Arizona § 32-747 - CPA designation; title; use; unlawful use

§ 32-747. CPA designation; title; use; unlawful use

A. A registrant or an individual or firm that qualifies for the limited reciprocity privilege under section 32-725 shall be known as a certified public accountant or certified public accounting firm and may use the CPA designation with the exact name as registered with the board unless the status of the registrant, individual or firm is canceled, expired, suspended, relinquished or revoked.

B. An individual or firm when referring to accounting or accounting practices shall not assume or use the CPA designation unless the individual or firm is qualified pursuant to subsection A of this section.

C. This section does not apply to or affect or limit the right to continuous use of a firm name, or a modification of a firm name, by successor firms formed by the remaining owner or owners or added owner or owners even though the individuals whose names are included in the firm name are not owners, but the successor firm shall conform to all other provisions of this chapter. This section does not apply to or affect or limit the right to continuous use of a professional corporation's name as provided pursuant to this chapter or title 10, chapter 20 or a professional limited liability company's name pursuant to this chapter or title 29.

D. The displaying or uttering by a registrant or an individual or firm that qualifies for the limited reciprocity privilege under section 32-725 of any card, sign, advertisement or other printed, engraved or written instrument or device bearing a name and intended to be confused with the CPA designation is prima facie evidence in a prosecution, proceeding or hearing brought under this section that the registrant, individual or firm so displayed caused or procured the displaying or uttering of the card, sign, advertisement or other printed, engraved or written instrument or device.

E. A firm may not refer to itself as a CPA firm unless it has a simple majority of the ownership, in terms of direct and indirect financial interests and voting rights, that belongs to holders in good standing of certificates or licenses as certified public accountants in any jurisdiction.