North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

What North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants does

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA) is a private, nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1919 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving over 12,000 certified public accountants, accounting professionals, educators, and students across the state. The organization is the preeminent advocacy body for the North Carolina accounting profession, operating the North Carolina CPA PAC and a Key Person Program; in 2025 it secured legislation establishing an additional CPA licensure pathway. NCACPA is a NASBA-approved continuing professional education provider, governed by 40-hour annual CPE requirements for NC-licensed CPAs.

Its core product is the CPE & Events Catalog, comprising 217 events delivered through in-person conferences, live webcasts, on-demand self-study, and virtual formats across accounting, auditing, tax, ethics, finance, information technology, and business management subjects. Signature content lines include Don Farmer Tax Education (eight-hour federal tax seminars plus targeted hot-topic sessions) and the CFO Series (executive-level programming). Member engagement runs through the Connect community platform, the Career Center job board, an HR advisory hotline, the NC CPA Foundation scholarships, and a multi-conference event calendar (Beach Cluster, TechFest, Business & Industry Fall Conference, Professional Women's Conference, Annual Symposium, NC Tax Forum). Upcoming product The Exchange Marketplace is scheduled for Summer 2026.

NCACPA monetizes through tiered annual membership dues (May–April term, $0–$340 depending on member type), per-event CPE fees ($60–$295 member / significantly higher non-member), the On Demand 365 unlimited CPE subscription, tiered corporate event sponsorship ($3,200–$5,300), and affiliate referral economics from an affinity partner portfolio (Wolters Kluwer CCH, CPACharge, KinderCare, UPS, Lambers, UWorld Roger, Surgent, Gleim, Strategic HR Solutions, Encompass Financial Partners). Distribution is primarily regional and direct via ncacpa.org, phone, mail, group viewing, and an online learning platform, with hybrid in-person/virtual delivery extending reach beyond a single physical geography.

Name

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

Legal name

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

Website

https://ncacpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCACPA is a 100+ year, nonprofit professional membership association serving over 12,000 certified public accountants, accounting educators, and students in North Carolina through NASBA-approved CPE programs, advocacy, networking, and affinity partner benefits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA)

Keywords

• CPA continuing education
• Professional association membership
• Accounting networking events
• NASBA approved CPE
• Professional advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees varying by member type (CPA, Associate, Accounting Educator, Student). CPA First-Year: $165, CPA License <5 Years: $275, CPA License 5+ Years: $340, Associate: $195, Accounting Educator: $195, Student: Free. Membership term runs May 1 to April 30.
2. CPE Program Fees: NASBA-approved continuing professional education programs. Member seminar pricing: 2-hour $100-$130, 4-hour $160-$205, 8-hour $295. Non-member rates are significantly higher. Includes conferences, webcasts, self-study, and on-demand courses.
3. On Demand 365 Subscription: Members-only unlimited annual subscription for on-demand CPE access. Single course purchases available for non-members at higher rates. Individual course: 90-day access from purchase.
4. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship opportunities at conferences with tiered levels: Supporting Sponsor $3,200, Preferred Sponsor $3,725, Premier Sponsor $4,250, Signature Sponsor $4,775, Signature Plus Sponsor $5,300. Additional add-ons for Community & Connections events ($1,500) and Interim Report advertising ($1,500).
5. Affinity Partner Discounts: Partnership with providers including Wolters Kluwer CCH (25% book discount), CPACharge, KinderCare (10% tuition), UPS (up to 65% shipping discounts), and CPA exam review courses (20-35% discounts). Members access partner discounts through membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NCACPA delivers NASBA-approved continuing professional education (CPE) to over 12,000 CPA members and accounting professionals in North Carolina through conferences, webcasts, self-study courses, and the On Demand 365 subscription platform. The association also provides advocacy representation, peer networking via the Connect community platform, career resources, and affinity partner discounts. Membership is structured by licensee category (CPA, Associate, Educator, Student) with an annual May-through-April term.

Product overview

The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA) operates a membership-based professional association serving over 12,000 accounting professionals. The organization offers a unified portfolio of products and services centered on continuing professional education (CPE) and professional development. The core offerings include the CPE & Events Catalog with multiple delivery formats (in-person conferences, live webcasts, on-demand, self-study), supplemented by specialized programs like Don Farmer Tax Education and the CFO Series. The Connect platform serves as the primary member engagement hub, while upcoming initiatives include The Exchange Marketplace launching Summer 2026. Additional services include customized corporate training, career center resources, HR advisory hotline, and scholarship programs through the NC CPA Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Don Farmer Tax Education: Tax education programs including federal, individual, and corporate tax updates offered by NCACPA.
• NC CPA Foundation
• Young Professionals Cabinet

Products and services

• NCACPA CPE & Events Catalog NASBA-approved continuing professional education catalog offering 217+ events across in-person conferences, live webcasts, on-demand courses, self-study, and virtual conferences. Covers accounting, auditing, tax, ethics, finance, IT, and business management fields of study. Available to members and non-members at differentiated pricing.
• Don Farmer Tax Education Signature tax education program featuring 8-hour federal, individual, and corporate tax updates plus 2- and 4-hour hot-topic sessions on real estate, passive activities, Sec. 199A, partnerships, S corporations, and AI tax research. Delivered by a 40+ year national tax authority. Includes a monthly federal tax e-newsletter.
• NCACPA On Demand 365 Members-only annual subscription providing unlimited access to 100+ on-demand CPE courses in accounting, auditing, tax, ethics, and technology, valid from date of purchase through December 31. Includes self-study format with attendance checkpoints and a 30-day refund policy. Single course purchases available for non-members with 90-day access.
• CFO Series Eight CPE-credit standalone sessions covering risk, compliance, strategy, fraud, AI, quality, and leadership for senior finance leaders, with bundle pricing available for all five courses in the series.
• Connect Community Platform Member-exclusive online community platform for real-time peer-to-peer insights, Q&A forums, and advocacy updates; serves as the primary engagement platform for NCACPA's 12,000+ members.
• Customized Continuing Education Tailored professional education programs designed for firms, businesses, government agencies, and organizations. Covers technical accounting training, leadership development, and specialized industry knowledge delivered flexibly.
• NCACPA Conferences Annual conferences including Beach Cluster (August), TechFest Summer/Winter, Business & Industry Fall Conference, Professional Women's Conference, the Annual Symposium, and North Carolina Tax Forum, offered in-person and virtually with corporate sponsorship opportunities.
• The Exchange Marketplace Upcoming member-benefit marketplace platform providing smart solutions and strategic partners in one place; launching Summer 2026.
• HR Hotline Human resource advisory service delivered through a partnership with Strategic HR Solutions, providing one free 30-minute consultation per membership year on HR topics from talent acquisition to termination, with 48-hour response time Monday–Friday 8am–5pm ET.
• Career Center Online job board offering job postings, resume posting, and career resources with discounted member rates on posting fees for firms seeking accounting talent and members seeking roles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members save up to $100 per 8-hour CPE event compared to non-member pricing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wolters Kluwer (CCH)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering NCACPA members 25% discount on ALL CCH tax and accounting book titles year-round and 40% off select titles during promotions. Includes Master Tax Guide, State Tax Handbook, Internal Revenue Code, GAAP Guide. Also offers 25% discount on CCH Axcess Beneficial Ownership Solution for BOI filing to FinCEN.
• 8am CPAChargeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment and billing management platform for accounting professionals. NCACPA members receive 3 months with no monthly fee when starting with CPACharge. Features next-day deposits, Quick Bills, automated invoicing, and PCI-compliant security.
• KinderCare Learning CentersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuality childcare provider with exclusive 10% tuition discount for NCACPA members at KinderCare centers, Champions extended-day programs, and Champ Camp summer programs at participating schools.
• Strategic HR Solutions (SHRS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHuman resource advisory services partnership. NCACPA members receive one free 30-minute HR consultation per membership year (May 1-April 30). Services cover talent acquisition to termination with 48-hour response time Monday-Friday 8am-5pm ET.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShipping discounts for NCACPA members including 10% on UPS Next Day Air Early, 65% on Domestic Next Day/Deferred, 42% on Ground Commercial/Residential, and up to 65% on International Export. Free UPS Smart Pickup service.
• Lambers CPA Exam ReviewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCPA exam preparation course with 30% discount for NCACPA members on all products with special bundle pricing available.
• UWorld Roger CPA ReviewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCPA exam review with 20% discount on Unlimited access course for NCACPA members.
• Surgent CPA ReviewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPersonalized CPA review course with 35% NCACPA member discount. Features ReadySCORE technology, 700+ video lectures, 8,800+ multiple-choice questions, 450+ task-based simulations, and Access Until You Pass guarantee.
• Gleim CPA ReviewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCPA exam prep with SmartAdapt technology and 20% NCACPA member discount on all packages and individual sections. Nearly 50 years in accounting exam prep with over 1 million CPA exams passed.
• Don Farmer Tax EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned 40+ year national authority on federal, corporate, and individual income tax. Delivers engaging 8-hour tax seminars plus 2- and 4-hour hot topic sessions on real estate, passive activities, Sec. 199A, partnerships, S corporations, and AI tax research. Monthly federal tax e-newsletter.
• Coastal Peer ReviewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer review program for NCACPA members to ensure quality and compliance with professional standards.
• Encompass Financial PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerComprehensive financial planning, property and casualty, and consumer/commercial insurance products available exclusively to NCACPA members.
• Conference Venue PartnersminorOthersPartnerships with venues including Holiday Inn Resort Lumina Wrightsville Beach (Beach Cluster), Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa Asheville (B&I Fall Conference), Grandover Resort & Spa Greensboro (Annual Symposium), NC State University (Professional Women's Conference).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA): Largest US state CPA society with similar CPE, advocacy, networking, and member benefit offerings for Texas CPAs. Operates as a near-identical model to NCACPA but in a larger state, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• California Society of CPAs (CalCPA): California state CPA society offering CPE, member benefits, advocacy, and publications. Highly comparable in mission, product portfolio, and member-services model; provides a benchmark for how a large state society scales.
• New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA): One of the oldest and largest state CPA societies, offering CPE, advocacy, and member community in New York. Closely mirrors NCACPA's mission and operating model with a longer-established brand and broader membership base.
• Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA): Florida's state CPA society providing CPE, advocacy, networking, and member resources. Functions as a direct state-society peer with similar product mix, regulatory advocacy role, and member dues structure.

Emerging players

• Gleim: Long-standing CPA exam review and accounting CPE provider with SmartAdapt technology. Competes with NCACPA-affiliated exam prep discounts and offers a parallel CPE catalog aimed at the same CPA demographic.
• Surgent CPA Review: National CPA exam prep and CPE provider offering ReadySCORE adaptive learning. Competes with NCACPA's CPA exam review discount partnerships and offers competing CPE content, particularly attractive to digitally-native young CPAs.

Broad incumbents

• AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants): National professional organization for CPAs in the US, offering CPE, credentials (CGMA, CPA), and advocacy. It is the parent-level incumbent to which NCACPA is effectively the North Carolina state chapter, serving overlapping member needs at national scale.
• NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy): National regulatory body that registers CPE sponsors and governs CPA licensure standards. While not a direct competitor, NASBA sets the rules NCACPA must comply with as a CPE provider and indirectly defines the demand for NCACPA's products.
• Becker Professional Education: One of the largest national providers of CPA exam review and CPE, with established content libraries and corporate training programs. Competes with NCACPA on CPE delivery and customized CE for firms and enterprises.

Others

• Wolters Kluwer (CCH): Tax and accounting content provider that is both an NCACPA affinity partner (25% book discount) and a competitor in CPE-grade tax education. Comparable because it supplies much of the underlying tax content NCACPA distributes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCACPA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/ncacpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCACPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-carolina-association-of-cpas-ncacpa-
• Instagraminstagram.com/ncacpa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants