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Add Practical Client Value
Provide another resource for businesses reviewing processing expenses, accepting payments, or upgrading technology.
CPA Referral Partnerships
CPA Referral Partnerships for Accounting Firms
CPA referral partnerships with Valued Merchant Services give eligible accounting firms a way to connect business clients with merchant processing, payment technology, and practical business solutions.
Help clients evaluate payment costs and operating needs while exploring permissible referral revenue opportunities that respect your professional standards and client relationships.
For qualifying accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory organizations. Referral compensation is subject to applicable professional rules and agreement.
Since 2006
VMS experience
All 50 States
Nationwide service
Client-First
Needs-based discussions
Multiple Tools
Beyond processing
Understanding the opportunity
What Are CPA Referral Partnerships?
CPA referral partnerships are arrangements through which eligible accounting professionals introduce business clients to an outside provider for relevant services. In a VMS merchant services referral relationship, the accounting firm identifies a potential payment or operating need, and VMS evaluates available solutions. Permitted compensation, referrals, disclosure requirements, and responsibilities are established through a written agreement.
✓
Keep Your Professional Role Clear
Your firm remains focused on accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and advisory responsibilities. VMS handles agreed merchant service activities.
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Consider Eligible Referral Revenue
Where professional standards and applicable law permit, discuss compensation for qualifying introductions under a written agreement. Income is never guaranteed.
Accounting professionals we serve
Referral Opportunities for Different Accounting Practices.
Not all accounting firms provide the same services. As a result, VMS begins by understanding your clients, business model, and professional obligations rather than assuming every practice should refer merchants in the same way.
CPA & Tax Firms
Firms supporting business owners with tax planning, accounting, or advisory work may encounter questions about processing expenses and payment systems. Any referral arrangement must respect independence and ethics rules.
Bookkeeping Firms
Bookkeepers often help reconcile merchant deposits, categorize payment fees, and understand recurring operating expenses. These conversations can reveal legitimate payment service needs.
Outsourced CFO & Advisory Firms
Fractional CFOs and financial consultants regularly discuss cash flow, technology, vendor costs, and business operations. Therefore, relevant merchant solutions may complement broader advisory work.
A natural conversation starter
A Merchant Processing Cost Review Can Start With One Simple Question.
"When was the last time you reviewed your business's payment processing expenses?"
For example, a restaurant or retailer may see merchant fees on its operating statement but may not understand the pricing structure behind those charges. An independent review can help identify relevant questions and available alternatives.
Because processing costs vary by card mix, transaction size, service needs, and pricing structure, a useful comparison begins with actual merchant statements, not assumptions about guaranteed savings.
Example: What an Accounting Professional May Notice
Financial statement
Recurring merchant fees
Client question
"Are these costs competitive?"
Possible next step
Payment statement review
VMS role
Analyze needs and options
Professional's role
Approved introduction
Illustrative scenario only. No savings amount or compensation is assumed. Client information should be shared only through an approved process with any required authorization.
Solutions beyond the expense line
More Ways to Help Your Business Clients Operate.
Processing cost reviews can be a useful starting point. However, clients also need equipment, software, payment acceptance, and operational solutions as their businesses grow.
VMS offers or facilitates a wider portfolio of services. Therefore, CPA referral partnerships can focus on relevant needs rather than promoting a single product.
The scope of any partnership should be agreed upon beforehand, particularly when a service may overlap with the accounting firm's own offerings.
Card Processing Reviews
Merchant Processing
POS Systems
Ecommerce Payments
ACH & Check Services
Mobile Payments
Gift & Loyalty Tools
Business Technology
Payroll & HR Options
Other Approved Services
Simple, defined introductions
How a CPA or Accounting Firm Referral Partnership Works.
The process starts with an exploratory conversation about your firm, your clients, and whether an appropriate relationship can be established. Only eligible, approved referrals should move forward under the program.
01
Discuss Fit
Review the types of businesses you serve, common client questions, and relevant VMS solutions.
02
Review Requirements
Address professional independence, permitted commissions, disclosures, confidentiality, and written program terms.
03
Introduce Eligible Clients
Use the approved referral process with necessary client authorization. VMS evaluates the business's actual needs.
04
Coordinate Service
VMS handles agreed solution activities. Reporting and any permitted compensation follow the signed agreement.
Protecting professional trust
CPA Referral Partnerships Must Respect Professional Standards and Client Confidentiality.
Accountants are trusted with sensitive business information. That's why a responsible referral arrangement should address professional conduct, disclosure, conflicts, and client authorization before any introductions or compensation occur.
Independence & Attest Work
Certain CPA engagements, including specified audit, review, and compilation services, can restrict receiving commissions. Firms must determine whether a proposed arrangement is permitted for particular clients.
Commission Disclosure
Where compensation is permitted, applicable professional rules may require disclosures. The parties should address timing, documentation, and responsible communications before referrals begin.
Client Confidentiality
Accounting records, tax information, and merchant statements should not be transferred to VMS without the necessary permissions and an approved information-sharing process.
Client-First Recommendations
Referrals should be guided by client needs, not compensation. Accounting firms should consider conflicts, relevant state rules, firm policies, and other applicable duties.
Professional guidance:
The
AICPA's professional responsibilities resource
describes relevant duties,
including integrity, objectivity,
client confidentiality, and
commission disclosures.
