SECTION 10:15-39-8.1. Firm names  


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  • (a)   A firm name may not contain words, abbreviations or other language that is misleading to the public or that may cause confusion to the public as to the legal form or ownership of the firm.
    (b)   A firm licensed by the Board may not conduct business, perform or offer to perform services for or provide products to a client under a name other than the name in which the firm is licensed.
    (c)   A word, abbreviation or other language is presumed to be misleading if it:
    (1)   is a trade name or assumed name that does not comply with paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this subsection;
    (2)   states or implies the quality of services offered, special expertise, expectation as to outcomes or favorable results, or geographic area of service;
    (3)   includes the name of a non-owner of the firm;
    (4)   includes the name of a non-CPA;
    (5)   states or implies educational or professional attainment not supported in fact;
    (6)   states or implies licensing recognition for the firm or any of its owners not supported in fact; or
    (7)   includes a designation such as "and company," "company," "associates," "and associates," "group," or abbreviations thereof or similar designations implying that the firm has more than one employed registrant unless there are at least two employed registrants involved in the practice. Independent contractors are not considered employees under this subsection.
    (d)   A word, abbreviation or other language is presumed not misleading if it:
    (1)   is the name, surname, or initials of one or more current or former CPA owners of the firm, its predecessor firm or successor firm;
    (2)   is the name, surname, or initials of one or more current or former international practitioner owners of the firm, its predecessor firm or successor firm who are or would have been eligible to practice public accountancy in this state;
    (3)   indicates the legal organization of the firm; or
    (4)   states or implies a limitation on the type of service offered by the firm, such as "tax," "audit" or "investment advisory services," provided the firm in fact principally limits its practice to the type of service indicated in the name.
    (e)   A registrant who is a sole proprietor, and not incorporated, who is engaged in the practice of public accounting must comply with 1 and 2 of this subsection:
    (1)   The registrant shall be allowed to use and employ the designation "d/b/a" with a business name provided the sole proprietor's name is included in the name of the business. No registrant shall use a misleading business name; and
    (2)   A partner surviving the death of all other partners may continue to practice under the partnership name for up to two years after becoming a sole proprietor.
    (f)   The name of any current or former owner may not be used in a firm name during any period when such owner is prohibited from practicing public accountancy and prohibited from using the title "certified public accountant," "public accountant" or any abbreviation thereof.
    (g)   This section regarding firm names does not affect firms licensed by the Board prior to the effective date of this section, but does apply to any change in legal organization or name that occurs after the effective date of this section.
    (h)   A firm licensed by the Board after the effective date of this section, whose name includes a designation implying that the firm has more than one employed registrant, as provided in Subsection (c)(7) above, may continue to practice under that name for up to two years from the date the firm no longer has more than one employed registrant.
[Source: Added at 27 Ok Reg 1690, eff 7-1-10]