WATCH OUT FOR UNAUTHORIZED ADS.

In California, only licensed CPAs are allowed to advertise themselves as accountants. So, when you look under "accountants-certified" in the yellow pages of your local phone book, you should expect the listing to include only your CPA peers.

However, this isn't always the case. It's not unusual to find advertising by unlicensed individuals. (Note: The state's few remaining public accountants may advertise in the yellow pages as "accountants-public.")

If you notice an inappropriate advertisement, send a copy of it to: California Board of Accountancy; Enforcement Division; 2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250; Sacramento CA 95815-3832.