Registration of Public Accounting Firms

A firm is required to register as a public accounting firm with the Department if it:

• Provides any attest or compilation services to NYS clients; or
• Uses the words "Certified Public Accountant" or the designation "CPA" or the words "Public Accountant" or the designation "PA" in the firm name.
• Registers as a professional entity to offer public accountancy services, such as, a sole proprietor, a Professional Corporation (PC), a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

• For sole proprietors, partners of general partnerships, or partners of limited liability partnerships, you are not required to have a NYS CPA license. 
• For shareholders of professional service corporations or members professional limited liability companies, at least one owner must be a NYS licensed CPA. 

• Firms are required to renew their registration every 3 years on the CPA Form 6T – CPA Firm Triennial Registration.
• Firms are required to provide an annual firm update on CPA Form 6PR – Peer Review, Competency, and Annual Statements
• A CPA Form 6C – Certification of Ownership and Attest Competency any year when ownership has changed.

Note: The Department mails out triennial renewals and annual updates 60 days prior to firm's anniversary date.

• A single owner firm is permitted to form as a Professional Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Professional Services Corporation (PC), or a Sole Proprietorship.
• A multiple owner firm is permitted to form as a Partnership, a Professional Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Professional Limited Liability Company (LLC), or a Professional Services Corporation (PC).

Note: General business corporations and other non-professional entities are not allowed to register as public accounting firms.

Firms are only authorized to use the words “certified public accountant” or “certified public accountants” or the letters “CPA” or “CPAs” in connection with its name unless all shareholders, owners, and partners are certified public accountants. Firms with non-licensed owners will not be permitted to use the aforementioned terms in the title of the firm.

The most common error that delays a firm's registration is not choosing a proper firm name. Firms with names that are not in compliance with the rules cannot be registered. Visit the Professional Corporation Unit Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Processing Delays. Firms are urged to contact the Professional Corporations Unit for a review of their proposed name at opcorp@nysed.gov.

The firm registration process is a multiple step process dependent on the type of entity being formed. All firms are requested to contact the Professional Corporations Unit (opcorp@nysed.gov) for guidance in their firm's formation and the firm's initial corporate filings. Firms that are not properly formed cannot be registered.

A summary of the registration process follows. Firms are urged to contact the Professional Corporations Unit at opcorp@nysed.gov for a more detailed registration guide.

PCs and LLCs must apply to the Professional Corporations Unit for a Certificate of Authority (PLS-709). Once granted, the firm files the PLS-709 and other required documents with the NYS Department of State to form the corporation. The firm then returns to the Professional Corporations Unit to register the firm.

LLPs apply directly to the NYS Department of State to form their corporation. After forming, the firm applies to the Professional Corporations Unit for a registration.

Sole Proprietorship and Partnership formations are dictated by the county where the firm plans to practice. Most counties require Partnerships to file a DBA certificate. Not all counties require or allow a Sole Proprietorship to file a DBA certificate. Firm owners are required to know the laws that apply in their respective counties. After filing the firm's DBA certificate in their local county (where required), the firm applies to the Professional Corporations Unit for a registration.

When applying to the Professional Corporations Unit for a registration, all firms use CPA Form 6R. A registration fee as calculated on CPA Form 6R must be included. Any owner not reported on CPA Form 6R must be reported in a separate list as noted on Form 6R.

A more detailed explanation of the process and a list of the required documents that must be submitted to the Department are available upon request at opcorp@nysed.gov.

The firm registration process for foreign firms is a multiple step process dependent on the type of entity being registered. All firms are requested to contact the Professional Corporations Unit (opcorp@nysed.gov) for guidance when filing their NYS corporate filings.

Foreign PCs and LLCs must apply to the Professional Corporations Unit for a Certificate of Authority (PLS-709). Once granted, the firm files the PLS-709 and other required documents with the NYS Department of State to register the corporation. The firm then returns to the Professional Corporations Unit to register the firm.

Foreign LLPs apply directly to the NYS Department of State to register their corporation. After forming, the firm applies to the Professional Corporations Unit for a registration.

Foreign Sole Proprietorship and Partnership formations are dictated by the state or county where the firm was formed. Most Partnerships are required to file a DBA certificate in their locality. Not all localities require or allow a Sole Proprietorship to file a DBA certificate. Firm owners are required to know the laws that apply in their respective locality. Having already filed the firm's DBA certificate in their locality (where required), the firm applies to the Professional Corporations Unit for a registration.

NYS State Education Department
Office of the Professions
Division of Professional Licensing Services
Professional Corporations Unit
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234-1000

New York Department of State
Division of Corporations
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
https://www.dos.ny.gov/

For questions about the registration of public accounting firms, you may contact the Professional Corporations Unit at opcorp@nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 400.

For questions related to the Mandatory Peer Review Program, you may contact the Board Office at CPABD@nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 160.