Chapter 1-2 Flashcards
(41 cards)
“Best Practices” include…?
Communicating clearly with the client regarding the terms of the engagement;
Establishing the facts, determining which facts are relevant, evaluating the reasonableness of any assumptions or representations, relating to applicable law to the relevant facts, and arriving at a conclusion supported by the law and the facts;
Advising the client regarding the import of the conclusions reached;
Acting fairly and with integrity in practice before the IRS.
What is a covered opinion?
written advice (including electronic communications) by a practitioner concerning one or more federal tax issues arising from a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to a transaction that, at the time the advice is rendered, the IRS has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and that has been identified by published guidance as a listed transaction.
What are the requirements for a CPA to represent conflicting interests before the IRS?
1) all directly affected parties provide informed written consent that the existence of conflict is known by the practitioner
2) representation is not prohibited by law
3) practitioner reasonably believes that she can provide competent and diligent representation to each client
What is the purpose of the 1933 act?
To regulate initial offering of securities by requiring the filing of a registration statement with the SEC prior to sale or offer to sell.
What are the objectives of 1933 act?
1) disclosure to potential investors of all material information
2) prevention of fraud
What are the qualifications for a seasoned issuer?
1) Filed for at least one year
2) Market capitalization of at least #75 million
What is Form S-X?
Prescribes form and content of financial statements to be included in SEC registration statements.
What are items that must be included in Annual report?
1) Disclosure of causes of material changes in financial statements as a whole.
2) Information on effects of inflation and changing prices on financial statements.
3) Income from continuing operations and cash dividends per shs for past 5 years.
4) Description of accounting policies.
5) Number of shares outstanding.
6) MD&A
Under 1933 act, when is the registration statement effective?
20th day after filing unless SEC accelerates the effective date or requires amendment.
What are some exempt securities under the 1933 act?
- Domestic Govt’s (if used for govt purpose)
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- Domestic banks and Savings & Loans
- Issuers that are fed.regulated common carriers
- receiver/trustee in bankruptcy w/ prior court appr.
- Corp in reorg
- stock dividends/stock splits
- commercial paper < 9 months
What are qualifications for exempt transaction - Rule 147 (intrastate offerings)?
- issuer organized/incorporated in state of issue
- 80% of proceeds are to be used in that state
- 80% of assets and business is done there
- all purchasers/offerees are residents of that state
- No resales to nonresidents for at least 9 months
- steps taken to prevent interstate distribution
Regulation A - Qualifications?
- up to $5 million in securities in 12 month period
without full registration - no limit on number of investors
- issuer files an offering statement (consists of a
notification and offering circular)
Regulation D (general conditions)
- No advertising
- issuer must exercise care to insure purchasers
are not underwriters. Purchasing for own invest. - No resale for two years
- SEC must be notified within 15 days after first
sale
Rule 504 exemption?
- up to $1 million in securities within 12 month
period - No limitation on number or type of purchasers
- no specific disclosure to investors prior to sale
Rule 505 exemption?
- up to $5 million in securities within 12 month
period - No limitation on number of accredited
investors. - No more than 35 non-accredited investors
- If only accredited investors, no disclosure is
required. If ANY non-accredited, ALL investors
must be given at least annual report containing
audited fin stats.
Rule 506 exemption?
- unlimited amount of securities
- No limitation on number of accredited
investors. - No more than 35 non-accredited BUT
SOPHISTICATED investors - If only accredited investors, no disclosure is
required. If ANY non-accredited, ALL investors
must be given at least annual report containing
audited fin stats.
What is an accredited investor?
- institutional investor, bank, or person with at
least $1 million in net worth or $200 annual
income
What are the elements of Section 11 of 1933 act?
ANYONE who signs a registration statement liable for all damages caused by any misstatement of material fact. Person wishing to sue need ONLY show:
1. plaintiff acquired stock
2. plaintiff suffered a loss
3. registration statement contained material
misstatement
What is the statute of limitations of Section 11?
Cause of action must be brought within one year after discovery and three years from offering date.
What is the defense for Section 11?
- Due diligence (followed GAAS) is main
Also, defendant proving that misstatement did not cause the damages
or misstatement not material, or plaintiff knew of untruth or omission at the time of purchase.
What is Section 12?
imposes civil liability if:
1. required registration was not made.
2. if prospectus was not given to all investors
3. if materially false statements were made or
omitted in connection with sales or offers to sell
The immediate purchaser may sue for damages. Need not prove scienter or reliance
What is Section 17?
Imposes criminal penalties against anyone who uses any type of fraud in connection with issuance of a security.
Enforced by SEC / prosecuted by Justice Dept.
What types of companies must register their securities under the 1934 Act?
- Companies whose shares are traded on a
national exchange - Companies that have at least 500 shareholders
in any outstanding class and more than
$10 million in assets
National stock exchanges, brokers and dealers must also register
What information is required in the registration statement for the 1934 act?
- company’s financial statement
- nature of it’s businesses and outstanding
securities - names and compensation of directors, officers,
underwriters, and 10% or more shareholders - outstanding options
- material contracts
Must also include audited financial statements