American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States. Founded in 1887, its core mission is to power the success of global business, CPAs, Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMAs), and specialty credentials by providing relevant knowledge, resources, and advocacy, while protecting the evolving public interest. The AICPA is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with additional offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Ewing, New Jersey.

The AICPA's key services include setting ethical standards and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, non-profit organizations, and government entities, as well as developing and grading the Uniform CPA Examination. In alliance with The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), it operates as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, offering the CGMA designation and a wide array of professional development, resources, and specialized credentials such as those in business valuation (ABV), financial forensics (CFF), and personal financial planning (PFS). The organization serves a diverse membership across various practice areas, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting.

In recent developments, the AICPA launched its "Profession Ready Initiative" in February 2026, a research-backed effort to equip early-career CPAs with essential skills for an increasingly AI-driven marketplace. Leadership includes Barry C. Melancon as CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and Mark Koziel as CEO of the American Institute of CPAs. The first-quarter 2026 AICPA and CIMA Economic Outlook Survey indicated a rebound in economic optimism among business executives and strengthened confidence in their companies' prospects, with inflation concerns easing. The AICPA, through its alliance, positions itself as the world's largest member association representing the accounting profession, with over 696,000 members, students, and professionals globally.