Virginia Law

A. Only a licensed firm can provide attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia. However, this shall not affect the privilege of a person who is not licensed to include a statement on financial statements indicating that no assurance is provided on the financial statements, to say that financial statements have been compiled, or to use the compilation language, as prescribed by subsections B and C of § 54.1-4401.

B. A firm that provides attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia shall obtain a Virginia license if such firm's principal place of business is in Virginia.

C. A firm whose principal place of business is not in Virginia is not required to obtain a Virginia license but may provide attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia if the following provisions are met:

1. The firm holds the license of another state and can lawfully provide attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities in the state where its principal place of business is located; and

2. The firm complies with subsection D; and

3. The firm's personnel working on the engagement either (i) hold a Virginia license or (ii) hold the license of another state and comply with the substantial equivalency provisions of § 54.1-4411; or

4. The firm's personnel working on the engagement are under the supervision of a person who either (i) holds a Virginia license or (ii) holds the license of another state and complies with the substantial equivalency provisions of § 54.1-4411.

D. For a firm to obtain and hold a Virginia license:

1. As determined on a firm-wide basis:

a. At least 51 percent of the owners of the firm shall be licensees, trustees of an eligible employee stock ownership plan as defined in § 13.1-543, or a firm that meets this requirement; and

b. At least 51 percent of the voting equity interest in the firm shall be owned by persons who are licensees, by trustees of an eligible employee stock ownership plan as defined in § 13.1-543, or by a firm that meets this requirement.

If the death, retirement, or departure of an owner causes either of these requirements not to be met, the requirement shall be met within one year after the death, retirement, or departure of the owner.

2. The Board shall prescribe requirements concerning the hours that owners who are not licensees work in the firm and may prescribe other requirements for those persons.

3. All attest services, compilation services, and financial statement preparation services provided for persons and entities located in Virginia shall be under the supervision of a person who either (i) holds a Virginia license or (ii) holds the license of another state and complies with the substantial equivalency provisions of § 54.1-4411.

4. Any person who releases or authorizes the release of reports on attest services, compilation services, or financial statement preparation services provided for persons or entities located in Virginia shall:

a. Either (i) hold a Virginia license or (ii) hold the license of another state and comply with the substantial equivalency provisions of § 54.1-4411; and

b. Meet any additional requirements the Board prescribes.

5. The firm shall conduct its attest services, compilation services, and financial statement preparation services in conformity with the standards of conduct and practice in § 54.1-4413.3 and regulations promulgated by the Board.

6. If the services provided by the firm are within the scope of the practice-monitoring program of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or its successor, the firm shall enroll in the program or in another practice-monitoring program for attest services, compilation services, and financial statement preparation services that is approved by the Board. In addition, if enrolled the firm shall:

a. Comply with any requirements prescribed by the Board in response to the results of peer reviews; and

b. Participate in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants', or sponsoring organizations', Facilitated State Board Access process, or its successor process, or another process approved by the Board for peer reviews.

7. The name of the firm shall not be false, misleading, or deceptive.

E. The Board shall prescribe the methods and fees for a firm to apply for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a Virginia license.

F. A firm may not use the CPA title in Virginia unless it holds a Virginia license or the license of another state as permitted in subsection C.

2007, c. 804; 2014, cc. 40, 755; 2015, c. 287; 2017, c. 403; 2024, cc. 654, 677.