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May a CPA firm name include the name of firm members who have ownership interests in the firm, but who are not certified public accountants?

April 26, 2017Accountants certified CPA firm members ownership public

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May a CPA firm name include the name of firm members who have ownership interests in the firm, but who are not certified public accountants?

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A. Not if the firm name, or associated advertising, letterhead, signs, etc indicate that the firm is a CPA firm, or if the name is used in a context that may mislead the public that the non-CPA owners are CPAs. See. Wis. Admin. Code § 1.405. Q. If one of the owners of a CPA firm is not a CPA and the names of non-CPA owners may not be used in the firm name, are we allowed to use the term and company in the name to identify that other firm owners exist, e.g., the name Smith, Jones & Company, CPA’s, LLC? A. Wis. Admin. Code § Accy 1.405 identifies restrictions on the use of the term Company. Under the rule, your firm may use the term Company if there are owners of the firm in addition to those specifically mentioned in the firm’s name. The rule does not require that the additional owners be CPA’s as a condition to using the term Company. Use of the term Company also gives the public additional information about the firm that may be of value in business relationships with your firm.