CPA Reprimanded, $5,000 Penalty for Unlicensed NJ Practice
Summary
The New Jersey State Board of Accountancy issued a Consent Order reprimanding Christopher Abruzzo and assessing a $5,000 civil penalty for practicing public accountancy in New Jersey without a state license from January 2004 through June 2009. The Board found the unlicensed practice violated N.J.S.A. 45:2B-62(a). The $5,000 penalty must be paid within 30 days of the April 11, 2012 order date.
What changed
The New Jersey State Board of Accountancy issued a Consent Order finding that Christopher Abruzzo, a licensed New York CPA since 2004, engaged in the unlicensed practice of public accountancy in New Jersey from approximately January 2004 through June 30, 2009. The Board reprimanded the Respondent and assessed a civil penalty of $5,000, payable within 30 days of the April 11, 2012 order. Failure to remit payment will result in filing of a Certificate of Debt.
Certified Public Accountants and public accounting firms practicing or soliciting business in New Jersey must hold a valid New Jersey license. The Board identified this case as a violation of N.J.S.A. 45:2B-62(a), establishing that holding an out-of-state CPA license does not authorize practice in New Jersey without separate state licensure. Professionals seeking to practice in New Jersey should ensure they hold or obtain the appropriate state license prior to commencing practice.
What to do next
- Pay $5,000 civil penalty by certified check or money order to the State of New Jersey within 30 days from April 11, 2012
Penalties
$5,000 civil penalty for unlicensed practice of public accountancy in violation of N.J.S.A. 45:2B-62(a)
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
NEW JERSEY STATE
BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
April 11, 2012
JEFFREY S. CHIESA
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW JERSEY
124 Halsey Street
P.O. Box 45029
Newark, New Jersey 07101
By: Tobey Palan
Deputy Attorney General
(973) 648-3808
FILED
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF LAW & PUBLIC
SAFETY
DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
IN THE MATTER OF :
: Administrative Action
CHRISTOPHER ABRUZZO :
(Unlicensed) : CONSENT ORDER
:
TO PRACTICE ACCOUNTANCY :
IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY :
This matter was opened to the New Jersey State Board
of Accountancy (Board) upon receipt of a Complaint that
Christopher Abruzzo, Respondent, allegedly engaged in the
unlicensed practice of public accountancy in the State of
New Jersey.
Respondent appeared with counsel, Edward David, Esq.,
before a Committee of the Board on March 8, 2012. As a
result of this inquiry and the Board's review of other
relevant information, the Board determined at its March 15,
2012 meeting that (1) Respondent has been a licensed C.P.A.
in the state of New York in good standing since 2004, (2)
Respondent has never held a New Jersey license to practice
public accountancy, (3) from approximately January 2004
through June 2009, Respondent engaged in the unlicensed
practice of public accountancy in the State of New Jersey,
and (4) Respondent is currently seeking licensure in New
Jersey as a Certified Public Accountant.
The Board finding Respondent's unlicensed practice of
public accountancy in New Jersey is a violation of N.J.S.A.
45:2B-62(a), and the parties having agreed and consented to
the resolution of this matter without the necessity of the
Board instituting formal proceedings, and the Board finding
that the within Order is adequately protective of the
public and that good cause exists for its entry:
IT IS THEREFORE on this 11th day of April , 2012,
ORDERED that;
Respondent is hereby "reprimanded" for having
engaged in the unlicensed practice of public accountancy in
the state of New Jersey from 2004 through June 30, 2009 in
violation of N.J.S.A. 45:2B-62(a);Respondent is hereby assessed a civil penalty in
the amount of $5,000.00 for the above referenced violation.
The penalty shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the
filing date of this Consent Order. Payment of the penalty
shall be submitted by certified check or money order made
payable to the State of New Jersey and shall be sent to
William Mandeville, Executive Director, New Jersey State
Board of Accountancy, P. O. Box 45009, 124 Halsey Street.
Sixth Floor, Newark, New Jersey 07101.
- Failure to remit any payment as required by this Consent Order will result in the filing of a Certificate of Debt.
NEW JERSEY STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
By: Keith Balla, C.P.A.
Board President
I have read and understood
the above Consent Order and
I agree to abide by its terms.
Consent is hereby given to the
Board to enter this Order.
Christopher Abruzzo, C.P.A. (NY)
Consent as to the form of
this Order is given.
Edward David, Esq.
Counsel for Christopher Abruzzo, C.P.A. (NY)
Named provisions
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Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from NJ Board of Accountancy.
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