[solescpajourney]

First, a little about me: I’m an MBA and CFE and I’m planning to start testing for the CPA soon. I’ve always wanted to start an at-home accouting business on the side (eventually full-time) and I already do taxes and bookkeeping for friends and family. I want to go ahead and set up my business now so I can start charging and possibly gain a few more paying clients. I also want to be able to utilize my CFE by working with businesses to control and prevent fraud. I’m either going to do an LLC or S-Corp (still deciding). I am struggling with what to name my business since I’m not a CPA yet. Should I just use “ABC Accounting Services” or “ABC Business Solutions” (Substituting ABC for whatever I decide) or go ahead and use my name with CFE and add CPA later? I see some accounting businesses are using cutesy names, but I want to be more professional so clients will take me seriously. Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Get a lawyer and some professional insurance. I'm fairly sure you're still personally liable for your professional acts as a CPA.

There's a reason why it's not PWC, Inc. or KPMG LLC.

You may be able to get away with being a P.C.; however, you're probably best off being a sole practitioner (proprietor).

[Gatorbates]

Another word of advice … don't refer to yourself as “an MBA”. Say you “have your MBA”. And ESPECIALLY do not put it as part of your title on a business card/e-mail signature. It's unprofessional, inaccurate and honestly makes you look bad. I'm not a Bachelor of Science.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

Also check with your state board of accountancy. For example, Minnesota has rules that restrict firm naming especially if you are going to register as a CPA firm. To be a registered firm in MN, you have to include at least the last name of one of the founders/principal members. You also can't call it ABC & associates (or whatever) unless there are actually associates. I would imagine other states have similar restrictions.

[solescpajourney]

Thanks for the advice…I do plan on getting insurance and I can name the firm one of those I mentioned – I just can't include CPA in the name (which I wouldn't anyway since I don't have it yet). That's why I'm having a hard time deciding on a name! I think I'd do best coming up with a name (not my name). I also wouldn't call myself an MBA for business purposes. However, I do work in a community college and we do include our education levels in our signatures (if we have a Masters or higher). This is pretty much an internal thing and I don't go out calling myself an MBA – except in this post 🙂

This just made me think that I may not even want to use “CPA” when (if) I pass since I just plan to do bookkeeping, tax, and payroll. I'm thinking it will just lead to more liability and I'll have to worry about registering the firm, peer review, etc…

[tomq04]

You should be able to choose a new DBA in the future, in WA St it's $5/ doing business as name.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Author]

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