80 FR 32855 - Proceedings Before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Rules Relating to Suspension or Disbarment From Appearance and Practice
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 111 (June 10, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 111 (June 10, 2015)
| Page Range | 32855-32857 | |
| FR Document | 2015-14159 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 32855-32857] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-14159] ======================================================================== Rules and Regulations Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each week. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Rules and Regulations [[Page 32855]] COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION 17 CFR Part 14 RIN 3038-AE21 Proceedings Before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Rules Relating to Suspension or Disbarment From Appearance and Practice AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') amends its regulations to clarify the standard used for determining when an accountant has engaged in ``unethical or improper professional conduct''--grounds for a temporary or permanent denial of the privilege to practice before the Commission. The amendment enhances transparency by codifying the standard used in Commission adjudications of accountant conduct under the Commission's regulations. DATES: This rule is effective July 10, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Gizzarelli, Director, Office of Proceedings, (202) 418-5395, jgizzarelli@cftc.gov, Office of the Executive Director, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Part 14 of the Commission's regulations addresses the circumstances under which the Commission may deny attorneys and accountants, temporarily or permanently, the privilege of practicing their respective professions before it. Rule 14.8 specifically provides that the Commission, after notice and opportunity for a hearing and an adverse finding by a preponderance of the evidence, may bar an attorney or accountant found: (a) Not to possess the requisite qualifications to represent others; or (b) to be lacking in character or integrity; or (c) to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct either in the course of an adjudicatory, investigative, rulemaking, or other proceeding before the Commission or otherwise.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 17 CFR 14.8. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prior to this amendment, rule 14.8 did not further articulate what constitutes ``unethical or improper professional conduct'' by an accountant under paragraph (c). However, since 1996, the Commission has filed six administrative actions alleging violations of rule 14.8 against accountants appearing and practicing before it.\2\ In each case, the Commission accepted a settlement banning the defendants from practicing before it for a specified time period. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ In re Deloitte & Touche and Thomas Lux, CFTC Docket No. 96- 10, 1996 WL 547883 (CFTC September 25, 1996); In re Sherald Griffin, CPA & Donna Laubscher, CPA, CFTC Docket No. 98-12, 1998 WL 161709 (CFTC April 8, 1998); In re Anatoly Osadchy, CPA, CFTC Docket No. 99-2, 1998 WL 754637 (CFTC October 29, 1998); In re G. Victor Johnson and Altschuler, Melvoin & Glasser, LLP, CFTC Docket No. 04- 29, 2005 WL 1398672 (CFTC June 13, 2005); In re G. Victor Johnson II, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and Altshuler, Melvoin & Glasser, LLP, CFTC Docket No. 11-01, 2010 WL 3903905 (CFTC October 4 2010; In re Jeannie Veraja-Snelling, CFTC Docket No. 13-29, 2013 WL 4647784 (CFTC filed Aug. 26, 2013). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 201.102(e) of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (``SEC's'') regulations (``SEC rule of practice 102(e)'') \3\ addresses the standard of conduct for accountants practicing before that commission. Parallel to Commission rule 14.8, SEC rule of practice 102(e)(1)(ii) sets out ``unethical or improper professional conduct'' as grounds for accountant suspension and disbarment from practice before the SEC. As amended in 1998,\4\ the SEC regulation further provides that with respect to persons licensed to practice as accountants, ``improper professional conduct'' under SEC rule of practice 102(e)(1)(ii) means intentional or knowing conduct, including reckless conduct, that results in a violation of applicable professional standards; or either of the following two types of negligent conduct: A single instance of highly unreasonable conduct that results in a violation of applicable professional standards in circumstances in which an accountant knows, or should know, that heightened scrutiny is warranted; or repeated instances of unreasonable conduct, each resulting in a violation of applicable professional standards, that indicate a lack of competence to practice before the Commission.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 17 CFR 201.102(e). \4\ See Amendment to Rule 102(e) of the Commission's Rule of Practice, 63 FR 57164 (Oct. 26, 1998). \5\ 17 CFR 201.102(e)(1)(iv). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The standard for accountant ``improper professional conduct'' expressed in SEC rule of practice 102(e)(1) is consistent with that applied by the Commission in its earlier-referenced adjudications of accountant conduct under rule 14.8. II. The Proposed Amendment to Rule 14.8; Consideration of Comments On October 23, 2014, the Commission published a proposed amendment to rule 14.8 (``the Proposal'') for public comment.\6\ As proposed, the amendment sought to add language to rule 14.8(c) to clarify the meaning of accountant ``improper professional conduct.'' As explained in the Proposal, the proposed amendment mirrors in substance the standard prescribed in SEC rule of practice 102(e)(1)(iv), and comports with the standard historically applied by the Commission in adjudications of accountant conduct. