The Virginia Board of Accountancy's mission is to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth through a regulatory program of licensure and compliance of certified public accountants (CPA) and CPA firms.

To serve all CPAs and CPA candidates in a professional manner, enabling them to contribute to the Commonwealth’s prosperity by entering and progressing in their chosen profession; to provide the most equitable, efficient, and economical means available to limit entry barriers to the marketplace; and to discipline those licensees who do not follow accepted ethical or professional standards, and to protect the public through enforcement actions against unlicensed persons and entities.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy’s commitment to excellence is demonstrated through the agency’s values:

• High ethical standards and integrity
  
  Pledging principled and reputable conduct


• Exceptional customer service
  
  Demonstrating a courteous, empathetic and helpful attitude while assisting each customer to reach their goal


• Honesty and fairness
  
  Acting with openness, impartiality, and consistency


• Teamwork
  
  Excelling mutually, the VBOA will work together with citizens and licensees to achieve the shared vision


• Competence
  
  Striving for proficiency through creativity, innovation and diversity


• Communication
  
  Achieving enhanced understanding between the VBOA, the regulated community and the public through effective communications, interactions, and service


• Continuous improvement
  
  Striving to innovate and to change where change is needed


• Financial stewardship
  
  Maintaining frugality with respect to the expenditures of public funds

The Virginia Board of Accountancy, established in 1910, regulates certified public accountants (CPAs) in Virginia through a program of examination, licensure (individuals and firms), consumer protection (enforcement), continuing professional education audits and peer review oversight.  The VBOA is a non-general fund agency whose revenues are wholly dependent upon the fees established for CPA exam candidates, applicants and licensees. The VBOA may impose penalties on persons or firms using the CPA title in Virginia or firms providing attest services or compilation services or financial statement preparation services to persons or entities located in Virginia, or on a person or firm who does not hold a Virginia license or who does not meet the requirements to use the CPA title in Virginia in accordance with the Code of Virginia statutes and/or Board Regulations. All penalties collected by the VBOA are deposited to the state literary fund and are not available to the VBOA as operating funds.

The VBOA receives its authority from the Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Chapter 44, and regulates the professional practice of CPAs and CPA firms under Board Regulation 18VAC5-22-10 et seq.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy will continue to focus on system improvements and application service efficiencies to enhance service delivery to our customers through the use of secure information technology networks. This includes website functionality, communications and user friendly and secure system navigation.



The VBOA’s priorities include an enhanced service delivery to our customers, the fiscal integrity of on-going operations and an efficient and responsive staffing structure.

Continued investments in technology are necessary to achieve the operational efficiencies necessary for the VBOA to reach its strategic goals and ensure compliance with the Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) Information Security Management Standards. The VBOA currently has several memorandums of understanding (MOU)s in place with VITA to include Information Security Officer (ISO) services, Enterprise Cloud Oversight Services and IT Security Audit Services. As a 100% non-general funded agency, any IT investment project will be dependent upon the revenues collected through fees.

The VBOA has an Authorized Maximum Employment Level (MEL) of 15 with 12 classified positions being currently filled.  As a result of our continued growth and staff size, VBOA hired two wage employee to supplement classified staff in the various departments.

The VBOA seeks to provide training and staff development programs in a manner that best meets the needs of VBOA and its employees.  The VBOA utilizes a performance measure to track the number of employees who have taken the required number of annual training hours.

On August 29, 2007, the Virginia Board of Accountancy entered into a ten-year lease with the Department of General Services (DGS) for office space located in the Perimeter Center Building in Henrico County. Effective May 1, 2019, the term of the lease was extended to January 31, 2027. The VBOA shares the Perimeter Center Building with three other state agencies to facilitate the use of shared space and shared services.

It is anticipated that the impact of mobility will eventually affect the number of licensees in Virginia - whereas all 50 states and five additional jurisdictions, including Guam, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands, now allow licensed CPAs in one state or jurisdiction, to practice in another state or jurisdiction without having to obtain a CPA license in that state or jurisdiction. This arrangement is available to CPAs if the reciprocal state is determined to be substantially equivalent in the areas of education, examination and experience. In addition, it is anticipated that an aging CPA workforce will eventually decrease the number of licensed CPAs in Virginia. The 2019 AICPA Trends Report also reported a decline in the demad for accounting graduates which may eventually affect the number of licensees nationwide. 

The Virginia Board of Accountancy is a non-general fund agency and is financially dependent on fees collected from applicants and licensees. The VBOA has two special revenue funds; an Operating Fund and a Trust Fund which can be used to pay for the study, research, investigation, and adjudication of matters involving possible violations of statutes or regulations relating to the profession of public accounting.

The VBOA implemented a fee increase effective January 1, 2013.  Virginia CPA licensure fees had not been increased since 1991. During this period, the profession has continually grown, technology has significantly changed and overall day-to-day operating expenses have dramatically risen, which include the need for additional staff resources. This fee increase has been sufficient to supports the resources essential in carrying out the agency goals and objectives, particularly in the area of information technology enhancements.

Sixty-three percent of VBOA's budget supports personnel costs including salaries and fringe benefits. The remaining budget supports day-to-day operations such as rent, information technology needs and requirements, training, office supplies, and other miscellaneous costs.

The VBOA also imposes monetary penalties against licensees in the enforcement of disciplinary cases. All penalties collected by the VBOA are deposited into the Virginia Literary Fund and are not available to the VBOA for normal operating expenses.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) collects licensing and examination fees.  During FY 2021 VBOA collected $2,199,041 in Accountancy Regulatory Fees.

The VBOA also imposes monetary penalties in disciplinary cases; however, those funds are deposited to the Virginia Literary Fund.  During FY 2021, VBOA collected and transferred $129,263 in Fines and Penalties into this fund.

As of June 2021, the Virginia Board of Accountancy was responsible for the regulation and licensure of 28,748 certified public accountants (CPAs) and 1,125 firms by ensuring the effective and timely processing of applications, complaints and regulatory compliance documentation. The VBOA is also responsible for assessing the education and other qualifications for eligibility to take the CPA exam. 

In the past four years from FY2018 to FY2021, the VBOA has evaluated education credentials and approved testing for an average of 1,541 candidates each year and has issued an average of 1,168 new individual licenses each year.

As of the June 30, 2021, the VBOA reported a four year average of 28,325 individually licensed CPAs 1,145 firm licensees held in Virginia. It is anticipated that the impact of mobility will eventually affect the number of licensees in Virginia - whereas all 50 states and five additional jurisdictions, including Guam, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands, now allow licensed CPAs to practice in another state, without having to obtain a CPA license in that state, if the reciprocal state has been determined to be substantially equivalent. 

In addition, an aging CPA workforce could eventually decrease the number of licensed CPAs in Virginia. The 2019 AICPA Trends Report also reported a decline in the demad for accounting graduates which may eventually affect the number of licensees nationwide. 

VBOA Products and Services:

• CPA exam candidate application processing

• CPA license application processing for individuals and firms

• CPA license renewals and reinstatements for individuals and firms

• CPA continuing professional education (CPE) monitoring

• CPA firm peer review monitoring

• Compliant processing and enforcement investigations

The Virginia Board of Accountancy continually evaluates its service performance through monthly reporting to the Board and through performance measures tied to the VBOA’s strategic goals and objectives.



Beginning with the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, the VBOA began conducting an annual customer service satisfaction survey (a key performance measure). The results of the first survey indicated that 88% of VBOA customers were satisfied with staff customer service.  The results of the past five surveys on customer service satisfaction were 93% in FY2012, 96% in FY2013, 95% in FY2014 and FY2015, 97% in FY2016, and 93% in FY2017.  An analysis of this survey allows VBOA management to address any areas of concern and to make the necessary improvements where warranted.

Other performance measures assist the VBOA to ensure that enforcement cases are monitored closely, that continuing professional education (CPE) and Peer Review compliance are reviewed on a timely basis, CPA licenses are issued in a cost effective manner, and VBOA staff are provided training to enhance their knowledge skills and abilities and to stay abreast of best industry practices

The VBOA assists customers through automated systems and direct contact, implementing process and system improvements for increased operational efficiencies.

This objective falls within the Virginia Board of Accountancy's (VBOA) administrative and support services function. VBOA management is committed to providing their employees with continuing education and training necessary to stay current with information technology and within their assigned areas of responsibilities.

• Employee training plans will be developed as a component of the annual employee work profile (EWP). The VBOA Communications Manager will track all employee training hours on a quarterly basis.

• Employees will cross train and develop standard operating procedures.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) assists customers through automated systems and direct contact, implementing process and system improvements for increased operational efficiencies.

• The VBOA provides on-going customer service assistance to its customers. VBOA staff are assigned specific responsibilities to assist customers; however, all VBOA staff are available to provide assistance to its customer base as available/necessary.

• The VBOA will fully analyze the results of the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey to determine where improvements can be implemented. The VBOA will implement corrective action plans where necessary and appropriate to improve customer satisfaction.

This objective enhances the VBOA's financial stewardship of public funds through accurate and transparent reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.

• The VBOA will maintain trust fund reserves to support operating costs.

• The VBOA will maintain a 5-year forecast to provide the Board with accurate financial reporting.

The VBOA customers are dependent upon the VBOA to meet their needs. Effective and timely processing of data is critical to the success of VBOA's customers, and is equally important to the VBOA from an audit and customer service perspective.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) customers are dependent upon the VBOA to meet their needs. Effective and timely processing of data is critical to the success of VBOA's customers, and is equally important to the VBOA from an audit and customer service perspective.

• The VBOA's Executive Director will review performance measure data prior to submission to Virginia Performs to ensure compliance with goals, objectives and measure targets. Corrective action will be taken in cases of non-compliance.

This service area is comprised of all the work performed by the Virginia Board of Accountancy, including determining the standards for education, examination, licensing and enforcement for the professional practice by certified public accountants (CPA) and CPA firms.

This service area directly aligns the Virginia Board of Accountancy's mission to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth through a regulatory program of licensure and compliance of CPA's and CPA firms as prescribed Per Title 54.1 Professions and Occupations, Chapter 44. Public Accountants, of the Code of Virginia.



The VBOA serves all CPAs and CPA candidates in a professional manner, enabling them to contribute to the Commonwealth’s prosperity by entering and progressing in their chosen profession; to provide the most equitable, efficient, and economical means available to limit entry barriers to the marketplace; and to discipline those licensees who do not follow accepted ethical or professional standards.

The VBOA promulgates regulations that establish entry requirements, including education, examination, and licensure, which are essential in determining whether an individual is minimally competent to practice as a CPA in Virginia.

The VBOA establishes requirements for the registration of CPA firms.

The VBOA promulgates regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act.

The VBOA levies and collects fees for the issuance, renewal or reinstatement of Virginia licenses.

The VBOA initiates or receives complaints concerning CPAs or those that claim to be a CPA, and takes disciplinary action if warranted (to include revoking, suspending or refusing to reinstate a Virginia license, or to assess fines).

The VBOA establishes requirements for peer review and continuing professional education (CPE) requirements as a condition for issuance, renewal or reinstatement of a Virginia license.

The VBOA develops policy for Board operation.



Education/examination - assesses education and other qualifications for eligibility to take the CPA exam.

Licensing - determines eligibility to be licensed as a CPA or registered as a CPA firm.

Enforcement - receives, investigates and adjudicates complaints regarding the professional practice by CPAs and CPA firms (and those claiming to be CPAs).

CPE and peer review compliance - administers the CPE and Peer Review compliance reviews.

Administration - prepares budgets, financial statements, and reports; procures goods and services; provides personnel/payroll services; provides fiscal services; manages information security technology development and maintenance; manages board administration, strategic planning, continuity planning, public relations, management analysis, and legislative and regulatory programs.

The Virginia Board of Accountancy is a non-general fund agency financially dependent on fees collected from applicants and licensees. The VBOA last increased fees in January 1, 2013 to ensure sufficient financial resources are available to accomplish the agency's ongoing goals and objectives.