Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) - firm membership

CAQ is a nonpartisan public policy organization serving as the voice of U.S. public company auditors and matters related to the audits of public companies.

Mission

The mission of the CAQ is to (a) promote high-quality performance by U.S. public company auditors, (b) convene capital market stakeholders to advance the discussion of critical issues affecting audit quality, U.S. public company reporting, and investor trust in the capital markets, and (c) informed by independent research and analyses, champion policies and standards that bolster and support the effectiveness and responsiveness of U.S public company auditors and audits to dynamic market conditions.

Membership Eligibility

(a)Membership. Membership in the CAQ is available to Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) firms in one of two classes. Regular, full membership (“Membership”) is available to a CPA firm that is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) (such member firm, a “Member”). (b)Associate Membership. Alternatively, another class of membership (“Associate Membership”) is available to a CPA firm that is not registered with the PCAOB (such member firm, an “Associate Member”). Members and Associate Members are collectively referred to as “members.”

Membership Requirements

Each Member or Associate Member must (a) pay dues to the CAQ in an amount established by the Governing Board, and (b) use its best efforts to ensure that all of its partners, owners, shareholders, and employees residing in the U.S. and eligible for membership status in the AICPA acquire and retain AICPA membership. The Governing Board may establish such other criteria for Membership or Associate Membership as it deems appropriate.

Application and Acceptance to Membership

Any eligible CPA firm may seek Membership or Associate Membership in the CAQ by submitting an application in the prescribed form. The application will be considered by the CAQ on the basis of whether the applicant firm meets the Membership or Associate Membership eligibility or other criteria and agrees to comply with the requirements for either class of membership as determined by the Governing Board and in effect at the time of the CAQ’s receipt of the application.

Dues and Assessments

All members are required to pay applicable dues or assessments, which are to be approved annually by the Governing Board. Dues or assessments are due and payable in full at the time and in the manner determined by the CAQ. Dues or assessments are not subject to refund in whole or in part at any time including in the circumstance of: (a) a merger, consolidation, or other combination of two or more members; or (b) resignation, termination, or dissolution if a firm has enjoyed Membership or Associate Membership for any part of the year for which the dues or assessments apply.

Issuer is defined consistent with the PCAOB definition and the number of issuer audits is based on a firm’s PCAOB Form 2 information.

*Includes both firms registered with and not registered with the PCAOB

Resignation or Termination

Membership or Associate Membership in the CAQ may be terminated (a) by a member, upon written notice submitted by the member to the CAQ, (b) upon the member’s failure to meet the eligibility criteria or membership requirements or (c) in the case of a Member, upon revocation of the firm’s registration by the PCAOB.

Do you have questions?

For more information on the Center for Audit Quality, or if you have questions about the dues structure, email membership@thecaq.org