The amount of the administrative penalty assessed under this chapter will be in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. (1) an unlicensed individual who uses terms restricted for use by certified public accountants only in violation of §§901.451, 901.452 and 901.453 of the Act shall pay a penalty of no less than $1,000.00 and no more than $5,000.00;
2. (2) an unlicensed entity that uses terms restricted for use by licensed firms only in violation of §901.351(a) of the Act shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $10,000.00;
3. (3) an unlicensed individual who asserts an expertise in accounting through use of the term "accounting service" or any variation of that term shall pay a penalty of no less than $1,000.00 and no more than $5,000.00;
4. (4) an unlicensed entity that asserts an expertise in accounting through use of the term "accounting service" or any variation of that term shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $10,000.00;
5. (5) an unlicensed individual who claims to provide attest services shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $25,000.00;
6. (6) an unlicensed entity that claims to provide attest services shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $25,000.00;
7. (7) an unlicensed individual who claims to be a certified public accountant shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $25,000.00; and
8. (8) an unlicensed entity that claims to be a certified public accounting firm shall pay a penalty of no less than $5,000.00 and no more than $25,000.00.

Source Note:The provisions of this §518.4 adopted to be effective June 9, 2004, 29 TexReg 5627; amended to be effective October 15, 2008, 33 TexReg 8517.