STAND. COM. REP. NO.752

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1313

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1313 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE AS A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Board of Public Accountancy to accept computer-based testing.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Board of Accountancy, and a certified public accountant submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Hawaii Association of Public Accountants, Niwao & Roberts, Taketa, Iwata, Hara & Associates, LLP, and the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants submitted testimony in support of the measure with suggested amendments.

Your Committee finds that the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is expected to launch a computer-based licensing examination in the spring of 2004. With computer-based testing, the examination will change from a written to electronic format, and the administration of the examination will change from twice annually, in May and November, to a more flexible schedule of up to four times in twelve months. Your Committee believes that this change will, therefore, allow the Board to utilize current technology and provide more opportunities for accountants to become licensed.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1313 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair