Event Description

South Carolina CPAs operate within a detailed framework of statutes, regulations, professional standards, and ethical obligations. Knowing the rules is essential—but understanding how they apply in practice is what helps professionals recognize risk, make sound decisions, and maintain compliance.

This two-hour ethics course provides a practical review of the South Carolina statutes and Board of Accountancy regulations governing the practice of accounting. Participants will examine the responsibilities imposed on individual licensees and firms, including professional standards, confidentiality and client records, continuing professional education, peer review, firm ownership and registration, mobility, and the conduct that can lead to disciplinary action.

The program also addresses significant recent changes affecting South Carolina practice, including updated licensure and experience requirements, practice privileges, firm ownership provisions, and the 2026 revisions to the state’s CPE regulations.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the public-interest purpose of South Carolina’s accountancy laws and the authority of the South Carolina Board of Accountancy.
2. Distinguish between statutory requirements and Board regulations and identify the controlling authority for common professional and ethical issues.
3. Apply South Carolina requirements governing CPA licensure, firm registration, ownership, firm names, and the use of professional titles.
4. Recognize and apply professional conduct requirements, including applicable professional standards, the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and acts considered discreditable to the profession.
5. Apply South Carolina’s confidentiality and client-record requirements, including the rules governing ownership, retention, disclosure, and return of records.
6. Determine applicable CPE and annual ethics requirements, including acceptable forms of credit, documentation and retention requirements, carryover limitations, and the 2026 CPE rule changes.
7. Explain the requirements for peer review, reciprocity, and practice privileges for individuals and firms practicing across state lines.
8. Recognize conduct that may result in Board investigation or discipline and describe the investigation, hearing, enforcement, and sanctions processes applicable to South Carolina licensees and firms.