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 certificateholders, 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 certificateholders, CPA firms, non-licensee CPA firm owners and CPA examination applicants pay administrative fees which cover all of the agency’s operating expenses.

We are a small agency with only nine employees. We are here to protect the public interest. Some of the services we provide are:

• Provide consumer alerts and public protection information.
• Test approximately 2,000 Washington 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 over 21,000 individuals and 1,500 firms licensed in Washington.
• Provide an electronic means for individuals and firms to maintain and renew their credentials, change their address, amend firm ownership information, and pay fees via bank card.
• Investigate complaints and probable violations of the Public Accountancy Act.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other State Boards of Accountancy regarding CPAs performing work across state borders.
• Answer questions from CPAs, certificateholders, firm owners and staff, future CPAs, and CPA clients.