Any person legally authorized to practice public accounting in this Commonwealth at the time this act or any amendment of this act takes effect shall thereafter possess the same rights and privileges as persons to whom certificates of certified public accountant shall be issued under this act, subject, however, to the power of the board, as provided in this act, to discipline any such person for any of the causes set forth in this act and subject to the power of the board to provide for and to require permits to practice.
63 P.S. § 9.7