The future of online security and trust for the CPA profession is arriving with the rollout of the domain of .cpa.

As the Oct. 31 deadline approaches for firms to register .cpa domain names, SCACPA is aiming to raise awareness about the advantages for firms to reserve their spot in the new domain.

In addition to better, more focused branding, the global movement toward the .cpa domain has many advantages for the profession:

  • It will provide better security and resistance to online fraud
  • It will promote greater trust in firms’ online interactions with clients and the public
  • It demonstrates that firms are progressive and professional in the digital sphere

“Offering both branding and security benefits, the .cpa domain is a huge step forward for CPA firms,” said SCACPA CEO Chris Jenkins. “The AICPA is ahead of the game in securing a restricted top-level domain for the profession.”

Erik Asgeirsson, CEO of CPA.com, completed a short interview with the marketing lead of a top 200 firm on why they chose to apply for the .cpa URL. The discuss the importance of taking advantage of this early application period to achieve the best possible outcome. A high percentage of the Top 500 firms, and thousands of firms overall have already applied.

All firms can now submit applications at domains.cpa. The goal of this initial period, which runs through Oct. 31, is to help firms acquire domains that are most consistent with their digital branding. To apply, firms must be licensed and agree to use the domain they acquire. Licensed firms that apply during the early registration phase will be able to register their existing .com domain using .cpa. Firms will be notified of the outcome of their applications by early November.

After the initial period closes on Oct. 31 and the first batch of domains are awarded, firms are free to apply for available .cpa names on a first come, first served basis. In January 2021, the process will widen to include individually licensed CPAs.

This AICPA position paper explains the benefits and background of the restricted .cpa domain in greater detail. They have also prepared a brief explanatory video.

More headlines:

“AICPA and CPA.com Launch .CPA” (AICPA news release, Sept. 1)

“A new internet domain for the CPA profession: .cpa” (Journal of Accountancy, Sept. 1)

“AICPA opens up applications for .cpa domains” (Accounting Today, Sept. 1)