In re F. X. Duffy & Co.
F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and its engagement partner Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA, willfully violated Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by issuing audit reports for public company Sentry Builders Corp. in 2003 and 2004 while unregistered with the PCAOB, leading to a SEC cease-and-desist order and professional sanctions.
F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA, violated Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by preparing and issuing audit reports for Sentry Builders Corp.’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years despite not being registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), a requirement effective October 22, 2003. Duffy, as the engagement partner, participated in the issuance of these noncompliant reports, causing the firm’s violation. The SEC imposed a cease-and-desist order and censured both respondents, prohibiting them from practicing before the Commission unless their firm is properly PCAOB-registered and proof is submitted to the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant.
F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and its engagement partner, Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA, willfully violated Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by issuing audit reports for Sentry Builders Corp. for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003 and 2004, despite not being registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), a requirement that became effective on October 22, 2003. Sentry Builders, a public company registered with the SEC, included these audit reports in its Form 10-K filings on August 5, 2004, falsely certifying compliance with federal auditing standards. Duffy, as the responsible partner, actively participated in the preparation and issuance of the noncompliant reports, thereby causing the firm’s violation. Without admitting or denying the allegations, the respondents consented to a settlement with the SEC, which resulted in a cease-and-desist order and formal censure. Both the firm and Duffy are prohibited from appearing or practicing before the SEC unless they are associated with a PCAOB-registered firm and submit proof of registration to the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant. The SEC also barred them from receiving any further compensation from Sentry Builders related to the fraudulent audits. This case underscores the SEC’s enforcement of PCAOB registration mandates as a critical safeguard for audit integrity in public markets.
Extracted insights
- company f. x. duffy & co., inc.
- person sentry builders
- agency the securities and exchange commission
- The Securities and Exchange Commission deems it appropriate that cease-and-desist proceedings be instituted against F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA
- The Securities and Exchange Commission has determined to accept Respondents' Offer of Settlement
- The Commission finds that Respondents have submitted an Offer of Settlement
- F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation and accounting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. audited Sentry Builders Corp.’s financial statements for the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years ended July 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively
- Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA is a certified public accountant licensed in the state of Pennsylvania since 1992
- Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA was the engagement partner in connection with the Firm’s audit of Sentry Builders’ financial statements for the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years
- Sentry Builders is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Huntington, New York
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Release No. 56411 / September 13, 2007
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ENFORCEMENT
Release No. 2691/ September 13, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-12772
In the Matter of
F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and
Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA,
Respondents.
ORDER INSTITUTING PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND-
DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 4C AND 21C OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 102(e) OF THE
COMMISSION’S RULES OF PRACTICE,
MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING
REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE-
AND-DESIST ORDER
I.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate that cease-
and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and Kevin
Patrick Duffy, CPA (collectively “Respondents”) pursuant to Section 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and that public administrative proceedings be, and
hereby are, instituted against F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. pursuant to Section 4C
1
of the Exchange Act
and Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.
2
1
Section 4C provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure any person, or deny, temporarily or permanently, to any person the
privilege of appearing or practicing before the Commission in any way, if that person is found . . .
to have willfully violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of, any provision of the
securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder.
2
Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure a person or deny, temporarily or permanently, the privilege of
appearing or practicing before it in any way to any person who is found . . . to have willfully
violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of any provision of the Federal securities laws
or the rules and regulations thereunder.
II.
In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondents have submitted an Offer
of Settlement (“Offer”), which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose
of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to
which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as
to the Commission’s jurisdiction over them and the subject matter of these proceedings, which are
admitted, Respondents consent to the entry of this Order Instituting Public Administrative and
Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings, and Imposing
Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.
III.
On the basis of this Order and Respondents’ Offer, the Commission finds
3
that:
A. RESPONDENTS
1. F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. (the “Firm”) is a Pennsylvania corporation and
accounting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Firm audited Sentry Builders
Corp.’s (“Sentry Builders”) financial statements for the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years
ended July 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
2. Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA, (“Duffy”), 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a
certified public accountant licensed in the state of Pennsylvania since 1992. Duffy was the
engagement partner in connection with the Firm’s audit of Sentry Builders’ financial statements for
the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.
B. FACTS
1. Sentry Builders is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Huntington, New
York. During the relevant period, Sentry Builders’ common stock was registered with the
Commission pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. For its fiscal year ended July 31,
2003, Sentry Builders reported no revenues and no assets.
2. Sentry Builders has at all relevant times been an issuer as defined by the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”).
