Ohio Accountancy Board asks committee to preserve self-funded licensing model

The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee heard testimony from the Ohio Accountancy Board on funding needs for the agency during an informal second hearing on Sub. H.B. 96.

Donna Ocklock, executive director of the Accountancy Board, told the committee the board "is totally funded by fees for applicants and from our licensees. We are self sustaining and spend no money from the General Revenue Fund." She said the board oversees nearly 30,000 current CPA and public accountant licenses and more than 2,400 CPA firm registrations.

The board said a large share of Ohio's CPAs are over age 50 and that retirements and attrition are beginning to reduce revenue. Ocklock testified the board has requested an update to its 1992 licensing statute to permit fees to be set by rule, which the board says would allow "incremental license fees" to keep operational revenue at current levels and protect the board's financial health.

Ocklock also described the board's CPA Support and Education Fund, paid by a licensing surcharge, that has underwritten scholarships, exam-prep courses and accounting career programs. She noted the board's engagement with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and with the Ohio Society of CPAs.

The board closed by asking the committee to approve the biennial budget request at the levels submitted. There were no committee questions for the witness during the hearing.

Less-critical details: the board reported a nine-member board and nine full-time staff, and said it maintains one of the lowest average license fees of any state.