CTAPP Compliance Reviews Without the Chaos

CPAClub is a State Bar–approved CPA firm delivering CTAPP compliance reviews for California attorneys in accordance with required procedures, using a structured approach that minimizes disruption and keeps your team focused on billable work.

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2025 Firm of the Year

As Seen In

A Structured Approach to CTAPP Compliance Reviews

Our approach aligns with the State Bar of California’s required agreed-upon procedures, with findings reported directly to the State Bar under strict confidentiality and independence requirements.

Defined Scope and Coordination

  • Engagement assigned following State Bar coordination
  • Scope defined based on required trust account activity period
  • Coordinated to align with review requirements and timelines

Execution of Required Procedures

  • Perform required CTAPP compliance review procedures
  • Evaluate trust account records for completeness and accuracy
  • Executed consistently using State Bar–defined procedures

Clear Findings and Reporting

  • Document findings and any identified exceptions
  • Prepare required reporting based on agreed-upon procedures performed
  • Structured to provide clear, complete, and consistent reporting

CTAPP Summary

What to Expect During a CTAPP Compliance Review

The CTAPP compliance review evaluates key components of your trust account activity to assess completeness, accuracy, and compliance with State Bar requirements.

What You Gain from a CTAPP Compliance Review

Confidence in Your Compliance

A completed CTAPP compliance review with clearly documented results aligned with required procedures.

A Thorough and Structured Review

Trust account records reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with State Bar requirements.

Reduced Regulatory Risk

Identify and address potential issues early to reduce exposure to disciplinary action and regulatory risk.

Clear and Complete Reporting

Structured documentation designed to support your response to the State Bar and meet reporting requirements.

Latest Insights and Perspectives

Explore guidance and perspectives on compliance, regulation, and audit considerations.

Five Points, Companies
California’s Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) has introduced a new level of oversight for attorneys handling client trust accounts. While only a subset of firms are selected each year for a CTAPP compliance review, the reality is that most firms maintaining trust accounts should expect to be reviewed over time. A CTAPP compliance review...
Five Points, Companies
California’s Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) represents a significant shift in how the State Bar oversees client trust accounting. A CTAPP compliance review is an agreed-upon procedures engagement performed by a State Bar–approved CPA firm. While annual CTAPP reporting applies broadly to most practicing attorneys, a smaller group is selected each year for review...
Accounting Firms, Five Points
The Securities and Exchange Commission is once again revisiting a question that has circulated in regulatory circles for years: whether public companies should continue reporting quarterly or shift to a semi-annual model. The debate over SEC quarterly vs semi-annual reporting is not theoretical for audit firms. A change of this magnitude would reshape the rhythm...
Accounting Firms, Five Points
SQMS is no longer new. Many firms still struggle with SQMS monitoring as they transition to system-level quality management. That transition has already taken place, yet many firms continue to manage their quality management systems through Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. This is not simply a technology gap. It reflects a deeper disconnect between how...
Accounting Firms, Five Points
SQMS monitoring is where most firms are now exposed. Firms that completed implementation often treated it as the finish line. It isn’t, and firms are not prepared. The AICPA’s System of Quality Management Standards required firms to design and implement their quality management systems by December 15, 2025. But the standard was never designed to stop there....
Accounting Firms, Five Points
PCAOB QC 1000 implementation is now an active compliance requirement for PCAOB registered firms that audit issuers and broker dealers, with a compliance date of December 15, 2026. Although there has been public discussion about restructuring the PCAOB, budget pressures, and changes in Board leadership sworn in on February 10, 2026, the text of QC...
Accounting Firms, Five Points
The PCAOB’s Quality Control standard, QC 1000, was originally set to take effect on December 15, 2025. On August 28, 2025, the Board announced a one year deferral, pushing the effective date to December 15, 2026. Importantly, the text of QC 1000 remains unchanged, and early adoption is still permitted. With the AICPA’s SQMS standards...
Accounting Firms, Companies, Guidebooks
Focused on the PCAOB—from registration to remediation—this edition of The Captain’s Log is part of our ongoing series of strategic guides helping firms and companies navigate complex and consequential challenges with clarity, candor, and confidence. Welcome Aboard Over the years, we’ve fielded hundreds of questions about the PCAOB — in training sessions, inspection prep calls,...
Companies, Accounting Firms, Guidebooks
Focused on AI and automation—this edition of The Captain’s Log is part of our ongoing series of strategic guides helping firms and companies navigate complex and consequential challenges with clarity, candor, and confidence. Welcome Aboard As technology reshapes the accounting profession, firms are exploring new tools that promise efficiency, accuracy, and insight. But evaluating those...

Led by experienced CPAs with Big 4 backgrounds in audit, regulatory, and compliance matters

Founder & President
Chris blends expertise in public accounting, auditing, regulation, innovation, and education to drive meaningful change in the profession. A two-time Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People honoree, he is committed to advancing excellence and progress in accounting.
Senior Vice President
Brian has 20 years of extensive experience in both public and private industry accounting and auditing. Recognized as a 20 Under 40 Top Influencer by CPA Practice Advisor, Brian’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing accounting and auditing practices and supporting professionals.
Senior Vice President
Ellen brings over a decade of distinguished experience from the Big 4, specializing in accounting, advisory, and assurance services. Her career reflects a deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and delivering strategic guidance across various aspects of financial reporting and audit quality.

A Recognized Leader in the Profession

Expert audit, advisory, and regulatory support to enhance quality, increase efficiency, and strengthen compliance.

Scalable accounting, advisory, and CFO solutions to streamline operations, ensure compliance, and drive growth.

Expert audit, advisory, and regulatory support to enhance quality, increase efficiency, and strengthen compliance.

Scalable accounting, advisory, and CFO solutions to streamline operations, ensure compliance, and drive growth.

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CalCPA Firm of the Year

Thank you to our passholders, crew, and allies. See why they trust us to lead the way.