Professional registers
Accountant registers compared: CPAs, chartered accountants and auditors
Short answer
- US boards of accountancy in CPAverify
- 55 1
- CPAverify cost
- Free and open to the public 1
- UK audit regulator
- Financial Reporting Council 2
- UK Recognised Supervisory Bodies listed
- ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, Chartered Accountants Ireland 3
- UK protected titles in audit
- Registered auditor, chartered accountant, chartered certified accountant 2
Registers at a glance
| Register | Jurisdiction | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| CPAverify.org 1 | United States 1 | Licensed CPAs and CPA firms, with markers of enforcement, non-compliance or disciplinary action 1 |
| Register of Statutory Auditors 3 | United Kingdom 3 | Registered audit firms, the supervisory body that registered them and linked individuals 3 |
| ICAEW directory 4 | ICAEW members and firms 4 | Official online directory of ICAEW Chartered Accountants and firms 4 |
| ICAEW membership verification 5 | ICAEW members 5 | Free online verification options and formal confirmation letters 5 |
United States: CPA licences
CPA licences in the US are issued by state boards of accountancy. CPAverify.org describes itself as a CPA lookup tool populated by official state regulatory data sent from boards of accountancy to a central database 1. It calls itself the first single-source national database of licensed CPAs and CPA firms, covering the 55 boards of accountancy 1.
The entries carry markers of enforcement, non-compliance or disciplinary action 1. Where a marker appears, ask the board that holds the licence for the full record. The database is free and open to the public 1.
United Kingdom: auditors
The GOV.UK Regulated Professions Register lists statutory audit as a licence-type regulation, with statutory audit as the reserved activity 2. The Financial Reporting Council is the UK's audit regulator and competent authority 2. The legislation listed is the Companies Act 2006 and the Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016 2.
To register as a statutory auditor, a person must be a member of a Recognised Supervisory Body and meet its registration requirements, including an appropriate audit qualification 2. The Register of Statutory Auditors lists four such bodies: ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA and Chartered Accountants Ireland 3. A search by firm shows which body registered it and the individuals linked to it 3.
United Kingdom: chartered accountants
The Regulated Professions Register lists registered auditor, chartered accountant and chartered certified accountant as protected titles 2. Membership is checked with the institute. ICAEW runs an official online directory and a verification of membership service, with free online options and formal confirmation letters 4,5.
ICAEW lists the statutory regulated services it oversees, including audit, probate and oaths administration and investment business under the designated professional body arrangements 4. ICAEW says firms can apply to it for authorisation as a regulated firm 4.
Other countries
For other countries the method is the same as above. Find the body named on the accountant's letterhead, search its own register, and check whether the person or firm is authorised for the specific service, such as audit 2. Qualifications from abroad do not carry over automatically. The UK register notes that professionals from other countries may have to re-qualify to register as statutory auditors 2.
Common questions
How do I check if someone is a licensed CPA?
Search CPAverify.org, which pools official data from 55 state boards of accountancy, or search the licensing board directly 1.
Who regulates auditors in the UK?
The Financial Reporting Council is the UK's audit regulator and competent authority 2.
How do I check a UK audit firm?
Search the Register of Statutory Auditors, which shows the firm, its supervisory body and linked individuals 3.
Is chartered accountant a protected title in the UK?
The Regulated Professions Register lists chartered accountant among the protected titles for statutory audit 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@thecredentialregistry.com.
Sources
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