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News Releases
August 08, 2009
CPAs say new law gives more flexibilityBY JERRY SIEBENMARK
The Wichita Eagle
On the face of it, a new Kansas law that takes effect Nov. 1 might seem to rub certified public accountants here the wrong way.
But two CPA leaders said Friday that they welcome the law that will allow out-of-state CPAs to come here and do business without having to register themselves or seek a Kansas permit to practice.
The "practice mobility law" grants practice privileges to out-of-state CPAs who have a valid permit to practice from the state where their business is.
The law also makes Kansas the 37th state to allow practice mobility. Those states include Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma, according to the Kansas Board of Accountancy.
"From a practitioner standpoint, we see it as a huge plus," said Kurt Siemers, CEO of Kennedy and Coe, a Salina-based regional accounting and consulting firm. "It (the new law) eliminates a lot of paperwork."
From a practical standpoint, the enactment of the "practice mobility law" means Kennedy and Coe won't have to bother with licensing and registration fees and paperwork if it brings in one of its Colorado-based CPAs to do some work in Kansas.
Yes, it does make it easier for competitors to do business in Kansas, Siemers and others said.
But "being in Kansas we've got a competitive advantage here," he said. "We don't need legislation protecting us from someone in Missouri."
Jarod Allerheiligen, Wichita office managing partner at Grant Thornton, said the fact that practice mobility will soon be taking effect in Kansas is "outstanding news" and "it's overdue."
"The regulatory and registration process takes time and money," he said, ultimately slowing the process of commerce.
"This is a global marketplace," Allerheiligen said. "CPAs need to be able to work (unfettered) around the world."
Reach Jerry Siebenmark at 316-268-6576 or jsiebenmark@wichitaeagle.com.
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