PCAOB Sanctions Audit Firm, an Owner of That Firm, and a Former Audit Manager for Multiple Violations of PCAOB Rules and Standards

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2026 The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today announced settled disciplinary orders sanctioning (1) Zwick CPA, PLLC (“Firm”) and Jack Zwick (“Zwick”) ** and (2) Jeffrey Hoskow (“Hoskow”).

The sanctions address violations of PCAOB rules and standards in connection with the integrated audit of a public company – Genie Energy Ltd. (“Genie”) – for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Violations Found By the PCAOB

As described in further detail in the Firm and Zwick order, the Firm and Zwick, who served as the engagement partner, failed to comply with multiple PCAOB rules and standards in performing the Genie audit. Specifically:

• The Firm and Zwick failed to properly plan, identify, and assess the risks of material misstatement.
• The Firm and Zwick failed to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support the Firm’s opinion on internal control over financial reporting.
• The Firm and Zwick failed to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence as to Genie’s reported revenue and unbilled revenue.
• Zwick failed to properly supervise the work of the Firm’s engagement team members.

• The Firm and Zwick failed to prepare audit documentation pursuant to PCAOB standards.
  As described in further detail in the Hoskow order, Hoskow, who was an audit manager at the Firm, violated PCAOB rules and standards by improperly adopting workpapers from Genie’s predecessor auditor as the Firm’s own. Specifically:

• Hoskow took the predecessor auditor’s workpapers, replaced the name of the predecessor auditor with “Zwick CPA,” updated the year under audit, and added workpaper sign-offs.

• Hoskow prepared various other significant workpapers that inappropriately included documentation related to other issuers – documentation that was inaccurate and irrelevant to Genie’s operations.

Sanctions Imposed by the PCAOB

The Firm and Zwick order:

• Censures the Firm and Zwick;
• Revokes the Firm’s registration (with the ability to reapply for registration after three years from the date of the order);
• Bars Zwick from being an associated person of a registered public accounting firm (with the ability to file a petition for Board consent to associate with a registered public accounting firm after three years from the date of the order);
• Imposes a civil money penalty in the amount of $50,000, jointly and severally, on the Firm and Zwick;
• Requires the Firm to undertake certain remedial measures concerning quality control prior to submitting any future registration application and to provide evidence of such measures with any future registration application; and

• Requires Zwick to complete 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) relating to PCAOB auditing standards, in addition to any CPE required in connection with any professional license, before filing any petition for Board consent to associate with a registered public accounting firm.
  The Hoskow order:

• Censures Hoskow;

• Bars Hoskow from being an associated person of a registered public accounting firm (with the ability to file a petition for Board consent to associate with a registered public accounting firm after two years from the date of the order); and

• Requires Hoskow to complete 40 hours of CPE relating to PCAOB auditing standards, in addition to any CPE required in connection with any professional license, before filing any petition for Board consent to associate with a registered public accounting firm.

Learn More

Further information about the PCAOB Division of Enforcement and Investigations is available on the PCAOB website. Firms or individuals wishing to report suspected misconduct by auditors, or to self-report possible misconduct, may visit the PCAOB Tips and Referrals page.

About the PCAOB

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.