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Accountant or auditor · United States (federal)

Website advertising rules for accountants and auditors in United States (federal)

Accountants and auditors answer to their regulator's advertising and conduct rules as well as to privacy law. This is what AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (advertising and solicitation) means for your website: testimonials, claims, fees, titles and the details you must show. It applies only to sites of that profession, and only where you are licensed. For the general laws every site in United States (federal) must follow, see United States (federal)'s laws.

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AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (advertising and solicitation)

Code effective 15 Dec 2014; the edition read is updated for releases through July 2026 (copy hosted by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy).

Who it covers: CPAs and firms in public practice. Set by the AICPA Professional Ethics Division and the state boards of accountancy that adopt it.

What it requires of a website or app (6)

  • No false, misleading or deceptive advertising: no false or unjustified expectations of favourable results, no implied ability to influence a court or regulator, no fee quote that is likely to rise substantially without telling the prospectAI reviewET 1.600.001; 1.600.010.02(a)-(d)
  • Claims about CPA licensure or other certification comply with the body that licenses or designates itAI reviewET 1.400.090.02
  • You are responsible for promotion by third parties (marketing agencies, lead platforms) that brings you engagementsAI reviewET 1.600.010.01
  • AICPA-awarded designations follow a member's name; on firm marketing only if all partners hold them (if the site shows designations such as PFS or CGMA)AI reviewET 1.600.030
  • No commission for recommending a product to an attest client; other commissions and referral fees are disclosed to the person referred (if the site recommends third-party products with affiliate links)AI reviewET 1.520.001.01, .03, .04
  • The firm name is not misleading and does not say "Members of the AICPA" unless all CPA owners are membersAI reviewET 1.800.001.02-.04

Sources:AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (Minnesota Board of Accountancy copy)

Rules for accountants and auditors in other markets

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A plain-language summary of what each law requires of a website or app, from the SafeLaunch rulebook, with the provision and official sources. It is not legal advice and not every duty in each law is listed.