A CPA firm you can count on.

Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs goes beyond being a traditional CPA firm to becoming a valued business consultant with professionalism and integrity by offering a combination of responsive professionals with quality specialized training who are committed to providing superior client service and the resources, services, and skills that normally are available only from national and international firms.

Our CPA firm has grown to approximately 85 professionals and support staff who provide clients with a full range of traditional accounting, auditing, and tax services complemented by comprehensive consulting services.

Choosing a CPA firm over an accounting firm.

What’s the difference between a CPA firm and an accounting firm? This is an important question and should be understood, especially by business owners.

All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs. Virtually anyone can name themselves an “accountant” without having any special education. Therefore, it is important to understand the significance of the CPA firm’s designation.

CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant. This designation is actually a license issued by the State Board of Accountancy and the Department of Business & Professional Regulation to individuals who have passed the Uniform CPA Examination, who have gained their required professional work experience, who have met stringent educational requirements, and who have demonstrated a commitment to high ethical standards. CPA firms are licensed, as well, and have very specific rules to follow.

In general, a CPA firm is owned and operated by CPAs. An accounting firm is operated by accounting professionals who have not attained a CPA license.

Why is the CPA license so important?

Accounting firms can help companies with any number of things, from bookkeeping services to preparing tax returns. However, only CPA firms are qualified to negotiate an IRS tax settlement or issue an opinion on financial statements.

A CPA firm performs all types of assurance services, including audits, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures. Regulatory bodies do not permit unlicensed accounting firms to perform certain engagements and services, which can be critical to the public’s trust in financial information.  Therefore, state law requires that licensed CPAs perform them. In addition, the training and expertise that a CPA firm offers are far more extensive than what you may find with an unlicensed accounting firm.

You can count on resources and certification.

Our CPA Firm’s alliances with RSM US Alliance and CPAmerica. This gives us access to 150 U.S. accounting firms and their more than 20,000 professionals. In addition, this gives us access to the professionals of the two national tax offices within RSM US and Crowe Horwath, LLP. This access is extended to our clients while the point of contact within our firm remains the same.

Our staff’s credentials include CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE, CISA, CITP, CIA, CRMA, CGMA, and CFST.