How to verify that an accountant is registered with the order (CPA)

In short: In Canada, the CPA designation is protected and regulated by a professional association. Verifying that an accountant is registered and in good standing is more important than just looking at a diploma hanging on the wall. Bankeo checks this for you, based on more than 20 criteria, for free.

Many business owners believe that simply asking to see a diploma is enough. In reality, a diploma only proves that a course of study was completed at some point. What matters today is active membership in the professional association.

Degree vs. Professional board registration: The real difference

The title of CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) is regulated in Quebec by the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec, and in Ontario by CPA Ontario. To use this title and sign certain documents (such as the certification of financial statements), an accountant must be Listed on the Order’s roster and in good standing : up to date on continuing education, insurance requirements, and ethical standards.

A degree doesn’t tell you any of that. Someone may have studied accounting without being a CPA, or may have been a CPA in the past but no longer is today. It’s active membership that counts, not a copy of a diploma. That’s why, at Bankeo, we don’t ask for copies of diplomas: we verify registration, which is the only thing that matters.

Do you really need a CPA?

Not always, and it’s important to point that out. A CPA is required for auditing and certifying financial statements. But for bookkeeping, GST and QST, routine tax returns, or day-to-day advice, a good accountant or a competent bookkeeper often does the job just fine, at a lower cost.

So the issue isn’t “CPA or nothing.” It’s this: if an accountant presents themselves as a CPA, are they actually registered and in good standing? And if they aren’t, are they still reputable, insured, well-regarded, and competent in your field?

How to verify registration yourself

Professional associations maintain public registries. To verify:

• In Quebec, check the Order’s roster on the website at CPA Quebec ;
• In Ontario, check the registry at CPA Ontario ;
• Search for the professional’s name and verify that they are registered active (not suspended, not disbarred).

It’s free and publicly available. But you still need to do this for each accountant you’re considering and know how to interpret the status displayed.

How Bankeo verifies this for you

Membership in the Order, for accountants who are CPAs, is one of the criteria for The Bankeo Trust Index. We verify that the professional is indeed registered and in good standing before introducing them to you. And since the Index also checks for insurance, the business’s actual existence, customer reviews, and expertise in your industry, you get the full picture, not just a title.

You don’t have to do a thing: just describe what you need, and we’ll connect you with the right accountant, one we’ve already verified, for free. You make the choice, and we’ll be there for you every step of the way.

A vetted accountant, registration included. Find yours for free.

In summary

• The degree proves that they have completed their training; the Active membership in the Order proves their right to practice today.
• You don’t always need a CPA, but if someone claims to be one, their registration must be valid and in good standing.
• Bankeo verifies this registration for you as part of The Bankeo Trust Index.