CBA enforcement chief: 4,600 complaints, 2,000 citations in fiscal 2024–25

Enforcement Chief O'Connor told the California Board of Accountancy Enforcement Advisory Committee on Oct. 9 that the board received more than 4,600 complaints in fiscal year 2024–25 and issued just over 2,000 citations.

The report, covering fiscal year 2024–25, showed unlicensed activity remained the single largest complaint category and that enforcement closed roughly 5,900 cases during the year, with an average of 87 days to close an investigation and 98% of investigations closed within one year.

Why this matters: enforcement volume and citation patterns affect licensees across California and indicate where the board focuses investigative resources. The CBA’s handling of unlicensed activity, probation monitoring and referrals to the Attorney General’s office determine disciplinary outcomes and public protection measures.

Details from the report Enforcement Chief O'Connor said, “The activity report before you today covers the entire fiscal year for 20 24, 25. The CBA received over 4,600 complaints.” The report lists unlicensed activity as the top complaint type and shows the enforcement division closed more than 2,400 investigations specifically related to unlicensed activity during the year.

O'Connor reported the investigations inventory included about 440 pending investigations as of June 30, including two pending more than 24 months that were still being actively investigated. She said the average days to close an investigation was 87 days and that 98% of investigations closed within one year.

On discipline and legal referrals, the report recorded 26 matters referred to the Attorney General’s office, 34 pleadings filed, and 25 matters pending at the Attorney General’s office. The board took action on 28 final disciplinary orders during the fiscal year.

Citations and appeals The report shows just over 2,000 citations were issued in the fiscal year; Enforcement staff said 94% of those citations were linked to failure to meet a continuing education requirement originally adopted in 2012. The CBA received just under 250 citation-and-fine appeals; staff withdrew or modified 139 citations after appeals, most often because the licensee provided mitigating evidence or came into compliance.

Probation monitoring The enforcement report listed 51 licensees on probation, including three new probationers since the last report. Staff identified 24 probation violations during the reporting period, with the majority involving failure to submit required written quarterly reports.

Questions and clarifications raised at the meeting Committee members asked how “renewal deficiency” was defined and whether clerical transmission errors would trigger enforcement action; O'Connor said many such clerical issues would be handled by licensing staff and would not necessarily result in an enforcement case. A member asked about the apparent increase in matters pending 12–24 months at the Attorney General’s office; staff said that category can fluctuate and includes cases awaiting hearing dates.

A member asked when the 2012 continuing education rule took effect; staff stated she believed it originated in 2012 but did not provide a specific, confirmed date during the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve minutes of the 07/10/2025 Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting. Outcome: Approved (motion carried on roll call). Vote record (roll call): Jeff De Leiser — yes; Allen Gittleson — approve; Julio Aregida — approve; Laura Ross — approve; Jason Russell — approve; Robert Rule — approve; Ben Towne — approved; Michael Williams — approved.

What happens next The committee moved the meeting into closed session to review enforcement files after the public portion concluded. No further public actions were taken during the open session on enforcement matters.

Ending The enforcement report will return as a standing item for the committee; staff indicated some statistics will be refined and additional analysis may be presented at future meetings.