Referred and Joint Engagements

CPAConnect membership opens the door to many new resources. CPAConnect's sponsor, CPAmerica International, in alliance with Horwath International, includes the personnel and resources of one of the largest associations of accounting and consulting firms in the world. Yet our firms remain totally independent.

These resources afford you opportunities for second opinions, joint engagements and referred specialized services – without your risking the loss of clients to cooperating firms. There is every likelihood that a CPAmerica International or CPAConnect member firm can satisfy your clients' expanded needs, no matter how complex.

Consider your ability to use these relationships to offer:

  • Auditing services
  • Business valuation
  • Cost segregation services
  • Estate planning
  • Financial services
  • International tax services
  • Management consulting
  • Merger and acquisition services
  • Succession planning
  • Technology consulting
  • Other expanded services

Cooperative Fee Arrangements

In the event of referred activity, the CPAmerica International and CPAConnect recommended policy suggests that the inbound referral firm pay the outbound referral firm 13 percent of the total first-year fees, 8 percent for the second year and 5 percent for the third year. In situations of joint engagements, the subcontractor firm will provide services to the contractor firm/client at customary hourly rates.

Noncompete and Confidentiality Agreements

Through CPAConnect, member firms mutually agree that, when engaged directly or indirectly to provide services to clients, they will not provide any further services to these clients without the express written consent of the referring firm.

Furthermore, cooperating firms on each engagement agree not to disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of the engagement except with the express written consent of the client. Likewise, cooperating firms agree to refrain from disclosing any confidential information concerning or acquired from each other without express written consent.

Practice Succession and Continuation

You may pursue a mutually agreed upon practice standby agreement protecting the value of your practice in the event of the untimely death or disability of a key person in your practice. An established relationship with a CPAmerica International firm may provide a smooth, value-added succession and/or purchase of your practice.

Full Cooperative Engagement Policy (PDF, 23KB)

"The May Company was engaged to perform a consulting engagement for one of my bigger clients. Among other things, my client received the recommendation that they hire a tax attorney. I set up a meeting with the client and my CPAmerica sponsor firm. We retained the client, and my sponsor firm received a consulting engagement. It was a win-win for both firms."

Harold Stevens, CPA
Harold Stevens, PC
Columbus, Neb.