How to Find a Tax Professional You Can Trust
When searching for an attorney, financial advisor, or electrician, most of us start by asking friends for recommendations.
But is that enough? Unfortunately, no. Remember Bernie Madoff? He defrauded $65 billion from 5,000 clients most of whom were referred by friends.
Today my goal is to show you how to check my credentials and competency. In doing so, you’ll know how to verify the credentials of any professional you are considering for any kind of service.
1. The Virginia Board of Accountancy is the state government agency that licenses and governs ethics compliance for all CPAs. Here you can search for and file misconduct complaints (violations of code-of-ethics) against any CPA. To check my license status, click the following link and enter Levine in the Last Name field and 23220 in the Zip Code field. There you will see my License Status, License Number and License Expiration date. https://secure1.boa.virginia.gov/Verification/
2. To search for disciplinary actions against me (spoiler alert - there are none) click the following link and then click Disciplinary Actions: 2011-2019. A .pdf file will download to your computer and when you open the file click the first letter of the last name to see any case adjudicated against any CPA. https://boa.virginia.gov/enforcement/disciplinary-actions/
3. The IRS requires anyone preparing tax returns to have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number). In the appropriate fields enter Levine, 25 miles, 23220 and my name will appear. This IRS site corroborates my professional credentials and also explains the different types of tax preparers and their credentials https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
The above resources are independent, objective sources corroborating my professional standing and credentials Having verified those independent sources you are now far better prepared to evaluate sources that are not independent such as my website and social media links. For example:
I am a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs which is the state professional organization representing the interests of CPAs in industry and government. Enter my email address (gary@levine-cpa.com) at the top of the page, then scroll all the way to the bottom to “Find Contacts”. When the search is finished, scroll down again to the bottom and click my picture to see my complete bio. **Full-Disclosure** – all members, including me, provide the bio information that you see. That notwithstanding, examine whether my credentials and messaging are consistent with my website, social media and any conversations we’ve had. https://secure1.boa.virginia.gov/Verification/
If you’ve read my prior articles, you already know my intention is not to be self-serving, but simply to help you through these challenging times. I also want to protect you from unscrupulous professionals of any organization, of which I am NOT a member! I welcome your thoughts, comments, questions and even philosophical rebuttals if you are so inclined! You can always email me at gary@levine-cpa.com