Discipline Decisions – March 2023
Discipline committee
Name: Susanna Lopresti (1995, Mississauga)
[suspended CPA, CA]
Rule: Rule 104 – Failure to cooperate with the regulatory process of CPA Ontario
Conduct:
Between April 18, 2022, and July 27, 2022, the member failed to cooperate with the regulatory process of CPA Ontario by failing to reply promptly in writing to communications from the Standards Enforcement Department of CPA Ontario, to which a written reply was specifically required.
Finding:
On November 30, 2022, the member was found to have committed professional misconduct by breaching Rule 104 of the CPA Ontario Code of Professional Conduct.
Sanction:
$5,000 fine
Reprimand
Cooperation with the Professional Conduct Committee
Notice to all members of CPA Ontario and all provincial CPA bodies
Costs: $3,500
Settlement Decisions
Name: Brian M. Jones, CPA, CA (1973, Toronto)
Conduct:
The member failed to perform their professional services in accordance with generally accepted standards of practice of the profession with respect to multiple audit engagements.
Terms:
On October 20, 2022, the following settlement terms were approved:
- $5,000 fine
- Practice restriction
- Notice to all members of CPA Ontario and all provincial CPA bodies
- Newspaper publication
- $7,000 in costs
Name: Stephen Sutherland, CPA, CA (1977, Oshawa)
(Settlement Agreement)
Conduct:
The member failed to perform their professional services in accordance with generally accepted standards of practice of the profession with respect to a number of audit engagements.
Terms:
On February 10, 2023, the following settlement terms were approved:
- $7,500 fine
- Immediate and irrevocable surrender of Public Accounting Licence
- Practice restriction
- Notice to all members of CPA Ontario, the Public Accounting Standards Committee, and all provincial CPA bodies
- Newspaper publication
- $15,000 costs
Admission and Registration Committee
Good Character Matters
If the Registrar is not satisfied that an applicant for registration as a student or admission to membership is currently of good character, the matter may be referred to the Admission and Registration Committee for a decision. The Public Accounting Licensing Board may also refer a person seeking a licence for a good character hearing.
Name: B. Z.
Reason for referral:
Criminal convictions under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and nondisclosure in student application to CPA Ontario.
Outcome:
On December 5, 2022, the tribunal found the Applicant to be of good character. The conduct underlying the criminal convictions had occurred more than 8.5 years prior to the hearing. Notwithstanding the Applicant’s conduct in 2014 and 2017, the tribunal was impressed by the Applicant’s willingness to accept full responsibility for their misconduct, their expressions of remorse, and their ability to move on from the misconduct to establish themself as a professional with a reputation for integrity, who has earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues. The tribunal directed the Registrar to admit the Applicant as a member of CPA Ontario.