Dear Friends,

One of our top priorities here at the Department is educating consumers about the importance of using state licensed professionals when a job or service is one that would require a license. One of our licensed professions is certified public accountants, and unlicensed accounting activity not only takes jobs away from these professionals, it could also cause consumers serious financial harm.

I’m excited to announce that this week, DBPR and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) launched an exciting competition for accounting students throughout the state to combat unlicensed accounting activity. We are offering cash prizes to the best videos students can create about unlicensed certified public accounting! In addition to prizes for the top three entries, a donation will be sent to the accounting schools of the winning teams. Teams can enter online at www.ficpa.org/Impostulators. If you know an accounting student, encourage him or her to enter the contest!

Also this week, we recognized the 11th anniversary of the terrible attacks against our nation on September 11, 2001. We are fortunate to live in a country where freedom is celebrated, but our freedom has not come at an easy price. I encourage everyone to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and offer their sympathy and support to the families and friends who have lost someone to this tragedy or in the line of duty. America will never forget.

Sincerely,

Ken Lawson
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com