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ Proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Rules Relating to Suspension or Disbarment from Appearance and Practice, 79 FR 63343 (Oct. 23, 2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Commission received three comments on the Proposal.\7\ Each commenter supported the amended rule as proposed without raising substantive issues. For example Deloitte LLP stated that it ``support[s] the CFTC's decision to seek regulatory consistency by adopting a definition that is identical to the definition provided under Rule 102(e) of the Rules of Practice of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.'' \8\ Ernst & Young LLP wrote that ``[a]dopting a rule that is modeled after SEC Rule 102(e), which would be the case with respect to the proposed amendment, strikes us as a reasonable approach given the lengthy [[Page 32856]] history and background of the SEC's rule.'' \9\ A third commenter wrote that the proposed rule ``requires the accountant to act with integrity and perform its duties with competence and care and will promote market integrity, ensure regulators consistency (with the SEC), enhance customer protection and improve risk management.'' \10\ Accordingly, the Commission is adopting the amendment to rule 14.8, as proposed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ The three commenters on the proposed rule amendment were Ernst & Young LLP, Deloitte LLP and Chris Barnard. \8\ Deloitte LLP Comment Letter at 1 (November 24, 2014). \9\ Ernst & Young LLP Comment Letter at 1 (November 24, 2014). \10\ Chris Barnard Comment Letter at 2 (November 4, 2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Role of and Standards Applied to Accountants Accountants auditing Commission registrants perform a critical gatekeeper role in protecting the financial integrity of the derivatives markets and the investing public. Accountants appearing before the Commission in this capacity must understand the business operations of their clients and conduct financial audits both in accordance with applicable professional principles and standards and in satisfaction of all the requirements of the Commission's regulations.\11\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ The current professional principles and standards applicable to accountants appearing before the Commission include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, International Accounting Standards, the Code of Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the rules and standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rule 14.8 can be an effective remedial tool to ensure that the accountants appearing before the Commission are competent to do so and do not pose a threat to the Commission's registration and examination functions. Accountants who engage in intentional or knowing misconduct, which includes reckless conduct, clearly pose such a threat, as do accountants who engage in certain specified types of negligent conduct. The Commission believes that a single, highly unreasonable error in judgment or other act made in circumstances warranting heightened scrutiny conclusively demonstrates a lack of competence to practice before the Commission. Repeated unreasonable conduct may also indicate a lack of competence. Therefore, if the Commission finds that an accountant acted egregiously in a single instance or unreasonably in more than one instance and that this conduct indicates a lack of competence, then that accountant engaged in improper professional conduct under rule 14.8's standard. The amendment to rule 14.8 is not meant, however, to encompass every professional misstep. A single judgment error, for example, even if unreasonable when made, may not indicate a lack of competence to practice before the Commission sufficient to require Commission action. The amendment seeks to provide greater clarity with respect to the Commission's standard for assessing accountant conduct, as developed to-date through administrative adjudications. At the same time, however, like the SEC regulation after which the amendment is modeled, the amendment elaborates standards that are to be applied in adjudications on a case-by-case basis, a method that promotes equitable application of the standards as warranted upon full consideration of the facts of each case. Similarly, as the SEC noted when it amended its rule of practice in 1998,\12\ the Commission does not seek to use rule 14.8 to establish new standards for the accounting profession. The rule itself imposes no new professional standards on accountants. Accountants who appear or practice before the Commission are already subject to professional standards, and rule 14.8(c) is intended to apply in a manner consistent with those existing standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ See 63 FR 33305 (June 18, 1998); 63 FR 57164 (Oct. 26, 1998). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Related Matters A. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to consider whether the rules they may adopt will have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities.\13\ This amendment simply clarifies the standard by which the Commission determines whether accountants have engaged in ``improper professional conduct'' and does not impose any additional burdens on small businesses. Accordingly, the Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, hereby certifies, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that the amendment will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Paperwork Reduction Act The amendment to Rule 14.8 does not establish a collection of information for which the Commission would be obligated to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act.\14\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Consideration of Costs and Benefits Section 15(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA'') requires the Commission to ``consider the costs and benefits'' of its actions before promulgating a regulation under the CEA or issuing certain orders.