July 2009

In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• Message From The Executive Director
• Helpful Reminders for Licensees
• New License Application Center
• eNewsroom

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Message From The Secretary

With this economic downturn, many of us find ourselves struggling to use existing resources more frugally and to cut costs wherever possible.  This renewed focus on fiscal responsibility is happening across the board—at state agencies, in Florida’s business and professional community and even in our own homes.  At DBPR, we are focusing on cutting costs through increased efficiency.

Recently, we have targeted areas where we can increase efficiency for the department and for our licensees.  I would like to share some examples of our efforts with you. 

• We have reduced the time required to process exam scores for CPAs by more than half.  The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy is now transmitting scores as frequently as eight times per exam window, which is a three-month period. DBPR will now be able to provide eligible applicants with licensure packages more quickly, in approximately 30 days.

• We have removed the requirement that applicants submit corporate documents.  Before this change, documents from the Department of State had to be submitted by the licensee. Now, DBPR mines the documents directly from the Department of State system, thus reducing deficiencies and processing licenses faster.

• We have implemented computer-based testing for Farm Labor.  The Farm Labor Contractor registration examination, previously administered through the pencil and paper, is now offered via computer at multiple sites throughout the state.

A few months ago I sent a letter to all of our board chairs asking them to be mindful of the current budget times and to help us look for ways to save our licensees money and increase efficiency.  Many of our boards and licensees have risen to this challenge. 

Recently, the chair of the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bob O’Neil, suggested that the board decline their statutorily authorized $50 daily board compensation.  The board agreed, and I would like to commend them on their dedication to public service.  In addition, our licensees, the Biscayne Bay Pilots Association, withdrew their application for a rate increase citing the distressed state of the economy and the possible impact to fellow stakeholders at the Port of Miami. 

It is inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we join together with a common purpose.  As we work through these tough times, I am confident we will be able to weather the storm with the support of one another.  I will continue to keep you informed about what the department and our partners are doing to support you.  You can find more information about our efforts by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com/dbpr/Accelerate_Florida.  I look forward to sharing our successes with you.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago, Secretary

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Message from the Board Chair
Marjorie (Midge) Seltzer

As board members of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Board of Employee Leasing Companies (BELC), we strive to uphold the DBPR’s commitment to “license efficiently and regulate fairly."  To this end, we hold a Rules Discussion Workshop on June 16th regarding several issues pertinent to the employee leasing industry.  Some of the issues discussed include the consolidation or combination of an employee leasing company’s financial statements that are submitted to BELC pursuant to Chapter 61G7, Florida Administrative Code, and §468.525(3)(d), Florida Statutes, in light of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) FIN 46R’s requirement to consolidate a variable interest entity, and review of the current Attestation of Workers’ Compensation Statement under Rule 61G7-10.0012, F.A.C.

Additionally, in this last legislative session, a bill was passed requiring employee leasing companies, also known as Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), to report changes in clients’ employees’ (worksite employees) growth and wages at the client level to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In the past, PEOs have reported these changes as occurring in the city where the PEO is located, thus skewing Florida’s employment numbers.  The PEO industry and the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation worked together to resolve the disparity between where worksite employees were being reported and where they actually worked.  This new law requires PEOs to report these changes under the client’s city and Standard Industrial Classification code.  The information reported by PEOs is confidential.  Importantly, the implementation date is October 2010 to provide sufficient time for all PEOs to update their software systems to facilitate accurate reporting. 

Marjorie (Midge) Seltzer
Chairperson, BELC

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Message from the Executive Director
Richard “Rick” Morrison

On 3/11/09 the Department of Business and Professional Regulation began accepting criminal background checks solely by electronic submission, through our contracted vendor Person VUE.   Fingerprints will be scanned and processed electronically, improving the efficiency of on all initial controlling persons’ applications.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring that fingerprints have been scanned prior to submitting their applications. The cost for fingerprinting is $56.25, paid directly to Pearson Vue.   The application has been reduced to reflect this change in procedure.

