Verify CPA Licenses at verify.tn.gov
Thursday, March 15, 2012 | 09:05am
NASHVILLE- With about a month left to file income tax returns with the IRS, many Tennesseans will turn to professionals to handle their last-minute task. Remember that not everyone who claims to be a Certified Public Accountant actually is one.
“It’s very simple,” says Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Our department’s Board of Accountancy protects the public interest by ensuring that people who claim special competence in accountancy or who offer assurance regarding financial statement presentation have demonstrated their qualifications to do so. The quickest way to verify that is to visit the TDCI license database, verify.tn.gov.”
Users who visit verify.tn.gov must type in two random security words before being able to access the database. Once they have access, they can perform searches for names, geographical location and other fields. Users also may search a variety of professions by using a drop-down menu. Verify.tn.gov is also extremely helpful for verifying the license status of home improvement contractors, who also tend to be very active in soliciting business in the spring, particularly after storms.
Tennesseans may contact the Board of Accountancy by calling 888-453-6150 or by e-mailing accountancy.board@tn.gov. The Board for Licensing Contractors may be reached by calling 800-544-7693 or by e-mailing contractors.home-improvement@tn.gov. Staffers at those boards will be happy to assist in verifying license statuses. Remember: An informed hiring choice is always the best choice.
The Board of Accountancy and the Board for Licensing Contractors are regulatory boards of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/, @TNCommerceInsur (Twitter), http://on.fb.me/uFQwUZ (Facebook), http://bit.ly/ry1GyX (YouTube)