Trust & Verification
How CPAZenith Verification Works
A plain-language guide to what we check, what we don't, how often we re-check, and what you should still confirm before hiring.
Section 1
What is verified
Identity match
The listed name corresponds to a real, individual licensee on record with the issuing authority.
License or credential number
Confirmed against the public registry of the issuing authority — state board, IRS, or professional body.
Current license status
Active, inactive, lapsed, suspended, or revoked, exactly as published by the issuer.
Jurisdiction
The state(s) or jurisdictions in which the credential is valid.
Section 2
What is not verified
A verified badge confirms licensure — not service quality or fit. Here's what we explicitly do not vouch for:
- Malpractice history, civil judgments, or settlements outside what the licensing authority publishes
- Disciplinary records that have been sealed or are otherwise not publicly available
- Niche or specialty certifications and continuing-education completion beyond what we can confirm with the issuer
- Fees, pricing accuracy, or billing practices
- Service quality, responsiveness, or communication style
- Whether the professional is the right fit for your specific engagement
Section 3
How often license status is checked
On claim
Verification runs the moment a professional claims or submits their profile.
Annually
Every verified profile is re-checked on a rolling annual schedule.
On complaint
We re-check immediately when we receive a credible report or dispute, and at our discretion via spot checks.
License status can change between checks. Always confirm directly with the issuing authority before you hire.
Section 4
Which state boards are checked
For Certified Public Accountants, we verify against the state board of accountancy in each licensee's jurisdiction. Coverage includes all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories that publish a public licensee lookup (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands).
For Enrolled Agents we use the IRS Return Preparer Office (RPO) registry. For credentials like CFE, CIA, CMA, CGMA, and ABV, we check the issuing professional body (ACFE, IIA, IMA, AICPA, etc.).
Where a state board does not provide a free public lookup, we require the professional to upload a current license certificate, which we cross-reference with NASBA's CPAverify where available.
Sections 5 & 6
What "claimed" and "verified" mean
Claimed
A claimed profile is one that has been taken over and is actively managed by the real professional or an authorized member of their firm. They've proven ownership and can update their bio, services, hours, and contact information. Claimed alone does not mean license-verified.
Verified
A verified profile is a claimed profile whose license or credential has been confirmed active with the issuing authority at the most recent check. Verified professionals display a gold badge. If a re-check finds the license lapsed or revoked, the badge is removed or updated.
All badge states
Profile is owned and actively managed by the professional or their firm.
Claimed profile whose license was confirmed active at the most recent check.
Sourced from public data; the professional has not completed verification.
Previously verified, but the license now appears lapsed or inactive.
License has been revoked or surrendered, or false verification info was provided.
Section 7
What you should still confirm before hiring
Verification is a strong signal — not a substitute for your own due diligence. Run through this checklist before you sign anything:
- Run an independent license lookup on the relevant state board's website
- Have a real consultation call — not just an email exchange
- Ask for two or three client references in a similar industry or situation
- Get fees, scope, and deliverables in writing before signing
- Confirm any specialty experience that matters for your engagement (S-Corp, real estate, multi-state, crypto, etc.)
- Read and understand the engagement letter — especially scope, term, and termination clauses
Ready to find a verified professional?
Search verified CPAs, tax pros, and bookkeepers near you.