WAC 4-25-622   When must a CPA or CPA firm be independent?  When performing attest services, CPAs and CPA firms are responsible for maintaining independence so that attest opinions, reports, conclusions, and judgments will be impartial and viewed as impartial by parties expected to rely on the attest report. CPAs and CPA firms are required:

     • To comply with all applicable independence rules, regulations, and the AICPA code of conduct as referenced in and required by WAC 4-25-631; and

     • To decline attest engagements where the CPA or CPA firm has a relationship that could lead a reasonable and foreseeable user to conclude that the CPA or CPA firm is not independent.

     Independence is not required when performing a compilation engagement provided the CPA's report discloses a lack of independence.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055(2). 03-24-034, § 4-25-622, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03; 98-12-049, § 4-25-622, filed 5/29/98, effective 6/29/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.40.055 [18.04.055]. 93-22-046, § 4-25-622, filed 10/28/93, effective 11/28/93.]