The Subcommittee on Government Administration met this afternoon.
Committee Hearing
House Bill 4088 updates code governing the education, examination, and experience requirements for certified public accountants. It enhances the ability for certification. Delegate Criss (R-Wood), the lead sponsor, said the bill is needed to address the declining number of CPAs in the state. The bill allows the path to CPA to begin sooner with a bachelor’s degree. The bill provides three paths to CPA: a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a bachelor’s degree with 30 credit hours completed in accounting, or a master’s degree in accounting. All paths require passing the CPA exam. If the applicant has a master’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, they only need 1 year of experience when applying for licensure, but within 30 completed hours, they must have 2 years of experience.
Virginia Slack, the president of the WV Board of Accountancy, said this is a nationwide initiative, and 20 states have already passed it. She said this bill opens a pathway for students to enter the career sooner, while still maintaining examination standards.
House Bill 4148 requires real estate salesperson applicants to submit proof of United States Citizenship to apply for licensure. Delegate Patrick Lucas (R-Cabell), the bill’s sponsor, said this came at the request of the Real Estate Commission. The delegate said he isn’t opposed to rewording the language to include anyone legally authorized to work in the United States. The intent of the bill is to ensure that the individual applying is legally in the United States and authorized to work, not just citizens.
