About us
The Board of Accountancy administers the state accounting law and regulations. It reviews the entrance qualifications of CPA candidates, annually registers accountants, monitors continuing education, operates a firm review program, and addresses consumer concerns. Virtually all Board records are open to the public, with no time limits (other than the record retention schedule). For records access, contact the Board office. The Board has five Governor-appointed
members, and a staff in Grand Forks.

Rule changes Ok'd

Various rule changes have been proposed by the State Board, and supported by the CPA Society. These changes were held over by the Administrative Rules Committee at their March 12 meeting. They were revisited in another meeting of the Committee, June 1. approved, will become effective July 1. For actual wording changes, see www.nd.gov/ndsba/changes2007.htm. 

Overview of rule changes:

The changes include an expansion of the peer review program, to include those firms performing compilation services. There will be a change in the accounting concentration, such that (effective January 1, 2010) the concentration will become 24 accounting plus 24 other business credits, but with Principles not counting in either section. The “other business” portion could include up to 3 credits of Economics. Fee changes were approved , making the late fee due date July 31 (instead of June 30),  allowing the Board to set fees up to a prescribed ceiling, and clarifying fees for substantial equivalency practice and grade transfers. The firm permit fee is changed to $10, and the $100 reinstatement fee sill be applicable for any type of re-activation. Board stipends will now have a yearly maximum of $2000. The rule changes call for adoption of the full AICPA Code of Ethics and elimination of most all existing North Dakota ethics regulations. As the peer review changes are implemented, the Board may eliminate its document review process, and instead use a “submission as directed” approach, and an oversight approach for the AICPA Peer Review Acceptance process.  

 In addition to these proposals, national changes are underway in how the profession regulates cross-border practice. The model is changing to one of local licensure coupled with seamless mobility around the rest of the nation – a driver’s license approach. These provisions will be proposed in the next Legislative Session – 2009.    … Jim Abbott