Pearson VUE electronic fingerprinting sites can be located at various convenient locations throughout Florida.  Reservations and payment can be made by visiting the Pearson VUE Web site at www.pearsonvue.com (and selecting ‘Digital Fingerprinting Services’) or by calling Pearson VUE at 1-877-238-8232. If you are located outside of the state of Florida, or if you have any questions regarding the electronic fingerprinting process, please visit http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/emplo/faq.html  or call 850.487.1396

Board Changes:

• John L. Jones was appointed to the board on December 19, 2008, and his term runs through October 31, 2012.  Mr. Jones is the President of Accord Human Resources  He has been an integral part of Accord’s success for the past 14 years.  Mr. Jones is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  He possesses strategic expertise and sound business judgment gained through more than two decades in the PEO industry.  As one of the founders of Accord HR of Florida, he has increased  operations to over $190 million in annualized revenue.  Mr. Jones’ experience gives him impressive insight and understanding of the industry.  Prior to joining Accord, Mr. Jones served as President of Employer’s Choice Insurance Services, an agency specializing in employee benefits and workers’ compensation for PEOs and small businesses. He also currently holds a general lines and life insurance license.  Mr. Jones’ knowledge and experience with every aspect of the PEO industry led him to be the Vice President and Board Member of the Florida Association of Professional Employer Organizations prior to his appointment to the Board of Employee Leasing Companies.  We look forward to his expertise and service.
• Celeste D. Dockery was reappointed to the board on December 19, 2009, and her term runs through October 31, 2009.  The board office welcomes her return to the board and thanks her for her dedicated service.
• The board elected Marjorie “Midge” Seltzer Chair and Abram Finkelstein Vice-Chair during our February 2009 meeting.   We look forward to their strong leadership.

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Helpful Reminders for Licensees:

Critical Dates:

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS:

Each employee leasing company shall submit, not later than 75 days after the end of each calendar quarter, a statement to the Board of Employee Leasing Companies affirming that it is in compliance with Section 468.525(3)(d), Florida Statutes.  The statute requires each employee leasing company to maintain positive working capital and accounting net worth and have adequate reserves to pay, when due, all payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and health insurance premiums, and amounts due under any plan of self-insurance or partial self-insurance.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS:

Each employee leasing company shall submit, not later than 120 days after their fiscal year end, a copy of their current fiscal year-end financial statements, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which shall include a statement of income and retained earnings, balance sheet, statement of changes in financial position (cash flows), and applicable footnotes.

The financial statements must reflect positive working capital and positive accounting net worth, as required in Section 468.525(3), Florida Statutes.

Financial statements which are not audited must be accompanied by a completed Form DBPR EL 4503, entitled Employee Leasing Company Attestation to Financial Statement, as required in Rule 61G7-5.003, Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and should meet the requirements of a reviewed financial statement as set forth in Rule 61G7-5.0032, FAC.  You may access the form online at

http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/emplo/forms.html.

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT ON GROSS FLORIDA PAYROLL:

As required by Section 468.526(3), Florida statute, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall assess each employee leasing company and each employee leasing company group an annual assessment fee based upon the preceding calendar year’s gross Florida payroll of the company or group.  The assessment shall be due on April 1 of each year and shall become delinquent after April 30.

An assessment form will be mailed to your address of record approximately 30 days prior to the assessment due date.

BIENNIUM LICENSE RENEWAL:

Please be advised that licenses for employee leasing companies and controlling persons must be renewed before March 1, of even years.  A renewal notice will be mailed to your address of record approximately 60 days prior to the renewal date.

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New License Application Center

In our continuing effort to provide better customer service, we have improved our web site home page and created a user-friendly application center. We hope that these changes will make it easier for you to do business with us. The new features are intended to make the Web site more user-friendly and provide simple ways for our customers to find licensing information and requirements through detailed descriptions and helpful checklists.

The changes to the Web site include: new application features with a full list of license types, a list of detailed license requirements before each application, separate entry points for applications and renewals, and a new page called "What Services Require a DBPR License," which is designed to assist consumers with determining what services require a DBPR license.

Visit us on MyFloridaLicense.com.

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eNewsroom

Check out DBPR's eNewsroom, your source for important Department news and information. Here, you can watch public service announcements, read news releases, and subscribe to and flip through our publications.

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Visit us on the Web at www.MyFloridaLicense.com