\15\ Section 15(a) further specifies that the costs and benefits shall be evaluated in light of five broad areas of market and public concern: (1) Protection of market participants and the public; (2) efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets; (3) price discovery; (4) sound risk management practices; and (5) other public interest considerations. The Commission considers the costs and benefits resulting from its discretionary determinations with respect to the section 15(a) factors. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \15\ 7 U.S.C. 19(a). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reckless accounting practices threaten serious harm to market participants and, potentially, to the financial system as a whole.\16\ Rule 14.8, which encompasses ``improper professional conduct'' of accountants that practice before the Commission, is one of the Commission's tools to guard against such harm. The amendment does not substantively change the standard that the Commission has employed to date under rule 14.8(c) in assessing accountant conduct. Rather, as discussed above, the amendment--which closely tracks language in the SEC's analogous rule \17\--simply expands upon the pre-existing language of rule 14.8(c) to articulate the standard more specifically and in a manner consistent with the standard the Commission has applied in past administrative adjudications considering accountant behavior.\18\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ For example, accounting professionals who prepare or assist in the preparation of misleading auditing reports or financial statements--either deliberately or due to their incompetence--may help cover up fraudulent practices that result in loss of customer funds. In addition, misleading auditing reports or financial statements may result in excessive risks being undertaken, because certain risk measures or decisions regarding risk management are based on accounting data. \17\ 17 CFR 201.102(e)(1)(iv). \18\ See note 2, supra. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accordingly, the amendment's chief benefit derives from clarifying the specific contours of the Commission's existing rule 14.8(c) standard as applied to accountant behavior and by codifying this refined approach in the Commission's regulations. Through this codification, the standard will be more transparent and accessible to professional practitioners, market participants, and the public generally. As a result, accountants appearing before the Commission will have the benefit of prominent notice of the specific standards of conduct to which they are held, and the consequences of failing to meet them. To the extent an [[Page 32857]] accountant inclined to test the bounds of professional conduct may have previously perceived loopholes or ambiguity for exploitation under the generally-stated standard of rule 14.8(c), the clarifying amendment provides a deterrent against such potentially damaging conduct--a benefit for market participants and the public. Further, such clear, specific notice forecloses to a great degree potential for an offending accounting practitioner, in defense of improper conduct, to argue confusion or uncertainty about what specifically the Commission's standard requires, thus supporting Commission enforcement efficiency. The Commission anticipates no material cost burden attributable to the amendment for market participants or accounting professionals to whom the amendment is addressed. Again, this amendment merely articulates with more precision the contours of the more generally- stated standard of rule 14.8(c) as it has existed prior to this amendment; further, this pre-existing standard has encompassed standards governing the accounting profession generally and with which accounting professionals have needed to comply. Since the clarifying amendment effects no substantive change to the rule 14.8 standard, accountants practicing before the Commission should already be in compliance. Consequently, they should experience no cost to change their behavior to comply with the rule as amended. In the following, the Commission considers the amendment relative to the CEA section 15(a) factors. (1) Protection of Market Participants and the Public As noted, improper accounting practices may help to cover up financial frauds or foster improper managerial decisions and may pose a threat to the safety of customer funds. By articulating the Commission's standards in more specific, codified, and readily accessible form, the amendment safeguards against accountants professing lack of knowledge of the applicable standards--or exploiting perceived ambiguities in them--to the detriment of market participants and the public. (2) Efficiency, Competitiveness, and Financial Integrity of Futures Markets Threats to the safety of customer funds generate public distrust in financial market integrity. To the extent this rule amendment better informs accountants and fosters their understanding of the Commission's standards and the consequences of improper actions--actions that potentially could threaten the safety of customer funds--the amendment promotes the integrity of financial markets. (3) Price Discovery The Commission does not foresee that the amendment will directly impact price discovery. (4) Sound Risk Management Practices As noted, improper accounting practices may lead to unnecessary risks being undertaken, as certain risk measures or managerial decisions are based on accounting data. To the extent the amendment improves accountants' understanding of the Commission's standards, thereby deterring improper conduct that potentially could result in unnecessary risks being undertaken, the amendment promotes sound risk management practices. (5) Other Public Interest Considerations By harmonizing the rule 14.8(c) standard for accountants with that of SEC rule of practice 102(e), the amendment helps to ensure consistency and reduces potential for confusion. List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 14 Administrative practice and procedure, Professional conduct and competency standards, Ethical conduct, Penalties. