You need to hire a CPA license defense lawyer as soon as you receive notice from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) that an accusation has been made against you. Failure to get started on your case ASAP could lead to issues that make defending your license extremely difficult.
Reach out to a Texas CPA license defense lawyer today to get the help you need to protect your career and livelihood. An attorney can help you respond to the complaint letter you’ve received and mount a strong defense on your behalf. Let’s take a closer look at when you should hire a defense lawyer and how an attorney can help win your case.
When You Should Hire a CPA License Defense Lawyer
As mentioned above, you need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA) license defense lawyer as soon as you find out that a complaint has been filed against you. However, there are many reasons why someone may have filed a complaint against you.
Learning more about which accusations can spark a Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) investigation can be helpful. There are many reasons why your license may be under investigation. You’ll want to hire a CPA license defense lawyer immediately if you’ve received notices that one of the following accusations has been made against you:
- Violation of TSBPA rules
- Fraud or deceit during the CPA license application process
- Aiding and abetting an unlicensed practice
- Negligence
- Incompetence
- Professional misconduct
- Conviction of a crime related to your CPA duties
Consequences You’ll Likely Face if You don’t Hire a CPA License Defense Lawyer
If you wait too long to hire a CPA license defense lawyer or choose not to hire one at all, it will be very difficult for you to combat the accusations that have been made against you. Without the necessary legal experience and resources, you’ll likely make a mistake at some point during your case that leads to a serious punishment like license suspension.
License suspension isn’t the only consequence you could face without the assistance of a skilled attorney. Without a lawyer, you’ll likely suffer one or more of the following penalties:
- Probation
- Reprimand
- Revocation of a certificate, firm license, or practice privilege
- Suspension of a certificate, firm license, practice privilege, or license for up to five years
- Limitations the scope of your practice
- Administrative penalty
- Required peer review program
- Required continuing education program
- Required to pay administrative costs of the disciplinary proceedings
In addition to these penalties, you may also be required to pay fines. According to the Texas Occupations Code § 901.552, the amount you must pay will be determined by the severity of your violation, the economic damage you’ve caused, your history of previous violations, and several other factors.
How a CPA License Defense Lawyer Can Help You Avoid Penalties
Fines, license suspensions, and other unwanted consequences can impact your finances, hurt your career, and even damage your reputation. To avoid these negative outcomes, you need to hire a CPA license defense lawyer as soon as you find out a complaint has been made against you.
Enlisting the services of a skilled CPA license defense attorney soon will give them the time they need to investigate the allegations made against you and build a strong defense on your behalf. Here’s what a dedicated lawyer can do to protect your license, career, and livelihood:
- Investigate the accusations made against you
- Gather evidence such as witness testimony, financial records, and other documents
- Analyze evidence and use it to construct a strong defense
- Represent you during hearings and disciplinary proceedings
- Fight to protect your license from suspension, revocation, and other unwanted consequences
- Provide sound legal advice and regular updates throughout your case
Click to contact our professional license defense lawyers today
Responding to the CPA License Investigation Letter
If you’ve received a letter from the TSBPA informing you that your license is under investigation due to a complaint that was filed against you, you have the right to respond to the letter. Your response should speak to your side of the story and include evidence that challenges the allegations you’re facing.
It’s important to note that you should not draft your response letter without the help of an attorney. Without a lawyer’s guidance, you may include something in your response letter that can be used against you. A knowledgeable lawyer can make sure your response is worded correctly, giving you the best chance possible at avoiding serious consequences.
Complete a Case Evaluation form now
Hire a CPA License Defense Lawyer Today
You need to hire a CPA license defense lawyer if you’ve received notice that a complaint has been made against you. However, it can be hard to find an attorney who has the experience and commitment to win your case. At Bertolino LLP, our highly experienced team has handled cases like yours since 2007.
Our firm has the resources and legal knowledge required to mount a strong defense on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a CPA license defense lawyer and learn more about how we can help you. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form