3. The Firm audited Sentry Builders’ 2003 and 2004 financial statements included in
Sentry Builders’ annual report for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, respectively, on Form 10-K, both
filed with the Commission on August 5, 2004. As part of the audits, the Firm prepared and issued
two separate audit reports dated June 18, 2004 (the “Sentry Builders audit reports”), which the
company included in its 2003 and 2004 Form 10-Ks.
The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondents’ Offer of Settlement and are not binding on any
other person or entity in this or any other proceeding.
2
3
4. At the time the Firm issued the Sentry Builders audit reports, it was not registered
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “Board”), as required by Section
102(a) of the Act.
5. Duffy was the engagement partner on the Firm’s audit of Sentry Builders’ 2003 and
2004 financial statements. Duffy participated in the preparation and issuance of the Sentry
Builders audit reports.
C. VIOLATIONS
1. Section 102(a) of the Act provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person that is
not a registered public accounting firm to prepare or issue, or to participate in the preparation or
issuance of, any audit report with respect to any issuer.”
4
2. The provisions of Section 102(a) of the Act became effective on October 22, 2003.
5
3. Based on the conduct described above, the Firm willfully
6
violated Section 102(a)
of the Act.
4. Based on the conduct described above, Duffy caused the Firm’s violation of
Section 102(a) of the Act.
D. FINDINGS
Based on the foregoing, the Commission finds that the Firm willfully violated Section
102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and that Duffy caused the Firm’s violation of Section
102(a) of the Act.
E. UNDERTAKING
Respondents have undertaken not to request, demand, or accept, directly or indirectly, any
compensation from Sentry Builders in connection with the audit work associated with the Sentry
Builders audit reports. In determining whether to accept the Offer, the Commission has considered
this undertaking.
4
A violation of the Act or any rule that the Board issues under the Act is treated for all purposes in the same
manner as a violation of the Exchange Act, including with respect to penalties. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 15
U.S.C.A. § 7202(b)(1) (West 2002).
5
Section 102(a) became effective “[b]eginning 180 days after the date of the determination of the
Commission under Section 101(d)” of the Act that the Board was prepared to undertake its statutory responsibilities.
The Commission made the required determination on April 25, 2003. See
Order Regarding Section 101(d) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Securities Act Release No. 8223, Exchange Act Release No. 47746, 2003 WL
1956164 (Apr. 25, 2003).
6
“Willfully” as used in this Order means intentionally committing the act that constitutes the violation.
There is no requirement that the actor also be aware that he is violating a rule or statute. See Wonsover v. SEC, 205
F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000); Tager v. SEC, 344 F.2d 5, 8 (2d Cir. 1965).
3
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate to impose the sanctions
agreed to in Respondents’ Offer.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
1. F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc.
A. The Firm shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations
and any future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. The Firm is censured.
C. The Firm may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant
provided that:
1. It is registered with the Board in accordance with the Act, and such
registration continues to be effective; and
2. It has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the
Chief Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the Firm that its registration application has been
approved.
2. Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA
A. Duffy shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and
any future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. Duffy may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant
provided that:
1. The public accounting firm with which he is associated is
registered with the Board in accordance with the Act and such registration continues to be
effective; and
2. He has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the
Chief Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the public accounting firm with which he is
associated that its registration application has been approved.
By the Commission.
Nancy M. Morris
Secretary
4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Release No. 56411 / September 13, 2007
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ENFORCEMENT
Release No. 2691/ September 13, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-12772
In the Matter of
F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and
Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA,
Respondents.
ORDER INSTITUTING PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND
DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 4C AND 21C OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 102(e) OF THE
COMMISSION’S RULES OF PRACTICE,
MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING
REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE
AND-DESIST ORDER
I.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate that cease-
and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. and Kevin
Patrick Duffy, CPA (collectively “Respondents”) pursuant to Section 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and that public administrative proceedings be, and
hereby are, instituted against F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. pursuant to Section 4C1 of the Exchange Act
and Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.2
1 Section 4C provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure any person, or deny, temporarily or permanently, to any person the
privilege of appearing or practicing before the Commission in any way, if that person is found . . .
to have willfully violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of, any provision of the
securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder.
2 Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure a person or deny, temporarily or permanently, the privilege of
appearing or practicing before it in any way to any person who is found . . . to have willfully
violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of any provision of the Federal securities laws
or the rules and regulations thereunder.
II.
