Peer Review FAQs
Peer Review Reporting
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Who is required to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1)?
All firms, including sole proprietors, must report their specific peer review information to the CBA by completing and submitting the Peer Review Reporting Form with their license renewal application, even if they are not required to undergo a peer review.
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If I have to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) to the CBA every two years with my license renewal, do I have to have a peer review every two years?
No. Even though reporting will be done at the time of license renewal, peer reviews are still only required every three years. This means for some years you will report the same peer review results two renewal cycles in a row.
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I am not a sole proprietor. Do I need to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1)?
No, only those CPAs operating as sole proprietors will be required to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) at the time of license renewal. However, you will be required to report that you are not operating as a sole proprietor by completing the sole proprietor question on the license renewal application.
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Once I notify the CBA that I am not required to undergo a peer review, do I need to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) again in the future?
Yes. All firms and CPA/PAs operating as sole proprietors will be required to report to the CBA by submitting a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) at the time of license renewal.
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I maintain a CPA license in California, but practice in another state. Do I need to submit a Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1)?
Yes, if you are a CPA operating as a sole proprietor. Peer Review is a condition of license renewal in California regardless of where you practice.
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I undergo peer review to maintain a license in another state. Can I report the out-of-state peer review to California?
Yes. As long as the peer review report is accepted by a California Board-recognized peer review program, it will meet the peer review requirement for California. Currently, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the only Board-recognized peer review program in California.
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I submitted my Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) with incorrect information. How can I correct it?
You must submit another Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) to the CBA for correction. The form must be clearly marked "Corrected Copy." You can request a form by e-mailing the Peer Review Unit at peerreviewinfo@cba.ca.gov.
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What will happen if I fail to submit the Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) to the CBA?
Failure to submit the Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) to the CBA at the time of license renewal may delay processing and may also result in the CBA initiating enforcement action.
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What additional reporting requirements do I have?
If you receive a substandard peer review, you must notify the CBA within 45 days and submit a copy of the peer review report to the CBA at:
California Board of Accountancy
Attn: Peer Review Analyst
2450 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833-3291
You must also notify the CBA within 30 days if you are expelled by a Board-recognized peer review program and provide the name of the Board-recognized peer review program and the reason(s) given by the peer review program for the expulsion.
Participating in Peer Review
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What is peer review?
Peer review is a systematic review of a firm's accounting and auditing services performed by a peer reviewer who is unaffiliated with the firm being reviewed to ensure work performed conforms to professional standards.
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Is a sole proprietorship considered a firm in California?
Yes. Business and Professions Code section 5035.1 defines a firm to include a sole proprietorship.
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Who is required to undergo peer review?
Peer review is required for all California-licensed firms, including sole proprietorships that perform accounting and auditing services using the following professional standards:
- Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS)
- Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS)*
- Statements on Standards on Attestation Engagements (SSAE)
- Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)
- Audits of non-Security Exchange Commission (SEC) issuers performed pursuant to the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
- *Firms, which as their highest level of work, perform only preparation engagements (with or without disclaimer reports) in accordance with the provisions of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) are not required to undergo peer review.
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If a firm performed only one accounting and auditing engagement, will it still be required to undergo a peer review?
Yes. There is no exclusion from the peer review requirement based solely on the number of engagements performed.
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Are there any exclusions from the peer review requirement?
Yes. There are two exclusions from the peer review requirement.
- Any of a firm's engagements subject to inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's (PCAOB) inspection program.
- 2. A firm, which as their highest level of work, perform only preparation engagements (with or without disclaimer reports) in accordance with the provisions of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) are not required to undergo peer review.
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Does a firm need to submit its peer review report to the CBA?
A firm that receives a substandard peer review rating is required to submit the peer review report, along with any materials documenting prescription of remedial or corrective actions, to the CBA within 45 days after the report is accepted by the Board-recognized peer review program provider.
A firm that receives a peer review rating of pass or pass with deficiencies is not required to submit the peer review report. The firm will only need to complete the Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1) and submit it to the CBA at the time of license renewal. -
What are Board-recognized peer review program providers?
A Board-recognized peer review program provider is an organization that is recognized to administer peer reviews in California. Board-recognized peer review program providers will work with firms to ensure peer reviews are completed timely, firms select peer reviewers with a currency of knowledge of the professional standards to the type of practice to be reviewed, and review and accept the peer review report.
Presently, only the AICPA is recognized by the CBA to administer peer reviews. The AICPA uses several administering entities nationally, usually state certified public accountant societies, to administer its peer review program.
The California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) administers the AICPA Peer Review Program in California. CalCPA can be contacted at (650) 522-3094 or peerreview@calcpa.org. Their website is www.calcpa.org.
The National Peer Review Committee (NPRC) administers peer reviews for firms that are required to be registered with and inspected by the PCAOB and firms that perform audits of non-Securities and Exchange Commission issuers pursuant to the standards of the PCAOB. The NPRC can be contacted at (919) 402-4502. -
How does a firm select a peer reviewer?
A firm is required to enroll in a Board-recognized peer review provider program. Once enrolled, the provider will assist in a firm's selection of a qualified peer reviewer to ensure that the peer reviewer has a currency of knowledge of the professional standards related to the type of practice to be reviewed.
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How can a firm receive an extension of time to undergo a peer review?
Should an extension of time be needed to have a peer review report accepted by a Board-recognized peer review program, the firm shall submit the extension request to the Board-recognized peer review program provider with which the firm is enrolled. If the extension granted extends past the firm's reporting date, the firm shall notify the CBA of the extension and provide proof of the extension. The firm shall then report the results of the peer review to the CBA within 45 days of the peer review report being accepted by the Board-recognized peer review program.
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How long does it take to undergo a peer review?
Please contact the Board-recognized peer review program provider for timeframes. If undergoing a peer review for the first time, please allow sufficient time for the peer review engagement and acceptance by the Board-recognized administering entity.
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How much will a peer review cost?
Please contact the Board-recognized peer review program provider for the cost to enroll in the peer review program. The fee for the peer review is negotiated between the licensee and the peer reviewer.
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I am subject to peer review, but am planning on retiring and renewing my license inactive. Do I need to have a peer review?
No. Effective January 1, 2013, only licensees renewing in an active status or converting to active status are required to have a peer review. If you renew in an inactive status, you do not need to have a peer review.
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Do I need to have a peer review if I'm dissolving my corporation/partnership?
No. Peer reviews are a condition of license renewal. A peer review would not be required if the corporation/partnership is dissolved and the CBA is notified of the dissolution prior to the renewal of the license.
Contact the CBA's License Renewal/Continuing Competency Unit at (916) 561-1702 for information on dissolution. -
In 2020, my firm completed a peer review which covered the year that ended December 31, 2019. The firm issued a few compilation reports in early 2020, but has not issued any since then. Does the firm need another peer review?
Yes. The firm will need another peer review (in three years) if any compilation, review, or audit reports were issued after the period covered by the last peer review.
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In 2020, as a sole proprietor, I had a peer review completed for the year that ended December 31, 2019. I issued a few compilation reports in 2020, and then merged my sole proprietorship into an existing partnership. Do I need another peer review prior to renewing my CPA license?
Yes. If you issued any compilation, review, or audit reports after the period covered by your last peer review, you will need another peer review in three years.
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What will happen if I fail to complete a mandatory peer review?
Failure to complete a mandatory peer review may result in the CBA initiating disciplinary action against your license.