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission amends 17 CFR part 14 as set forth below: PART 14--RULES RELATING TO SUSPENSION OR DISBARMENT FROM APPEARANCE AND PRACTICE 0 1. The authority citation for part 14 is revised to read as follows: Authority: Pub. L. 93-463, sec. 101(a)(11), 88 Stat. 1391, 7 U.S.C. 4a(j). 0 2. Amend Sec. 14.8 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows: Sec. 14.8 Lack of requisite qualifications, character and integrity. * * * * * (c) To have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct either in the course of any adjudicatory, investigative or rulemaking or other proceeding before the Commission or otherwise. With respect to the professional conduct of persons licensed to practice as accountants, ``unethical or improper professional conduct'' means: (1) Intentional or knowing conduct, including reckless conduct, that results in a violation of applicable professional principles or standards; or (2) Either of the following two types of negligent conduct: (i) A single instance of highly unreasonable conduct that results in a violation of applicable professional principles or standards in circumstances in which an accountant knows, or should know, that heightened scrutiny is warranted. (ii) Repeated instances of unreasonable conduct, each resulting in a violation of applicable professional principles or standards, which indicate a lack of competence to practice before the Commission. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 5, 2015, by the Commission. Christopher J. Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission. Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix to Proceedings Before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Rules Relating to Suspension or Disbarment From Appearance and Practice--Commission Voting Summary On this matter, Chairman Massad and Commissioners Wetjen, Bowen, and Giancarlo voted in the affirmative. No Commissioner voted in the negative. [FR Doc. 2015-14159 Filed 6-9-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6351-01-P
![32855
Rules and Regulations Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 111
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER opportunity for a hearing and an negligent conduct: A single instance of
contains regulatory documents having general adverse finding by a preponderance of highly unreasonable conduct that
applicability and legal effect, most of which the evidence, may bar an attorney or results in a violation of applicable
are keyed to and codified in the Code of accountant found: (a) Not to possess the professional standards in circumstances
Federal Regulations, which is published under requisite qualifications to represent in which an accountant knows, or
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
others; or (b) to be lacking in character should know, that heightened scrutiny
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by or integrity; or (c) to have engaged in is warranted; or repeated instances of
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of unethical or improper professional unreasonable conduct, each resulting in
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL conduct either in the course of an a violation of applicable professional
REGISTER issue of each week. adjudicatory, investigative, rulemaking, standards, that indicate a lack of
or other proceeding before the competence to practice before the
Commission or otherwise.1 Commission.5
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING Prior to this amendment, rule 14.8 did The standard for accountant
COMMISSION not further articulate what constitutes ‘‘improper professional conduct’’
‘‘unethical or improper professional expressed in SEC rule of practice
17 CFR Part 14 conduct’’ by an accountant under 102(e)(1) is consistent with that applied
RIN 3038–AE21 paragraph (c). However, since 1996, the by the Commission in its earlier-
Commission has filed six administrative referenced adjudications of accountant
Proceedings Before the Commodity actions alleging violations of rule 14.8 conduct under rule 14.8.
Futures Trading Commission; Rules against accountants appearing and
practicing before it.2 In each case, the II. The Proposed Amendment to Rule
Relating to Suspension or Disbarment
Commission accepted a settlement 14.8; Consideration of Comments
From Appearance and Practice
banning the defendants from practicing On October 23, 2014, the Commission
AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading before it for a specified time period. published a proposed amendment to
Commission. Section 201.102(e) of the Securities rule 14.8 (‘‘the Proposal’’) for public
ACTION: Final rule. and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘SEC’s’’) comment.6 As proposed, the
regulations (‘‘SEC rule of practice amendment sought to add language to
SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures 102(e)’’) 3 addresses the standard of rule 14.8(c) to clarify the meaning of
Trading Commission (‘‘Commission’’ or conduct for accountants practicing accountant ‘‘improper professional
‘‘CFTC’’) amends its regulations to before that commission. Parallel to conduct.’’ As explained in the Proposal,
clarify the standard used for Commission rule 14.8, SEC rule of the proposed amendment mirrors in
determining when an accountant has practice 102(e)(1)(ii) sets out ‘‘unethical substance the standard prescribed in
engaged in ‘‘unethical or improper or improper professional conduct’’ as SEC rule of practice 102(e)(1)(iv), and
professional conduct’’—grounds for a grounds for accountant suspension and comports with the standard historically
temporary or permanent denial of the disbarment from practice before the applied by the Commission in
privilege to practice before the SEC. As amended in 1998,4 the SEC adjudications of accountant conduct.
