Ark. Code Ann. § 17-12-102: Purpose

It is the policy of this state, and the purpose of this chapter, to promote the dependability of information which is used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing the status or performance of commercial and noncommercial enterprises, whether public or private. The public interest requires:

(1) That persons attesting as experts in accountancy to the reliability or fairness of presentation of such information be qualified in fact to do so;

(2) That a public authority competent to prescribe and assess the qualifications of public accountants be established; and

(3) That the attestation of financial information by persons professing expertise in accountancy be reserved to persons who demonstrate their ability and fitness to observe and apply the standards of the accounting profession.