The
IRS tax professional guidance
also discusses conflicts
and protecting taxpayer data.
These independent resources
are not approvals or
endorsements of VMS.
Firms should evaluate
current professional
standards, licensing rules,
and applicable law with
their own advisers.
An established potential partner
Your Client Relationships Deserve a Thoughtful Handoff.
Founded in Idaho in 2006, Valued Merchant Services serves businesses nationwide with merchant processing, payment technology, and related business solutions.
The company is led by co-founders Sean Ruppel, CEO, and Chris Del Grande, President. VMS emphasizes consultative conversations, practical solutions, and ongoing merchant support.
A recommendation from an accounting professional carries significant weight. For that reason, we believe roles, communication, and client expectations should be clear from the beginning.
Learn more about Valued Merchant Services and our broader Business Referral Partnerships .
Illustrative image, not a photograph of an actual CPA firm partnership.
Questions accounting firms ask
CPA Referral Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions.
These questions cover merchant service referrals, client value, eligible compensation, professional responsibilities, and how to explore a potential relationship.
What are CPA referral partnerships?
CPA referral partnerships are arrangements in which eligible accounting firms introduce clients to outside providers for relevant services. For VMS, that may involve merchant processing, payment technology, or other approved business solutions. Any compensation and obligations require an acceptable written agreement.
Can CPA firms earn merchant services referral commissions?
Sometimes, depending on the engagements involved, applicable professional rules, state requirements, and firm policies. Certain attest services restrict commissions, and permitted compensation may require disclosures. Each firm must determine eligibility before participating.
Do accounting firms need to sell merchant services?
Not necessarily. In a referral-oriented arrangement, an eligible accounting firm can make approved introductions while VMS discusses specific services with the business. The agreed program defines each party's role.
How can a bookkeeper identify a merchant processing referral?
A bookkeeper may notice recurring processing expenses or encounter questions about deposits, card fees, and reconciliation. If the client wants help, an approved introduction may connect the business with VMS for a review.
Can a fractional CFO or business adviser partner with VMS?
VMS considers referrals from fractional CFOs and financial consultants. These professionals frequently discuss operating expenses and technology with clients. Any program must respect applicable duties and conflicts requirements.
Is the program available to small accounting firms?
Yes, VMS considers inquiries from practices of different sizes. Whether a particular firm qualifies depends on its business model, client needs, relevant professional obligations, and acceptable partnership terms.
How does a merchant processing cost review work?
VMS can review relevant processing statements, transaction patterns, pricing, and service requirements to discuss available options. The review does not guarantee savings, and merchant information must be provided with appropriate authorization.
Does a referred client have to change processors?
Not always. Certain payment services require a processing or equipment change. Other reviews or business services may be available without switching. Recommendations depend on the specific need.
How is accounting referral compensation calculated?
When allowed, an approved agreement may provide a one-time referral fee, ongoing revenue sharing, or another permitted arrangement. Eligibility, calculations, payment terms, and disclosures are addressed in writing. No revenue is guaranteed.
Must an accountant disclose a referral fee?
Depending on professional status and circumstances, disclosure may be required. AICPA standards address commissions and referral fees, and state licensing rules can impose further requirements. The firm should assess its specific obligations.
Can an auditor participate in a commission-based referral?
Certain attest engagements prohibit commissions for the affected client under applicable CPA professional standards. A firm should evaluate independence, engagement periods, client circumstances, and all applicable rules before considering any compensation.
Can a CPA firm share client statements directly with VMS?
Only when the firm has the required authorization and the sharing complies with its confidentiality obligations, applicable privacy rules, and approved procedures. Firms should avoid transferring sensitive information unnecessarily.
What happens after an accounting firm refers a client?
VMS follows the agreed introduction process, discusses the client's specific needs, and presents available solutions as appropriate. Service responsibilities, reporting, and permitted compensation follow the written agreement.
Is this different from VMS's individual affiliate program?
Yes. A professional firm referral partnership focuses on organization-level relationships, client obligations, and written operating terms. Individual affiliate participation is a separate program.
How can our accounting firm explore a relationship with VMS?
Complete the partnership inquiry form below or call 208-243-0818. Share your firm's services, approximate client profile, and what you'd like to accomplish. The initial conversation carries no obligation.
Explore an accounting firm partnership
Let's Discuss a Referral Partnership for Your Firm.
Whether you're a CPA firm, bookkeeper, fractional CFO, or accounting service provider, we'd welcome a conversation about business client needs, potential program fit, and applicable professional considerations.
Form not displaying? Open the partnership inquiry form directly.
Submitting an inquiry does not establish a partnership, determine commission eligibility, or guarantee revenue. Professional obligations and program terms must be reviewed before approval.
Valued Merchant Services provides or facilitates services subject to eligibility, approval, provider availability, and contractual terms. Processing savings and referral income are not guaranteed. This page is informational and does not constitute accounting, tax, legal, or professional ethics advice. Certain CPA engagements and professional standards may prohibit commissions or require disclosures. Accounting firms and professionals are responsible for evaluating applicable AICPA rules, state board requirements, confidentiality, independence, conflicts, and firm policies. Client information must be handled with proper authorization. Any permitted compensation is governed by an approved written agreement. Images are illustrative.