PUBLIC ACCOUNTING LICENSURE

Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes.