<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Humanist;
panose-1:2 0 5 4 3 0 0 2 0 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:Humanist;
color:#1F3864;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Dear Licensees, Applicants and Candidates of the Oregon Board of Accountancy,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">It is my pleasure to write to all of you with an important opportunity to comment on proposed administrative rules of the Board of Accountancy (Board), including a related update on a
very successful 2015 Oregon Legislative Session for the Board. In essence, the proposed rules related to two key bills, fee increases for the Board (SB 581) and an update to Board statutes (SB 272) that includes an updated definition of attest. The proposed
rules and the statutory changes referred to are the product of a consensus developed in many consultations with our stakeholders, including OSCPA and OAIA, continuing since Fall 2013.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">These discussions led to a consensus that broad-based fee increases were necessary for the profession. For the Board this includes fees set by statute, and changed by SB 581 (increase
of individual renewal fee from $160 to $255) and increase of the firm registration renewal fee (from $175 to $265). OSCPA took the lead on these changes and carried that bill through the 2015 session – really an amazing show of support from the profession
for the Board, and one that was very well received by legislators as well. The Board is very grateful, including for the on-going support of the profession for the commensurate fee increase proposal of similar size set by rule, now proposed in this round
of rulemaking. Please refer for further details to the links below for SB 581 and proposed rules with explanations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">The other main driver for the proposed rules is passage of SB 272. This bill included changes in the definition of attest which were necessary to address the broader scope of assurance
services that have become part of CPA practice and were not contemplated in the original definition of attest. There is public protection component here as well as this new law is also designed to prevent non-CPAs from using CPA standards language such as
the Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) and represent to consumers that they have followed those standards, in essence implying training and accountability in standards that are exclusive to the CPA profession – when no such accountability or oversight
for non-CPAs exists. The proposed rules ensure this update is reflected at the level of rule as well, and makes other changes in definitions to ensure rules and statutes line up correctly.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">The high-level summary above is not intended as a replacement for you to review the proposed rules, which are broader than just the highlights above. The Board is again using an improved
format to present the proposed rules to you, which includes specific explanations for the changes.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">The written comment period closes on September 24, 2015 at 5:00 p.m., and oral comment can be provided at the Board offices in Salem at 2:00 p.m. on September 17, 2015, at a formal Rulemaking
Hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Please refer to the following background documents under the following links for further information on your opportunity to comment, the proposed rules, and the supporting documentation
for SB 272 and SB 581 referred to above. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.oregon.gov/boa/docs/Proposed_Rule_Changes_in_Legislative_Format.pdf">Proposed Rules with Explanations</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/boa/docs/SOS%20Filing%20Notice_Fiscal.pdf">Notice of Rulemaking Hearing with Statement of Fiscal Impact</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><a href="https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB272">Background Materials on SB 272 (2015)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><a href="https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB581">Background materials on SB 581 (2015)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">The Board is scheduled to meet by conference call on September 30, 2015 to review the comment record and determine what final version of the proposed rules should be adopted. Fee increases
proposed by rule are currently planned to take effect as early as October 1, 2015, pending final decision by the Board on September 30, 2015. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Thank you for time in reviewing this e-mail and consideration of this information.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Martin Pittioni</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Board of Accountancy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">3218 Pringle Rd SE, Suite 110<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Salem, OR 97302-6307<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Phone: (503)378-2280<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Fax: (503)378-3575<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><a href="mailto:martin.w.pittioni@oregon.gov">martin.w.pittioni@oregon.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/BOA">www.oregon.gov/BOA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist;color:#548235">Follow us on twitter:
<a href="https://twitter.com/oregon_boa"><span style="color:#548235">@oregon_boa</span></a>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist;color:#548235">Connect with us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oregon-Board-of-Accountancy/338412629690288"><span style="color:#548235">Oregon Board of Accountancy</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Humanist">Let us know how we are doing by taking this quick survey:
<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ORBOA">https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ORBOA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>