Kansas Board of Accountancy approves multiple consent orders, fines and conditional waiver

At its Aug. 23, 2024 meeting the Kansas Board of Accountancy approved multiple stipulations and consent orders resolving investigations into unregistered practice, failure to complete peer review, permit renewal failures and a fictitious name registration violation.

Aron Dunn, CPA, chair of the Board, presided. The Board approved the Consent Calendar and ratified core CPA exam pass scores for April 1–May 25, 2024. Applicant Caleb Dykes appeared virtually and the Board granted a waiver of the second business law course under K.A.R. 74-2-7(h) based on his work experience and related coursework.

On disciplinary matters the Board approved a Stipulation and Consent Order for Tiffany Marie Genrich and TMG Financial Services, LLC finding the firm engaged in practice without a valid firm registration and that Genrich engaged in conduct reflecting adversely on her fitness to practice. The order requires appearance before the Board, a $500 fine, payment of costs under K.S.A. 1-206, approval of the firm registration and censure. Investigator Trina Harmon did not participate in that decision.

The Board approved a similar Stipulation and Consent Order for Teresa F. Lodes after finding she failed to maintain renewal requirements; the terms include a $500 fine, reimbursement of costs under K.S.A. 1-206, completion of 36.5 hours of continuing professional education and censure. Investigator Julie Wondra did not participate in that matter.

Mendus & Associates, P.C. was subject to a Stipulation and Consent Order requiring the firm to appear before the Board, pay a $1,000 fine and costs, be censured, and provide Board access to the firm’s Peer Review documents in PRIMA while holding a Kansas firm registration. Peggy Smith appeared virtually on behalf of the firm; the investigator recused where noted.

The Board approved a Stipulation and Consent Order for Diana L. Miller, CPA, finding she failed to register a fictitious professional name; terms include a $3,500 fine, reimbursement of costs under K.S.A. 1-206, approval of the fictitious name application, and censure.

Novogradac & Company, LLP was found to have practiced without a valid firm registration; the Board approved a Stipulation and Consent Order requiring appearance before the Board, a $50,000 fine, reimbursement of costs under K.S.A. 1-206, approval of a firm registration and censure. Stefanie Singer, general counsel to the firm, and counsel Joel Krieger appeared virtually for Novogradac. The investigator assigned to that matter did not participate in the Board’s vote where recusal was recorded.

Separately, the Board recorded a summary order regarding Marcus J. Jamison and Metaccount, LLC: voluntary surrender of Jamison’s CPA certificate and permit in lieu of disciplinary action, treated as revocation for all purposes, an administrative fine of $750, and denial of the firm registration application for Metaccount, LLC; respondents were censured and ordered to pay costs under K.S.A. 1-206. No Board action was required at the meeting for that summary order.

The meeting minutes note recusals where investigators had been assigned to matters and that motions to approve the various stipulations were moved and seconded as recorded in the minutes. Where the Board required conditions (for example, a conditional peer-review waiver described below) staff were given deadlines to return evidence to the Board.

The Board directed staff follow-up where required: Melea Banman’s peer-review waiver was approved conditionally (see separate item) and the Board set a requirement that proof of client notice and acceptance be returned by Oct. 20, 2024 for review at the Oct. 25, 2024 meeting. The Board adjourned after completing business.

Next steps: the Board will review required proof and documentation on conditional waivers at its Oct. 25, 2024 meeting; staff will send letters in September to CPAs found in expired status where there is evidence of continued practice without a permit.