Commission. The amendment enhances regulation further provides that with The Commission received three
transparency by codifying the standard respect to persons licensed to practice comments on the Proposal.7 Each
used in Commission adjudications of as accountants, ‘‘improper professional commenter supported the amended rule
accountant conduct under the conduct’’ under SEC rule of practice as proposed without raising substantive
Commission’s regulations. 102(e)(1)(ii) means intentional or issues. For example Deloitte LLP stated
DATES: This rule is effective July 10, knowing conduct, including reckless that it ‘‘support[s] the CFTC’s decision
2015. conduct, that results in a violation of to seek regulatory consistency by
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: applicable professional standards; or adopting a definition that is identical to
Jason Gizzarelli, Director, Office of either of the following two types of the definition provided under Rule
Proceedings, (202) 418–5395, 102(e) of the Rules of Practice of the
jgizzarelli@cftc.gov, Office of the
1 17 CFR 14.8. U.S. Securities and Exchange
2 Inre Deloitte & Touche and Thomas Lux, CFTC
Executive Director, Commodity Futures Commission.’’ 8 Ernst & Young LLP
Docket No. 96–10, 1996 WL 547883 (CFTC
Trading Commission, Three Lafayette September 25, 1996); In re Sherald Griffin, CPA &
wrote that ‘‘[a]dopting a rule that is
Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Donna Laubscher, CPA, CFTC Docket No. 98–12, modeled after SEC Rule 102(e), which
Washington, DC 20581. 1998 WL 161709 (CFTC April 8, 1998); In re would be the case with respect to the
Anatoly Osadchy, CPA, CFTC Docket No. 99–2, proposed amendment, strikes us as a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1998 WL 754637 (CFTC October 29, 1998); In re G.
Victor Johnson and Altschuler, Melvoin & Glasser,
reasonable approach given the lengthy
I. Background LLP, CFTC Docket No. 04–29, 2005 WL 1398672
5 17 CFR 201.102(e)(1)(iv).
(CFTC June 13, 2005); In re G. Victor Johnson II,
Part 14 of the Commission’s
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and Altshuler, Melvoin & 6 Proceedings before the Commodity Futures
regulations addresses the circumstances Glasser, LLP, CFTC Docket No. 11–01, 2010 WL Trading Commission; Rules Relating to Suspension
under which the Commission may deny 3903905 (CFTC October 4 2010; In re Jeannie or Disbarment from Appearance and Practice, 79 FR
attorneys and accountants, temporarily Veraja-Snelling, CFTC Docket No. 13–29, 2013 WL 63343 (Oct. 23, 2014).
4647784 (CFTC filed Aug. 26, 2013). 7 The three commenters on the proposed rule
or permanently, the privilege of 3 17 CFR 201.102(e). amendment were Ernst & Young LLP, Deloitte LLP
practicing their respective professions 4 See Amendment to Rule 102(e) of the and Chris Barnard.
before it. Rule 14.8 specifically provides Commission’s Rule of Practice, 63 FR 57164 (Oct. 8 Deloitte LLP Comment Letter at 1 (November 24,
that the Commission, after notice and 26, 1998). 2014).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 32857
accountant inclined to test the bounds potentially could threaten the safety of (2) Either of the following two types
of professional conduct may have customer funds—the amendment of negligent conduct:
previously perceived loopholes or promotes the integrity of financial (i) A single instance of highly
ambiguity for exploitation under the markets. unreasonable conduct that results in a
generally-stated standard of rule 14.8(c), violation of applicable professional
(3) Price Discovery principles or standards in circumstances
the clarifying amendment provides a
deterrent against such potentially The Commission does not foresee that in which an accountant knows, or
damaging conduct—a benefit for market the amendment will directly impact should know, that heightened scrutiny
participants and the public. Further, price discovery. is warranted.
such clear, specific notice forecloses to (ii) Repeated instances of
(4) Sound Risk Management Practices unreasonable conduct, each resulting in
a great degree potential for an offending
accounting practitioner, in defense of As noted, improper accounting a violation of applicable professional
improper conduct, to argue confusion or practices may lead to unnecessary risks principles or standards, which indicate
uncertainty about what specifically the being undertaken, as certain risk a lack of competence to practice before
Commission’s standard requires, thus measures or managerial decisions are the Commission.
supporting Commission enforcement based on accounting data. To the extent Issued in Washington, DC, on June 5, 2015,
efficiency. the amendment improves accountants’ by the Commission.
