Accounting Firm in Memphis

June 14, 2026

An accounting firm in Memphis serves a market shaped by logistics, distribution, healthcare, manufacturing, and a large base of privately held and family-owned businesses. Working with a local firm gives clients access to professionals who understand the Bluff City’s economy and who can provide year-round support across tax, audit, and advisory needs rather than a once-a-year transaction. Memphis is Tennessee’s second largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its position as a national freight and distribution hub gives many local firms deep experience with the transportation, warehousing, and supply chain sectors.

Not all accounting work in Tennessee requires a CPA. Non-CPAs can legally provide general bookkeeping, payroll processing, and basic tax preparation. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) title and attest services, including financial statement audits and reviews, are restricted to individuals and firms licensed by the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. The board operates under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and regulates both individual CPAs and registered accounting firms. Consumers can confirm a CPA or firm license through the board’s public lookup at verify.tn.gov before hiring a provider.

The choice between a CPA firm and a general accounting service becomes important whenever the work involves outside parties such as banks, investors, regulators, or the IRS. A lender underwriting a commercial loan, a nonprofit overseeing federal funds, or a buyer performing acquisition due diligence will usually require statements accompanied by a licensed CPA’s audit, review, or compilation report. Many Memphis firms also belong to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), which establish professional standards and continuing education requirements. These memberships are voluntary but indicate a firm’s engagement with current standards in assurance, tax, and ethics.

Service offerings among Memphis firms generally include tax planning and compliance, audit and assurance, advisory and consulting, outsourced accounting and bookkeeping, and payroll. Larger firms add specialized practices such as business valuation, transaction advisory, wealth management, and industry-focused consulting for sectors like financial institutions, manufacturing and distribution, and nonprofits. Tennessee imposes no state income tax on wages, which influences planning for individuals and businesses, although federal obligations, the state’s franchise and excise taxes on businesses, and the 7% state sales tax plus local option still apply. Consumers who encounter deceptive practices can contact the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while complaints about a CPA’s professional conduct go to the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy.

Top Accounting Firm Providers in Memphis

1. Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck, PLC

Address: Clark Centre, 5100 Wheelis Drive, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 682-2431
Website: https://rbgcpa.com
Services: accounting and audit, taxation, advisory services, client advisory and accounting services, wealth advisory
Description: Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck, PLC is the oldest Memphis-based CPA firm, founded in 1916 as Shannon, Reynolds & Bone, and its founders were among the first certified public accountants licensed in Tennessee. The firm provides accounting and auditing, taxation, and advisory services, and offers wealth advisory through its affiliated RBG Wealth Advisors. It serves a broad client base that includes financial services, manufacturing and distribution, retail and dealerships, real estate, employee benefit plans, not-for-profit organizations, and private wealth clients. Over more than a century in Memphis, the firm has positioned itself as one of the city’s largest locally based CPA and advisory practices.

2. ATA (Alexander Thompson Arnold)

Address: 6525 N Quail Hollow Road, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38120
Phone: (901) 684-1170
Website: https://ata.net
Services: assurance, tax preparation and planning, client accounting, business valuation, CFO and controller outsourcing, transaction advisory, wealth management, risk advisory, international tax
Description: ATA is a regional CPA and advisory firm whose Memphis office is staffed by more than 200 team members, part of a firm ranked among the top 150 nationally and recognized among the largest accounting firms in the Memphis area. The firm operates roughly 15 offices across Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Mississippi, including locations in Memphis, Nashville, and Jackson. Its services span assurance, tax, client accounting, business valuation, CFO and controller outsourcing, transaction advisory, risk advisory, international tax, and wealth management through affiliated entities. Industries served include agriculture, construction and real estate, financial institutions, governmental entities, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, and nonprofit organizations. The firm states that it adheres to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

3. McCune & Bell CPAs, PLLC

Address: 5050 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2030, Memphis, TN 38157
Phone: (901) 755-1351
Website: https://www.jmccunecpa.com
Services: auditing and assurance, tax planning and preparation, IRS tax problem resolution, state and local tax (SALT), outsourced accounting and bookkeeping, outsourced CFO services, QuickBooks accounting, business consulting, business incorporation
Description: McCune & Bell CPAs, PLLC is a Memphis CPA firm located on Poplar Avenue that describes itself as small enough to offer responsiveness while maintaining big-firm capability. Its services include auditing and assurance, tax planning and preparation, IRS tax problem resolution, state and local tax services, outsourced accounting and bookkeeping, outsourced CFO services, QuickBooks accounting, and business consulting and incorporation. The firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and holds Better Business Bureau accreditation. It serves a variety of niche industries across the Memphis area, working with both businesses and individual clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accounting Firm in Memphis

Q: Do I need a CPA, or can a regular accountant handle my taxes in Memphis?

It depends on the work. General bookkeeping, payroll, and basic tax return preparation can be handled by a non-CPA accountant. The CPA title and attest services such as audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements are legally restricted to individuals and firms licensed by the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. If a lender, investor, grantor, or regulator requires audited or reviewed financial statements, you will need a licensed CPA firm.

Q: How do I verify that an accounting firm in Memphis is a licensed CPA firm?

You can verify both individual CPAs and registered accounting firms through the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, which operates under the Department of Commerce and Insurance. The board provides a public license lookup at verify.tn.gov, and you can also reach the board by phone at 888-453-6150. Confirming the license verifies that the firm is authorized to use the CPA designation and provide attest services in Tennessee.

Q: What is the difference between an audit, a review, and a compilation?

These are three levels of assurance a CPA firm can provide on financial statements. An audit offers the highest level of assurance and involves testing and verification to express an opinion. A review provides limited assurance through inquiry and analytical procedures. A compilation presents management’s financial information in statement form without providing assurance. All three, when issued under a CPA report, must come from a licensed CPA firm.

Q: Does Tennessee charge state income tax on individuals?

Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages and salaries. This affects how individuals and businesses approach tax planning, though federal income tax obligations remain, and businesses must still address Tennessee’s franchise and excise taxes and the 7% state sales tax plus the applicable local option rate. A CPA firm can help structure compliance with both federal and state requirements.

Q: What should I look for when choosing an accounting firm in Memphis?

Consider whether the firm holds an active license with the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, whether it offers the services you need (tax, audit, advisory, bookkeeping, or payroll), and whether it has experience in your industry, such as logistics, healthcare, or manufacturing. Membership in the AICPA and the Tennessee Society of CPAs indicates engagement with current professional standards. For audit or assurance work, confirm the firm is a registered CPA firm rather than a bookkeeping-only service.

Q: How do I file a complaint about an accounting firm in Memphis?

Complaints about a CPA’s professional conduct or licensing should be directed to the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. For disputes involving deceptive business practices, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104) and accepts consumer complaints. Keeping your engagement letter, invoices, and correspondence helps support any complaint you file.