sub createNewAccount {

  my ($self, $fields) = @_;
    # Verify required fields.
    $self->_validateUsername($fields->{_USERNAME});
    $self->_validateEmailAddress($fields->{_EMAIL_ADDRESS});

    # Populate other required fields.
    $fields->{_PASSWORD} = $self->_makePassword();
    $fields->{_CREATION_DATE} = 'now()';
  }

  $self->sqlInsert('user_accounts',$fields);	
  $self->sqlCommit;
}