FICPA Listserv/Discussion Board Policies

These terms of use applies to all FICPA electronic communication mediums, herein referred to as “electronic communication mediums,” and defined to include, but not be limited to, FICPA Listservs, blogs, and Wikis. By participating in FICPA electronic communication mediums, you agree to the following terms of use. 

FICPA electronic communication mediums were created to share CPA-related information and experience with other FICPA members in a professional manner.  This is not an area for posting job announcements, marketing products or soliciting resumes.  There are no extra fees or charges associated with using this service.

Please remember: This is a PUBLIC FORUM. Your comments/posts may be seen by Internet users around the world, and you are responsible for your comments/posts.

When posting comments on FICPA electronic communication mediums, please keep in mind that YOU CAN BE HELD LEGALLY LIABLE FOR WHAT YOU WRITE. For example, if you post defamatory comments about someone, you may be held legally accountable for them.

The FICPA has sole discretion in determining which posts are appropriate for inclusion on its electronic communication mediums and reserves the right (but disclaims any obligation) to remove from the Listservs any message the FICPA deems inappropriate and to exclude any participant the FICPA feels has posted inappropriate messages or materials.

Collecting e-mail addresses from electronic communication mediums for the purpose of solicitation or "spamming" will not be tolerated. Persons found in violation of this policy may have their access to FICPA electronic communication mediums blocked.

FICPA electronic communication mediums are designed to provide a forum for exchange and dialogue. Participants, however, are encouraged to report abuse to listservabuse@ficpa.org. Should you have a question or comment, please contact the FICPA directly. If needed, the FICPA Sections staff (sections@ficpa.org) will provide contact information for the appropriate staff person.

By participating in FICPA electronic communication mediums, you accept these conditions and agree not to knowingly engage in any unauthorized or illegal discussions or violate the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and to adhere to FICPA policies when using this service, including but not limited to:

1. Discussion of fees is prohibited. Please see the FICPA's official Antitrust Policy for more details.
2. Discussions that could reasonably be construed as a violation of Federal, state or international law prohibiting anti-competitive activities or unfair trade practices are prohibited. For example, participants should not discuss salary, wage, or benefit pay by a company or industry, since such a discussion might fall outside of the FTC/Dept. of Justice safe harbor provisions for sharing of salary, wage, and benefits information.
3. Advertising services, soliciting business or distributing other self-promoting material through the forum is not permitted.
4. Posting job announcements or resumes, or distributing other self-promoting material through the forum is not permitted.
5. The FICPA disclaims all warranties relating to information posted in any electronic communication mediums, whether posted by the Institute or any third party; this policy includes all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness.
6. The FICPA does not regularly review any electronic communication medium; however, any unauthorized or illegal use that is detected by or reported to FICPA staff may result in immediate exclusion from all electronic communication mediums available through the FICPA web site. Participants who suspect that unauthorized or illegal activity is occurring in an FICPA electronic communication medium are recommended to report such activity to listservabuse@ficpa.org.
7. Participants are encouraged to use these forums for professional and informational purposes to benefit their practice. The FICPA will not editorially control postings; however, the Institute reserves the right to delete any messages that, in its sole discretion, are inappropriate for the Web site including those that:

8. When posting information in any FICPA electronic communication mediums, the member owns the copyright material or has received permission to use and disseminate it from the copyright owner. Additionally, the member grants the FICPA and other forum participants non-exclusive right and license to display, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, print and use such information or material.
9. Participants should not provide any security sensitive information in the forums. Encryption and/or other security methods are not employed here.
10. The information contained within this site is posted for your informational purposes only. Consequences that result from relying on information provided within FICPA electronic communication mediums are the responsibility of the participant. The FICPA does not endorse, recommend or guarantee the accuracy or validity of any of the information provided in these electronic communication mediums.
11. Participants should not impersonate any person, or communicate under a false name or one that you are not authorized to use.

You agree to release Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its advertisers from any liability arising from messages posted by anyone on any FICPA electronic communication mediums and you agree to release, hold harmless, indemnify and defend the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its advertisers from any and all legal or civil actions and penalties and costs, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, arising from messages you have posted on FICPA electronic communication mediums.

WARNING: Files sent via the chat or through the board are not screened by anti-virus software. For your protection, you should not open attachments from users you do not know that you can trust. In addition, your computer should have anti-virus software to detect any Internet born viruses or malicious code.

These terms of use may be modified at any time by the FICPA without liability to you, any other user, or any third party.  Please refer to these terms periodically to be apprised of any changes.