Hiring a CPA is an important decision for your business. Whether you need tax preparation, accounting, financial planning, or strategic financial guidance, you want to know that the professional you hire is properly licensed and in good standing.
Fortunately, Texas makes it relatively easy to verify a CPA’s license before you become a client.
Why Should You Verify a CPA’s License?
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed professional. In Texas, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) regulates CPAs and CPA firms and provides a public license lookup system.
Checking a CPA’s credentials can help you confirm that:
- The person is licensed as a CPA in Texas.
- Their license is current and active.
- The name and license information match the professional you are considering.
- There are disciplinary or enforcement indicators associated with the license, when applicable.
- A CPA firm is properly licensed when you are hiring a firm rather than an individual CPA.
The TSBPA’s mission includes protecting the public by ensuring Texas CPAs have the necessary education, skills, and capabilities to practice public accountancy competently.
How to Verify a CPA License in Texas
Step 1: Visit the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
The safest place to verify a Texas CPA is the official Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) website.
The Board provides an online License Lookup tool for consumers and the general public.
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy License Lookup
Step 2: Search for the CPA
The TSBPA’s individual license lookup allows you to search using information such as:
- License ID
- Last name
- First name
- Certificate last name
- City
- County
- State
- ZIP code
If you have the CPA’s license number, that’s generally a useful starting point. If you don’t, you can search by the person’s name and narrow the results using location information.
Step 3: Review the License Status
Once you find the CPA, review the information provided by the Board.
Pay particular attention to the license status and other information associated with the license. The TSBPA states that its license lookup tools can be used to verify whether a CPA’s license is current and active and can identify disciplinary actions or enforcement markers.
If the information doesn’t match what the CPA has provided to you, ask questions before moving forward.
Don’t Forget to Verify the CPA Firm
If you are hiring an accounting or CPA firm rather than an individual CPA, you can also verify the firm’s license.
The TSBPA provides a separate CPA Firm Lookup where you can search by:
- Firm license ID
- Firm name
- City
- State
- ZIP code
This is particularly important when a business operates under a firm name that differs from the individual CPA’s name.
What Else Should You Consider When Hiring a CPA?
A valid CPA license is an important starting point, but it shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision.
Consider asking potential CPAs:
Do you work with businesses like mine?
A CPA who understands your industry and business model may be better positioned to identify relevant accounting, tax, and financial planning opportunities.
What services do you provide?
Some CPAs primarily focus on tax preparation, while others provide broader services such as accounting, financial planning, business consulting, or Fractional CFO services.
Make sure the CPA’s services match your current needs and future goals.
How proactive are you about tax planning?
Tax preparation looks at what happened during the previous tax year. Tax planning focuses on what you can do throughout the year to improve your future tax position.
If tax strategy is important to you, ask how frequently the CPA communicates with clients outside of tax season.
How will we communicate?
Ask whether communication will take place by phone, email, video conference, or in person and how quickly you can expect responses.
Good communication can be just as important as technical expertise.
What experience do you have?
Ask about the CPA’s education, professional experience, industries served, and areas of specialization.
Credentials and experience can help you determine whether the CPA is equipped to address your particular financial needs.
A CPA License Is Only the Beginning
Verifying a CPA’s license is one of the easiest ways to perform basic due diligence before hiring a financial professional. But the right CPA should also have the experience, services, communication style, and strategic perspective that fit your business.
For business owners, the ideal relationship can go beyond preparing a tax return. A strong CPA can become a trusted financial partner who helps you understand your numbers, plan for taxes, manage finances, and make better business decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a CPA is licensed in Texas?
Use the official Texas State Board of Public Accountancy License Lookup. You can search for an individual CPA by name or license ID and review the license information provided by the Board.
How do I verify a CPA firm’s license in Texas?
The TSBPA provides a separate Firm Lookup tool that allows you to search for a Texas CPA firm by firm name, license ID, city, state, or ZIP code.
Can I check whether a Texas CPA has disciplinary actions?
The TSBPA’s license lookup tools can provide information about disciplinary actions or enforcement markers associated with a license.
Is checking a CPA’s license enough before hiring them?
License verification is an important first step, but you should also consider the CPA’s experience, services, industry expertise, communication, fees, and ability to address your specific business needs.
Looking for a CPA in Texas?
If you’re searching for a CPA who can provide more than tax preparation, Daniel Huereca CPA, PLLC provides integrated accounting, tax planning and preparation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), and Fractional CFO services for small and medium-sized businesses throughout Texas.
Daniel Huereca, MBA, CPA combines more than 20 years of finance, accounting, and business control experience with a strategic, multicultural approach to helping business owners achieve greater financial clarity and stability.
Ready to discuss your business’s financial needs? Contact Daniel Huereca CPA, PLLC to schedule a consultation by calling (972) 835-6405.