Legal/Risk Communications with Marketing

New York Legal Language

Communications with Legal on the use of Armanino CPA LLP in NYC in October/November 2023

Fact: 

Armanino LLP is not a licensed accounting firm in the State of New York. Armanino LLP is prohibited from being licensed in the State of New York because of a law that requires New York accounting firms to solely be owned by CPA’s (there is hope this law could be changed any day, but even if the law changed tomorrow it would likely take us months to get Armanino LLP confirmed as registered).  

To that end, an affiliate of Armanino LLP named Armanino CPA LLP, which is licensed in New York, will provide all services requiring licensure—generally “attest” services, but more accurately any services that New York requires be performed by a CPA or licensed accounting firm.  

Our website has been updated under the legal disclaimer that “Armanino CPA LLP is an independent CPA firm licensed in the State of New York that provides audit, attest, and any other services that require a CPA or licensed accounting firm by the State of New York.”

Marketing had originally stated that when we market to NYC we will link to the website which will house the legal disclaimer. Legal Responded with the below:

Legal:

Don't think that is enough where we are targeting New York specifically and know the Board of Accountancy will be paying attention.  Think that is fine generally (nationally), but New York focused efforts need to have the language appear on the page (fine if its an asterisk and small print at the bottom).

Approved Legal Disclaimer: New York audit and attest services are provided by Armanino CPA LLP.

Advertising: The Brand team sought guidance from legal for advertising in NYC area. For all ads that are targeted in NYC area, the legal disclaimer must be added to the ads including Janover Transition ads and National Armanino ads. Below is examples.

Other NYC marketing campaigns to NYC should be vetted through legal for more specific guidance. 

Communications around Copyright Process for Naming – November 2023

From time to time, we know people come directly to Legal to initiate the process to copy right names they have created for products, services, practice areas, etc. In some cases, Marketing has not been involved at all in the process. Naming conventions, established guidelines and standards are part of keeping a consistent holistic brand. So the ask would be that legal notifies marketing when such requests are made and that legal doesn’t proceed with the copy right process until we are all aligned. On 11.29.23 Sarah responded with: Think that is fine. Just so we’re on the same page, I’m not going to turn down the BU leaders if they ask me for same, but happy to help make sure you’re included in the conversation before it goes further.