In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct, the Member has agreed to voluntarily suspend their membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) and the practice licence issued to them by CPABC for a period of one year, commencing on December 1, 2018.
The professional misconduct alleged against the Member includes breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (one of CPABC’s predecessors), including:
- engaging in the practice of public accounting while not licensed to do so;
- depositing a client’s tax refund into the Member’s chequing account;
- charging unreasonable professional fees;
- using real property owned jointly with a client as collateral for a personal mortgage without the knowledge or consent of the client; and
- failing to complete a review engagement.
The Member has not admitted to allegations 2 to 5 that CPABC has made against them.
The Member also agreed to pay $9,100.00 towards CPABC’s costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
During the one year period of the voluntary suspension of membership in CPABC and the practice licence issued by CPABC, the Member cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Certified General Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CPA, CGA”, or “PA”, or imply, suggest, or hold out that they are a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant.
In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning professional misconduct which has been admitted to by Lisa Marrello of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Ms. Marrello has agreed to voluntarily relinquish her membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”), effective November 29, 2018.
The professional misconduct Ms. Marrello has admitted to involves various breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct, including instances of fraud against a former employer while she was employed in a position of trust and confidence.
As Ms. Marrello is no longer a member of CPABC, she cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CA”, “CPA, CA”, or “PA”, or in any manner imply, suggest, or hold out that she is a professional accountant or is a person entitled to use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”.
In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct against him, Dennis Petke of Vancouver, British Columbia has agreed to voluntarily suspend his membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) for a period of nine (9) months.
The professional misconduct alleged against Mr. Petke involves various breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (one of CPABC’s predecessors), including engaging in the practice of public accounting while not licensed or insured to do so, failing to obtain a professional accounting corporation permit, breaching confidentiality, conduct unbecoming a member, and failing to maintain the good reputation of the profession.
Mr. Petke has also agreed to pay partial costs towards CPABC’s costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
During the nine (9) month period of the voluntary suspension of his membership in CPABC, Mr. Petke cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CPA, CA”, or “PA”, or imply, suggest, or hold out that he is a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant.
In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct while a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia "(“ICABC”), the member has agreed that their membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) will be voluntarily suspended until August 29, 2018.
The professional misconduct alleged against the member includes breaches of ICABC’s Rules of Professional Conduct and the CPA Code of Professional Conduct relating to a conviction for the criminal offence of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, in circumstances where the member was driving at approximately 100 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit while having a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit specified in the Criminal Code. The member has admitted these allegations.
As a suspended member of CPABC, the member cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CPA, CA”, or “PA”, or imply, suggest, or hold out that they are a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant.
In the face of a pending disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct, Verne J. Burden of Sooke, British Columbia resigned his membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) on August 29, 2017.
The professional misconduct alleged against Mr. Burden includes breaches of CPABC’s Code of Professional Conduct, including misappropriating funds from a client of the firm, and misappropriating revenue and capital from the firm. Mr. Burden has not admitted to these allegations.
As Mr. Burden is no longer a member of CPABC, he cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Certified General Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CPA, CGA”, or “PA”, or in any matter imply, suggest, or hold out that he is a Chartered Professional Accountant or Professional Accountant.