Division of Certified Public Accounting

MISSION: To promote consumer protection by ensuring that certified public accountants and firms meet and adhere to the statutory requirements for licensure.

Within Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the division is responsible for the regulation of certified public accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms. The division processes applications to sit for the CPA license, original Florida licensure applications, licensure by endorsement applications, reactivation of a delinquent or inactive CPA license, temporary permit applications, accountancy firm licensure and continuing education reporting forms. In addition, the division provides administrative support to the Board of Accountancy. The Board consists of nine members. Seven members are CPAs and two who are consumer members. The board meets approximately 10 times a year at various locations throughout the state. Meetings are open to the public.

For updates, click Important Information

Deadlines for 2012 Meetings

Apply to be a board member

CPA Customer Satisfaction Survey 2011

Minority Scholarships
To encourage students to remain in school for the fifth year required to obtain a CPA license, a fifth-year minority scholarship program has been established, setting aside $100,000 per year in scholarships. Eligibility criteria for receipt of a scholarship includes at a minimum:

• Financial need
• Ethnicity, gender or racial minority status pursuant to section 288.703(3) F.S.
• Scholastic ability and performance (including the intention of sitting for the CPA exam)
• Completion of 120 credit hours from an accredited institution in Florida
• Florida residency.

The application deadline is June 1st. If requirements are met and money is available, applicants may be eligible for scholarships from $3,000 to $6,000 per semester, which are awarded for a maximum of two semesters. An application form may be downloaded by clicking here or by writing to the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) at 240 NW 76th Drive, Suite A, Gainesville, FL, 32607-6656.

Address Changes
To ensure that you receive correspondence from the Board, applicants and licensees are responsible for making sure that we have a current mailing address for you. You can change your mailing address online at http://www.myfloridalicense.com. If you use a post office box as a mailing address, you must also provide a location address. Location addresses can not be submitted online, but must be submitted using the Request for Name or Address Change Form (DBPR-0080-1), available at the forms center. The completed form must be sent to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783, or via fax to 850.487.9529.

Selecting A Certified Public Accountant
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a person who has met the requirements of Florida state laws and has been issued a license to practice public accounting by the Florida Board of Accountancy.

Only persons who are licensed can legally call themselves a Certified Public Accountant. As practitioners, CPAs provide accounting, auditing, tax, financial planning and management consulting services.

When you choose a CPA the following suggestions may be helpful:

• Check the license status from our online search at http://www.myfloridalicense.com or call the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.
• Specifically, make sure the license is current, and check for any disciplinary actions against the licensee.
• Check to see if the license is active and how long the individual has been licensed.
• Interview the prospective CPA either by telephone or in person. Find out what type of accounting work they typically perform. Compare the CPA's experience to your service needs.
• Ask about the office hours of the CPA; determine whether the office is open year round; inquire if the CPA is available to take telephone inquiries.

It is important to make certain before any work is done by the CPA that you receive an engagement letter detailing the work to be performed for you, who specifically will be performing the work, and cost of the services.

Reporting Requirement For Criminal Conviction

As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction. The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009. A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation. To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to the department.

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Links to the State Boards of Accountancy