In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondents have submitted an Offer
of Settlement (“Offer”), which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose
of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to
which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as
to the Commission’s jurisdiction over them and the subject matter of these proceedings, which are
admitted, Respondents consent to the entry of this Order Instituting Public Administrative and
Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings, and Imposing
Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.
III.
On the basis of this Order and Respondents’ Offer, the Commission finds3 that:
A. RESPONDENTS
1. F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc. (the “Firm”) is a Pennsylvania corporation and
accounting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Firm audited Sentry Builders
Corp.’s (“Sentry Builders”) financial statements for the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years
ended July 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
2. Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA, (“Duffy”), 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a
certified public accountant licensed in the state of Pennsylvania since 1992. Duffy was the
engagement partner in connection with the Firm’s audit of Sentry Builders’ financial statements for
the company’s 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.
B. FACTS
1. Sentry Builders is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Huntington, New
York. During the relevant period, Sentry Builders’ common stock was registered with the
Commission pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. For its fiscal year ended July 31,
2003, Sentry Builders reported no revenues and no assets.
2. Sentry Builders has at all relevant times been an issuer as defined by the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”).
3. The Firm audited Sentry Builders’ 2003 and 2004 financial statements included in
Sentry Builders’ annual report for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, respectively, on Form 10-K, both
filed with the Commission on August 5, 2004. As part of the audits, the Firm prepared and issued
two separate audit reports dated June 18, 2004 (the “Sentry Builders audit reports”), which the
company included in its 2003 and 2004 Form 10-Ks.
The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondents’ Offer of Settlement and are not binding on any
other person or entity in this or any other proceeding.
2
3
4. At the time the Firm issued the Sentry Builders audit reports, it was not registered
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “Board”), as required by Section
102(a) of the Act.
5. Duffy was the engagement partner on the Firm’s audit of Sentry Builders’ 2003 and
2004 financial statements. Duffy participated in the preparation and issuance of the Sentry
Builders audit reports.
C. VIOLATIONS
1. Section 102(a) of the Act provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person that is
not a registered public accounting firm to prepare or issue, or to participate in the preparation or
issuance of, any audit report with respect to any issuer.”4
2. The provisions of Section 102(a) of the Act became effective on October 22, 2003.5
3. Based on the conduct described above, the Firm willfully6 violated Section 102(a)
of the Act.
4. Based on the conduct described above, Duffy caused the Firm’s violation of
Section 102(a) of the Act.
D. FINDINGS
Based on the foregoing, the Commission finds that the Firm willfully violated Section
102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and that Duffy caused the Firm’s violation of Section
102(a) of the Act.
E. UNDERTAKING
Respondents have undertaken not to request, demand, or accept, directly or indirectly, any
compensation from Sentry Builders in connection with the audit work associated with the Sentry
Builders audit reports. In determining whether to accept the Offer, the Commission has considered
this undertaking.
4 A violation of the Act or any rule that the Board issues under the Act is treated for all purposes in the same
manner as a violation of the Exchange Act, including with respect to penalties. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 15
U.S.C.A. § 7202(b)(1) (West 2002).
5 Section 102(a) became effective “[b]eginning 180 days after the date of the determination of the
Commission under Section 101(d)” of the Act that the Board was prepared to undertake its statutory responsibilities.
The Commission made the required determination on April 25, 2003. See Order Regarding Section 101(d) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Securities Act Release No. 8223, Exchange Act Release No. 47746, 2003 WL
1956164 (Apr. 25, 2003).
6 “Willfully” as used in this Order means intentionally committing the act that constitutes the violation.
There is no requirement that the actor also be aware that he is violating a rule or statute. See Wonsover v. SEC, 205
F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000); Tager v. SEC, 344 F.2d 5, 8 (2d Cir. 1965).
3
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate to impose the sanctions
agreed to in Respondents’ Offer.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
1. F. X. Duffy & Co., Inc.
A. The Firm shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations
and any future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. The Firm is censured.
C. The Firm may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant
provided that:
1. It is registered with the Board in accordance with the Act, and such
registration continues to be effective; and
2. It has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the
Chief Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the Firm that its registration application has been
approved.
2. Kevin Patrick Duffy, CPA
A. Duffy shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and
any future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. Duffy may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant
provided that:
1. The public accounting firm with which he is associated is
registered with the Board in accordance with the Act and such registration continues to be
effective; and
2. He has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the
Chief Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the public accounting firm with which he is
associated that its registration application has been approved.
By the Commission.
Nancy M. Morris
Secretary
4