1. (a) A CPA firm shall be granted a permit to practice as a CPA firm in NH if the applicant CPA firm meets the requirements of this section.
2. (b) The applicant CPA firm shall file with the OPLC a “CPA Firm Permit Application” as described in Ac 302.06 and any supporting data, documents, or information, required pursuant to Ac 302.05 through Ac 302.07. Such documentation shall demonstrate that the firm meets all statutory and rule requirements without demonstrating that any basis for denial of the permit exists.
3. (c) The applicant CPA firm shall demonstrate, pursuant to RSA 309-B:8, I, that it has or will have a physical presence in NH by a date certain specified by the applicant CPA firm. Each CPA firm’s primary office doing business in NH shall be registered with the OPLC.
4. (d) If the applicant CPA firm specifies a date by which it will have a physical presence in NH, pursuant to (c) above, the permit shall become effective on the date of issuance of the permit or the date that the applicant specifies that it will have a physical presence in NH, whichever is later.
5. (e) The applicant CPA firm shall demonstrate that at least a simple majority of the ownership of the firm belongs to those who are certified in NH.
6. (f) The applicant CPA firm shall demonstrate that any individual CPA who is responsible for supervising attest services or authorizes someone to sign the accountant's report on the financial statements on behalf of the firm, meets the experience requirements set forth in RSA 309-B:8, III(c).
7. (g) The applicant CPA firm shall demonstrate, through the peer review affidavit required pursuant to Ac 302.07, that it is in compliance with any applicable provision of Ac 405 relative to peer review.
8. (h) The applicant CPA firm shall submit a copy of the most recent peer review letter obtained in compliance with Ac 405.02, if the CPA firm has been issuing reports for 3 or more years. If the letter indicates that the CPA firm has received an unqualified peer review report, the CPA firm shall be determined by the OPLC to be in compliance with Ac 405.
9. (i) If the applicant CPA firm has received an adverse or qualified peer review report, the affidavit required pursuant to (g) above shall indicate that fact as well as the date by which the CPA firm expects to be able to submit to the OPLC an unqualified peer review report after taking the steps necessary to address the bases of the adverse or qualified peer review report. The OPLC shall issue a conditional permit that shall remain in effect for 2 years, or until the CPA firm timely submitting the subsequent unqualified peer review letter. However, no conditional permit shall remain in effect for longer than 2 years.
10. (j) The applicant CPA firm shall submit the application fee required by Plc 1002.01.
11. (k) Applications shall be reviewed as required by Plc 304.06 and Plc 304.08.

Source. #14399, eff 12-5-25, EXPIRES: 12-5-35 (formerly Ac 302.07)