Methodology

This page documents how we produce every category of editorial content on The Ledgerism Brief. It is updated whenever a methodology changes.

How we rank CPA firms

Our city-level Best CPA Firms rankings score firms on five dimensions:

1. Licensing. Firm registration verified through the state board of accountancy database where the firm is headquartered. Out-of-state office registrations cross-checked.
2. M&A and quality of earnings experience. Verified through SEC EDGAR transaction filings, public deal announcements, and named-partner LinkedIn profile review.
3. Specializations. Confirmed through firm website service pages, named-partner credentials (CGMA, ABV, CFF), and AICPA member directory listings.
4. Peer review history. Cross-referenced against AICPA peer review program reports and state society peer review records where public.
5. Public discipline record. Searched on PCAOB enforcement orders, SEC enforcement releases, and state board of accountancy disciplinary actions.

The five dimensions are weighted differently depending on the ranking context. A Best Audit Firms ranking weights peer review history and PCAOB inspection findings more heavily. A Best M&A QoE Firms ranking weights M&A experience and specialization confirmation more heavily. The exact weighting for each ranking is published at the top of every ranking page.

Data sources

Primary sources we use regularly:

• State boards of accountancy (license verification, discipline records)
• AICPA member directory and peer review program reports
• PCAOB inspection reports, enforcement orders, and AS releases
• SEC EDGAR (registrant auditor changes, accountant enforcement)
• FASB Accounting Standards Codification
• IRS Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, Revenue Rulings, Notices
• ACFE Report to the Nations (forensic and fraud topics)
• Court records (PACER, state court systems) for tax controversy and audit liability cases

Update frequency

• News. Published within 72 hours of the underlying regulatory action or news event.
• Learn. Reviewed every 90 days. Updated within 30 days of a material change in the underlying standard or rule.
• Playbook. Reviewed every 180 days. Updated when economic context (interest rates, multiple expansion, PE activity levels) materially changes.
• Software. Reviewed every 180 days. Updated when a vendor releases a major version, changes pricing, or changes ownership.
• CPAs. Rankings refreshed quarterly. Featured Partner placements updated continuously.
• Regulatory. Updated within 72 hours of any standard release, enforcement order, or proposed regulation.
• Research. Update cadence is stated on each dataset.

Editorial independence policy

The Ledgerism Brief accepts paid Featured CPA Partner placements and may accept future advertising on clearly labeled placements. Paid placements do not influence editorial coverage. Featured Partners do not get advance review of editorial content. Featured Partners do not get to suppress editorial content critical of their firm.

Sponsored content disclosure

The Ledgerism Brief does not publish sponsored content disguised as editorial. If we ever publish anything paid for by a vendor or firm, it will be labeled “Sponsored” at the top of the page in a way that cannot be missed.