§ 54.1-4425 Time for filing complaints against CPAs or CPA firms
A. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B and C, any complaint against the holder of a Virginia license for any violation of statutes or regulations pertaining to the Board or any of the programs that may be in another title of the Code for which the Board has enforcement responsibility, in order to be investigated by the Board, shall be made in writing, or otherwise made in accordance with Board procedures, and received by the Board within five years of the act, omission, or occurrence giving rise to the violation.
B. However, where a holder of a Virginia license has materially and willfully misrepresented, concealed, or omitted any information and the information so misrepresented, concealed, or omitted is material to the establishment of the violation, the complaint may be made at any time within two years after discovery of the misrepresentation, concealment, or omission.
C. In cases where criminal charges have been filed involving matters that, if found to be true, would also constitute a violation of the regulations or laws of the regulant’s profession enforced by the Board, an investigation may be initiated by the Board at any time within five years following the date of conviction.
D. In order to be investigated by the Board, any complaint against an individual or firm using the CPA title in Virginia under the practice privilege provisions of § 54.1-4411 or against a firm or entity providing attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services under subsection C of § 54.1-4412.1 for any violation of statutes or regulations pertaining to the Board or any of the programs that may be in another title of this Code for which the Board has enforcement responsibility shall be made in writing, or otherwise made in accordance with Board procedures, and received by the Board within five years of the act, omission, or occurrence giving rise to the violation.
E. Public information obtained from any source may serve as the basis for a written complaint. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the filing of a complaint if the alleged violation of the statute or regulation is discovered during an investigation authorized by law, and the acts, omissions, or conditions constituting the alleged violations are witnessed by a sworn investigator appointed by the Executive Director.
F. Nothing herein shall deny the right of any party to bring a civil cause of action in a court of law.
History
This law was first created in 2013. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 297 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2017, chapter 403; in 2024, chapters 654 and 677; in 2025, chapters 523 and 539.
2013, c. 297; 2017, c. 403; 2024, cc. 654, 677; 2025, cc. 523, 539.