In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct against a Member has agreed to the voluntarily suspension of his membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) and the practice licence issued to him by CPABC for a period of four months, commencing on November 28, 2019.
The professional misconduct alleged against the Member includes various breaches of the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (one of CPABC’s predecessor entities) and the CPA Code of Professional Conduct, including signing an audit report containing inaccuracies, lacking objectivity and independence while performing an audit, and carrying on public practice with a non‑member.
The Member has also agreed to pay $3,300.00 towards CPABC’s costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
During the four month period of the suspension of membership in CPABC and 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”, “CGA”, “CPA, CGA”, or “PA”, imply, suggest, or hold out that he is a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant, or engage in providing or offering to provide public accounting services or other regulated services to the public.
John Scott Adams of Kelowna, British Columbia voluntarily resigned his membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) on November 30, 2018. Despite the resignation of Mr. Adams’ membership in CPABC, CPABC initiated disciplinary proceedings against him alleging numerous breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct, including committing fraud and preparing false financial statements to cover it up.
In order to resolve the disciplinary proceedings, Mr. Adams has (among other things) undertaken not to ever apply for readmission to membership in CPABC.
As Mr. Adams is no longer a member of CPABC, he cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CA”, “CPA, CA”, or “PA”, or imply, suggest, or hold out that he is a Chartered Professional Accountant or Professional Accountant.
In order to resolve a disciplinary proceeding before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged professional misconduct, a Member has agreed to the voluntary suspension of membership in the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (“CPABC”) for a period of 12 months, commencing on February 14, 2019.
The professional misconduct alleged against the Member involves various breaches of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct and the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (one of CPABC’s predecessor entities), including deliberately and repeatedly lying under oath in divorce proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in which the Member was personally involved, tendering knowingly false witnesses in an attempt to deceive the court, and tampering with documents which the court ordered to be produced during the course of the proceedings, all for the purpose of achieving a litigation result which was favourable to the Member. The Member does not admit to these allegations.
The Member has also agreed to pay $1,000.00 towards CPABC’s costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
During the 12- month period of the suspension, the Member cannot use or display the designations “Chartered Professional Accountant”, “Chartered Accountant”, or “Professional Accountant”, the initials “CPA”, “CA”, “CPA, CA”, or “PA”, imply, suggest, or hold out that they are a Chartered Professional Accountant or a Professional Accountant, or engage in providing or offering to provide public accounting services or other regulated services to the public.