Quick answer: In BC, “accountant” is a word anyone can use, but Chartered Professional Accountant is a protected designation regulated by CPABC, and membership is publicly checkable in about two minutes. Before handing your corporate records to anyone, verify the person or firm with CPABC directly. If someone resists that check, the check has done its job.
The CPA at this firm is on that register, and you are welcome to check before you call. About the firm, or send an enquiry.
On this page
Why the difference matters
The designation is about accountability, not intelligence; capable bookkeepers and preparers work without it. A CPA answers to a regulator with mandatory standards, continuing education, professional liability requirements and a public discipline process. With an unregulated preparer, your recourse is a negotiation. For engagements a lender or agency relies on — like compilation engagements — the designation is required.
The two-minute check
- Go to CPABC (bccpa.ca), the regulator’s own site, not a directory that copies from it.
- Use its member and firm search to confirm the individual’s membership and, separately, that the firm is registered — both matter, because services to the public are delivered through registered firms.
- While there, check the public discipline listings.
- Cross-check the basics: does the name on the engagement letter match the membership? Does the firm name on the invoice match the registration?
Red flags the check exposes
- “Accounting firm” branding with no named, verifiable CPA anywhere on the site or engagement letter.
- A designation claimed from another jurisdiction that does not appear in the BC register while the person practises in BC.
- Resistance to the question. A CPA expects it — our own hiring questions put it first.
Verify us while you are at it
EverStone CPA is a CPA firm serving owner-managed businesses across BC. Run the check on us before you send an enquiry. We would genuinely rather you did.
General information, not tax advice. A letter’s own wording and dates govern — confirm anything that affects a decision by sending us an enquiry.
Checking a CPA in Alberta
Alberta keeps its own register. For an accountant working with Alberta businesses, run the same check in CPA Alberta’s member and firm lookup. EverStone works with owners in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba; see Alberta accounting.
Check us, using exactly this method
Everything above applies to this firm too, so here is the shortcut: EverStone CPA Inc. in the CPABC firm and practitioner directory. It is CPABC’s own record, not ours — it shows the firm, the practitioner, the class of public practice licence held (compilation), the licence status, and any public notice.
Two points for reading any firm’s entry. Licence class defines what a firm may sign. A compilation licence covers compilation engagements; audit and review need another class, so we refer that work out. Status matters more than tenure. Look for “Active”; discipline history appears under public notice.