accountancy as defined by state law, similar to the one already provided to attorneys. As currently written, New York state’s private investigator registration requirements could be interpreted to read that CPAs performing forensic accounting work would also need to register as private investigators.
The legislation was spearheaded by the NYSSCPA and sponsored by State Senator Michael Venditto (R - Massapequa) and State Assemblymember Robin Schimminger (D - Kenmore), both of whom have been responsive to the Society's outreach. It now heads to Governor Andrew Cuomo's desk for his signature prior to enactment.
The NYSSCPA Board of Directors included this item on the organization's legislative agenda last September as a proactive measure, to avoid the problems experienced by CPAs in other states that have similarly broad private investigator registration requirements.
For more information on this and other NYSSCPA Government Affairs programs, visit
nysscpa.org/advocacy.