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326A.02 STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY.
    Subdivision 1. Board. A Board of Accountancy is created to carry out the purposes and
enforce the provisions of this chapter. It consists of nine citizens of this state appointed by
the governor. Two must be public members as defined by section 214.02, and seven must be
certified public accountants under the provisions of this chapter. Effective January 1, 2003, no
fewer than five of the certified public accountants must be owners or employees of a CPA firm
that holds a current permit and provides professional services at the time of appointment and
reappointment. At least two of the seven certified public accountants at the time of appointment
and reappointment must be owners or employees of a CPA firm that:
(1) holds a current permit;
(2) provides professional services; and
(3) consists of ten or fewer certified public accountants.
    Subd. 2. Membership conditions. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal
of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements are as
provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09. The provision of staff, administrative services, and office
space; the review and processing of complaints; the setting of board fees; and other provisions
relating to board operations shall be as provided in this chapter and chapter 214.
Any member of the board whose certificate under section 326A.04 is revoked or suspended
automatically ceases to be a member of the board.
    Subd. 3. Officers; proceedings. The board shall elect one of its number as chair, another as
vice-chair, and another as secretary and treasurer. The officers shall hold their respective offices
for a term of one year and until their successors are elected. The affirmative vote of a majority of
the qualified members of the board is considered the action of the board. The board shall meet at
such times and places as may be fixed by the board. Meetings of the board are subject to chapter
13D. A majority of the board members then in office constitutes a quorum at any meeting duly
called. The board shall have a seal, which must be judicially noticed. The board shall retain or
arrange for the retention of all applications and all documents under oath that are filed with
the board and also records of its proceedings, and it shall maintain a registry of the names and
addresses of all licensees and registrants under this chapter. In any proceeding in court, civil or
criminal, arising out of or founded upon any provision of this chapter, copies of records of the
proceeding certified as true copies under the seal of the boards shall be admissible in evidence as
tending to prove the contents of the records.
    Subd. 4. Powers. The board may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses
and the production of documents, to administer oaths, to take testimony, to cooperate with the
appropriate authorities in other states in investigation and enforcement concerning violations of
this chapter and comparable acts of other states, and to receive evidence concerning all matters
within the scope of this chapter. In case of disobedience of a subpoena, the board may invoke
the aid of any court in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production
of documentary evidence. The board, its members, and its agents are immune from personal
liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the board's responsibilities, and the
state shall hold the board, its members, and its agents harmless from all costs, damages, and
attorneys fees arising from claims and suits against them with respect to matters to which such
immunity applies. The board shall enforce the standard of general education, the standard of
special education in the science and art of accounting, and the standard of good character and
general experience, as prescribed in this chapter.
    Subd. 5. Rules. The board may adopt rules governing its administration and enforcement of
this chapter and the conduct of licensees and persons registered under section 326A.06, paragraph
(b)
, including:
(1) rules governing the board's meetings and the conduct of its business;
(2) rules of procedure governing the conduct of investigations and hearings and discipline by
the board;
(3) rules specifying the educational and experience qualifications required for the issuance of
certificates and the continuing professional education required for renewal of certificates;
(4) rules of professional conduct directed to controlling the quality and probity of services
by licensees, and dealing among other things with independence, integrity, and objectivity;
competence and technical standards; and responsibilities to the public and to clients;
(5) rules governing the professional standards applicable to licensees including adoption of
the statements on standards specified in section 326A.01, subdivision 2, and as developed for
general application by recognized national accountancy organizations such as the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants;
(6) rules governing the manner and circumstances of use of the titles "certified public
accountant," "CPA," "registered accounting practitioner," and "RAP";
(7) rules regarding peer review that may be required to be performed under provisions
of this chapter;
(8) rules on substantial equivalence to implement section 326A.14;
(9) rules regarding the conduct of the certified public accountant examination;
(10) rules regarding the issuance and renewals of certificates, permits, and registrations;
(11) rules regarding transition provisions to implement this chapter;
(12) rules specifying the educational and experience qualifications for registration, rules
of professional conduct, rules regarding peer review, rules governing standards for providing
services, and rules regarding the conduct and content of examination for those persons registered
under section 326A.06, paragraph (b); and
(13) rules regarding fees for examinations, certificate issuance and renewal, firm permits,
registrations under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), notifications made under section 326A.14,
and late processing fees.
    Subd. 6. Complaint committee. The board shall establish a complaint committee to
investigate, mediate, or initiate administrative or legal proceedings on behalf of the board with
respect to complaints filed with or information received by the board alleging or indicating
violations of this chapter. The complaint committee shall consist of three members of the board.
    Subd. 7. Expenses of administration. The expenses of administering this chapter must be
paid from appropriations made to the board.
History: 2001 c 109 art 1 s 4

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes