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The VBOA will be closed for Christmas beginning at 12 p.m. Weds., Dec. 24, and will reopen with normal hours on Monday, Dec. 29.

News

Williamson begins VBOA term

Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Christine B. Williamson, CPA, PMP, of Manassas, Virginia, to the Virginia Board of Accountancy effective Nov. 1, 2025.

Williamson has been in the advisory, tax and consulting business for more than 35 years and is currently a Partner at CohnReznick. She served as the firm’s Government Contracting Industry Practice Leader for over 17 years including several years as the Office Managing Partner for the Tysons Corner office. Her specialty is to provide advice on financial and complex accounting issues to government contracting clients. She has expert knowledge in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CA)S and tax compliance issues. 

Williamson is highly experienced with accounting software products for government contractors of various sizes and often serves in an advisory capacity for companies that are interested in customizing and incorporating compliance into their system. She was instrumental in forming a software implementation and consultation subsidiary business to clients using various project-based products. Additionally, she provides training and writes white papers on government contracting regulations both internally and for clients. 

Williamson pioneered the annual CohnReznick GovCon Lunch and Learn Series, in its 16th year and launched the GovCon Academy, teaching government contractors a variety of subjects. She is the co-author of the GAUGE report, in its 9th edition.

Williamson is a graduate of the University of Maryland. She is finishing an unexpired term, which will end June 30, 2026. Her first meeting was Dec. 4.

Find all board member bios here >>

Virginia passes legislation widening pathways to CPA licensure effective Jan. 1, 2026

New legislation signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin will widen the current pathways to CPA licensure effective Jan. 1, 2026. Throughout the remainder of 2025, the VBOA is working to update policies and procedures, including documentation requirements, to support the change.

In general, to become a licensed CPA in Virginia, you will still need to meet the 3 E’s: education, exam and experience. However, beginning in 2026, CPA candidates can choose one of three pathways to licensure in Virginia, each combining education and experience differently.

All applicants must still pass the CPA Exam, receive a bachelor’s or higher degree and complete an accounting concentration or equivalent as defined by the board. The new legislation has removed the total semester credit hour requirements historically associated with earning a Bachelor’s degree (120 hours) or a Master’s degree (30 hours).

Virginia’s Pathways to CPA Licensure (effective Jan. 1, 2026)

Virginia CPA Licensure Pathways

We will update the website with more details as they become available.

You can now use 529 plan funds to earn and maintain a CPA license

The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act expanded the rules for how 529 education savings accounts can be used to include costs associated with CPA licensing such as exam fees and continuing professional education courses.

These expanded rules apply to funds withdrawn after July 4, 2025.

If you’re a CPA exam candidate, they can be used tax free for testing fees, tutoring, online courses and application fees associated with the CPA exam.

If you’re an active CPA, you can use 529 funds tax free for continuing professional education course fees.

Find more information at invest529.com.

Summer newsletter out now

The latest issue of Accrued Interest is now available. Inside you will find:

  • A letter from Nadia A. Rogers, CPA, the VBOA’s new chair
  • The 9th edition of the UAA, out now
  • Highlights from the board meeting held at Virginia State University

Accrued Interest is published twice yearly in the winter and summer and is one of our primary sources for communicating to accounting professionals including individual licensees, firms and CPA exam candidates.

Share any questions or content ideas with Kelli Yoder, the Virginia Board of Accountancy communications coordinator: kelli.yoder@boa.virginia.gov or (804) 367-1586.

You can find all of the VBOA’s previous newsletters here >>.

2025 license renewals closed

The 2025 VBOA CPA license renewal season ended June 30.

If you missed the deadline, your license is now expired. To reinstate an individual license, you must demonstrate proof of 120 CPE hours and pay the $350 reinstatement fee. When your license is expired, you may not use the CPA title or provide attest or compilation services until your license has been reinstated and is shown as “Active” on the VBOA Licensee Search.

Please contact us by email at boa@boa.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 367-8505 with any questions regarding renewals.

Previous Education Handbook expired June 30

The previous version of the VBOA Education Handbook, which provides the education requirements for taking the CPA exam and licensure, expired on June 30, 2025. As of July 1, candidates need to follow the latest version of the Education Handbook. The latest version went into effect July 1, 2023, and provides the new education requirements that are the sole requirements accepted as of July 1, 2025.

You can find a chart outlining the changes that took effect with the new version of the handbook on page 7 of the Summer 2023 newsletter.

Phishing Alert

VBOA has recently been made aware of a phishing scam targeting Virginia CPAs. The phishing scam presents a sense of urgency by demanding that the recipient take immediate action to prevent a disruption to their license status by clicking a hyperlink. Please be aware that this is a phishing scam and is not from the Board of Accountancy. DO NOT CLICK on the link. Your license information is handled through our secure portal.

If you are ever concerned about the legitimacy of a communication from the board, please contact us at 804-367-8505 or boa@boa.virginia.gov.

Winter 2025 newsletter out now

The latest issue of Accrued Interest is now available. Inside you will find:

  • In Memoriam: William R. Brown, CPA, MBA
  • Guy Davis, CPA, joins VBOA
  • Highlights from the board meeting held at Virginia Tech

Accrued Interest is published twice yearly in the winter and summer and is one of our primary sources for communicating to accounting professionals including individual licensees, firms and CPA exam candidates.

Share any questions or content ideas with Kelli Yoder, the Virginia Board of Accountancy communications coordinator: kelli.yoder@boa.virginia.gov or (804) 367-1586.

You can find all of the VBOA’s previous newsletters here >>.

2025 VBOA-approved ethics courses now available

CPAs can begin meeting the annual ethics CPE requirement as of Feb. 1, 2025. VBOA-approved ethics courses can be found here:

 
The VBOA pre-approves all providers and courses that meet the annual ethics requirement. Courses and providers will continue to be approved and posted on the VBOA website throughout 2025. It is the CPA’s responsibility to ensure the course they take is a 2025 VBOA-approved ethics course. 
 
For more about the ethics course format and the application process for new providers, please review the frequently asked questions page. Providers interested in offering a 2025 VBOA-approved ethics course can apply online here: