About Us
The Washington State Board of Accountancy is a consumer protection agency that initially qualifies and continues to monitor the professional performance and ethical behavior of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), CPA-Inactive certificate holders, CPA firms, and non-licensee CPA firm owners, serving individual and enterprise consumers in Washington State.
Unlike most state agencies, the Board of Accountancy is not funded by public tax dollars. CPAs, CPA-Inactive certificate holders, CPA firms, non-licensee CPA firm owners and CPA examination applicants pay an administrative fee or reimburse examination costs to cover all of the agency’s operating expenses.
We are a very small agency with only 9 employees. We are here to protect the public interest and provide the following services:
- Test approximately 2,000 candidates each year.
- Evaluate the initial qualifications of applicants and firms and approve or deny licenses.
- Review and monitor the continuing qualifications and performance of the almost 14,500 individuals and 2,000 firms licensed in Washington.
- Provide an electronic means for individuals and firms to renew their credentials, change their address, amend firm ownership information and pay fees via ACH or bank card.
- Investigate an average 200 complaints received and probable violations of the Public Accountancy Act discovered per year.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other State Boards of Accountancy regarding CPAs performing work across state borders.
- Maintain a statewide network of volunteers who assist in evaluating the work of CPA firms for compliance with professional standards.
- Answer questions from CPAs, certificate holders, firm owners and staff, future CPAs and CPA clients.
More agency information: