State Board of Accountancy – Harrisburg, PA

Regulating Accounting Standards

Board Overview

The State Board of Accountancy, operating under the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, is the regulatory body responsible for the oversight of public accountants and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the Commonwealth. Located at the state licensing center on North 7th Street, the Board ensures that accounting professionals adhere to high standards of competence, ethics, and integrity. Its primary mission is to protect the public interest by enforcing the CPA Law and ensuring that only qualified individuals and firms provide accounting services in Pennsylvania.

Key Functions

• Licensure: Reviewing applications and issuing licenses for CPAs and public accountants.
• Continuing Education: Establishing and monitoring Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements for license renewal.
• Peer Review: Overseeing the peer review program to ensure quality control in accounting firms.
• Disciplinary Action: Investigating complaints and taking action against licensees who violate professional standards.
• Firm Registration: Managing the licensure and compliance of accounting firms and partnerships.

Administrative Information

The Board is housed within the Department of State facility at 2525 North 7th Street. While many services, such as license renewal and application tracking, are available through the online PALS system, the physical office handles administrative processing. Correspondence regarding disciplinary matters or specific education verification should be directed to the Board’s mailing address. Visitors to the building are subject to standard state government security protocols, including identification checks.