West Palm Beach, FL-based accounting firm Beckles & Co. agreed to a censure and a $35,000 fine from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for repeatedly failing to make required disclosures about who worked on audits.
According to the disciplinary report, which was released on Dec. 4, the firm repeatedly failed to timely file required Form APs, in violation of PCAOB Rule 3211, Auditor Reporting of Certain Audit Participants. Specifically, for nine different 2023 and 2024 public company audits, Beckles failed to file the Form APs until late August 2025, after PCAOB staff had contacted the firm.
For each audit report that they issue for a public company, PCAOB-registered accounting firms are required to file a Form AP. Through this form, accounting firms disclose key information specific to the audit, such as the engagement partner responsible for the audit, details about the audit report, and the participation of other accounting firms in the audit.
Form APs must be filed by the 35th day after the date the audit report is first included in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Disclosures made on Form AP help investors, audit committees, and other stakeholders know who led specific audits for the firm and whether any other firms were involved in those audits, according to the audit regulator.
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In addition to the censure and fine, Beckles agreed to comply with its policies and procedures directed toward ensuring compliance with PCAOB requirements for reporting audit participants.
The order states:
The Firm has established and implemented the following changes to its policies and procedures for the purpose of providing the Firm with reasonable assurance of compliance with PCAOB requirements for reporting audit participants.
A. The Firm has implemented updated guidance and policies directed toward ensuring compliance with PCAOB Rule 3211.
B. The Firm’s updated guidance and policies include:
i. designating a compliance officer who will oversee PCAOB filings and maintain accountability for timely submissions;
ii. utilizing a compliance calendar to track filing deadlines to provide reasonable assurance of timely submissions;
iii. the compliance officer utilizing a compliance log to document the following information relating to ensuring compliance with PCAOB reporting requirements: (1) the filing due date, (2) the Firm’s responsible personnel, and (3) confirmation of the submission; and
iv. semi-annually auditing of the compliance process by the Firm’s Managing Partner to provide reasonable assurance of adherence to the Firm’s policies.
C. The Firm has communicated this updated guidance and policies to relevant personnel. The Firm has also updated its policies to require annual trainings on PCAOB reporting requirements and related Firm procedures. Further, the Firm will maintain attendance records documenting that partners and staff have performed the annual training on PCAOB reporting requirements and related Firm procedures.
Firms or individuals wishing to report suspected misconduct by auditors, or to self-report possible misconduct, can visit the PCAOB Tips and Referrals page.
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