The Commission anticipates no understanding of the Commission’s Christopher J. Kirkpatrick,
material cost burden attributable to the standards, thereby deterring improper Secretary of the Commission.
amendment for market participants or conduct that potentially could result in
accounting professionals to whom the unnecessary risks being undertaken, the Note: The following appendix will not
amendment is addressed. Again, this amendment promotes sound risk appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
amendment merely articulates with management practices.
more precision the contours of the more Appendix to Proceedings Before the
(5) Other Public Interest Considerations Commodity Futures Trading
generally-stated standard of rule 14.8(c)
as it has existed prior to this By harmonizing the rule 14.8(c) Commission; Rules Relating to
amendment; further, this pre-existing standard for accountants with that of Suspension or Disbarment From
standard has encompassed standards SEC rule of practice 102(e), the Appearance and Practice—Commission
governing the accounting profession amendment helps to ensure consistency Voting Summary
generally and with which accounting and reduces potential for confusion. On this matter, Chairman Massad and
professionals have needed to comply. Commissioners Wetjen, Bowen, and
List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 14 Giancarlo voted in the affirmative. No
Since the clarifying amendment effects
no substantive change to the rule 14.8 Administrative practice and Commissioner voted in the negative.
standard, accountants practicing before procedure, Professional conduct and [FR Doc. 2015–14159 Filed 6–9–15; 8:45 am]
the Commission should already be in competency standards, Ethical conduct, BILLING CODE 6351–01–P
compliance. Consequently, they should Penalties.
experience no cost to change their For the reasons discussed in the
behavior to comply with the rule as preamble, the Commodity Futures FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
amended. Trading Commission amends 17 CFR COMMISSION
In the following, the Commission part 14 as set forth below:
considers the amendment relative to the 47 CFR Part 64
CEA section 15(a) factors. PART 14—RULES RELATING TO
[CG Docket No. 10–210; FCC 15–57]
SUSPENSION OR DISBARMENT FROM
(1) Protection of Market Participants and APPEARANCE AND PRACTICE
the Public Relay Services for Deaf-Blind
Individuals
As noted, improper accounting ■ 1. The authority citation for part 14 is
practices may help to cover up financial revised to read as follows: AGENCY: Federal Communications
frauds or foster improper managerial Authority: Pub. L. 93–463, sec. 101(a)(11), Commission.
decisions and may pose a threat to the 88 Stat. 1391, 7 U.S.C. 4a(j). ACTION: Final rule.
safety of customer funds. By articulating ■ 2. Amend § 14.8 by revising paragraph
the Commission’s standards in more SUMMARY: In this document, the
(c) to read as follows: Commission extends the National Deaf-
specific, codified, and readily accessible
form, the amendment safeguards against § 14.8 Lack of requisite qualifications, Blind Equipment Distribution Program
accountants professing lack of character and integrity. (NDBEDP) as a pilot program for one
knowledge of the applicable standards— * * * * * additional year. The NDBEDP provides
or exploiting perceived ambiguities in (c) To have engaged in unethical or up to $10 million annually to support
them—to the detriment of market improper professional conduct either in programs that distribute
participants and the public. the course of any adjudicatory, communications equipment to low-
investigative or rulemaking or other income individuals who are deaf-blind.
(2) Efficiency, Competitiveness, and proceeding before the Commission or Extending the pilot program enables the
Financial Integrity of Futures Markets otherwise. With respect to the NDBEDP to continue providing
Threats to the safety of customer communications equipment to low-
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
professional conduct of persons
funds generate public distrust in licensed to practice as accountants, income individuals who are deaf-blind
financial market integrity. To the extent ‘‘unethical or improper professional without interruption while the
this rule amendment better informs conduct’’ means: Commission considers whether to adopt
accountants and fosters their (1) Intentional or knowing conduct, rules to govern a permanent NDBEDP.
understanding of the Commission’s including reckless conduct, that results DATES: Effective June 10, 2015.
standards and the consequences of in a violation of applicable professional FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
improper actions—actions that principles or standards; or Rosaline Crawford, Consumer and
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:16:53
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:16:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | This rule is effective July 10, 2015. | |
| Contact | Jason Gizzarelli, Director, Office of Proceedings, (202) 418-5395, [email protected], Office of the Executive Director, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 32855 | |
| RIN Number | 3038-AE21 | |
| CFR Associated | Administrative Practice and Procedure; Professional Conduct and Competency Standards; Ethical Conduct and Penalties |
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