10 Best CPA Firms in Georgia for Government Accounting: 2026 Guide

Government entities face accounting, reporting, and compliance requirements that can differ significantly from those of private businesses. From fund accounting and annual financial reporting to federal grant compliance and specialized audit requirements, public-sector organizations need CPA firms that specialize in government accounting and understand the standards, regulations, and practical challenges unique to government finance.

This is a small niche to choose from, and it makes finding a qualified CPA firm particularly difficult.

Georgia is home to a number of CPA firms with demonstrated experience serving cities, counties, authorities, state agencies, federal entities, and other government organizations. Some provide broad accounting and advisory support, while others have built specialized practices around government audits or particular areas of public-sector finance.

For this 2026 guide, we identified 10 of the best government accounting CPA firms with an established presence in Georgia and documented experience working with government organizations. We intentionally focused on small to mid-sized firms spread across Georgia rather than the “Big Four” or other very large national accounting firms, since local accessibility and hands-on support can be particularly valuable to municipalities and other government organizations.

What Services Do Government CPA Firms Provide?

Government accounting encompasses much more than an annual audit. Depending on the organization and engagement, a government CPA firm may work with a municipality, county, authority, state agency, federal entity, or other public organization on its day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, independent audits, or specialized financial projects.

Government accounting is a highly specialized area of the profession, and further, the accountants or auditors performing the services should be trained on standards set by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Government Auditing Standards, Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, and/or Uniform Guidance.

It is usually not enough to contract just any CPA firm- instead, it is critical that a government entity work with a CPA firm that regularly serves government organizations.

10 Government CPA Firms in Georgia

1. CKH Group

Best for: Governments looking for a long-term accounting and audit partner with established Georgia resources across the state.

Georgia locations: Atlanta and Hawkinsville

CKH Group is an Atlanta-headquartered CPA and advisory firm with more than 250 professionals across eight offices and a dedicated government practice serving federal, state, and local government entities in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. CKH also maintains an office in Hawkinsville, giving the firm a physical presence in both Metro Atlanta and Middle Georgia.

CKH’s portfolio of past and present clients includes more that 100 locations across the southeast, with a central focus on Georgia. The firm offers a wider breadth of government services covering both accounting and auditing services as well as an expanded advisory, training, and compliance role, capable of getting municipalities caught up and audit-ready.

The firm also takes a hands-on approach to government education and community involvement, regularly providing free CPE courses for government finance professionals, participating in organizations and events including GGFOA, GFOA, GMCA, and ACCG, and driving directly to cities and counties across Georiga to meet and understand municipal needs.

Government focus: Municipalities, counties, regional commissions, authorities, state and federal entities, government contractors, and other public organizations

Key services:

• • Government accounting
  • Financial statement audits
  • Single audits
  • Forensic audits
  • Internal control testing
  • Staff augmentation
  • Reporting – payroll reporting, RLGF Support, SPLOST
  • SOC examinations
  • Government accounting education and CPE

Why Consider CKH: CKH Group’s size, locations, depth of expertise, and hands-on community involvement make them the strongest option on this list for government entities who need personal and highly responsive auditing, accounting, and advisory support.

2. VAAS Professionals, LLC

Best for: Federal agencies and government organizations needing financial management, grants, program support, or staff augmentation

Georgia location: Atlanta

Government focus: Federal, state, and local government agencies

Atlanta-based and minority owned, VAAS Professionals is a CPA and management consulting firm with a government practice that extends well beyond traditional accounting and audit work. Founded in 2003, the firm has built a particularly strong presence in federal contracting, with more than 30 government contracts awarded since 2016.

That experience includes work supporting federal agencies such as the CDC across financial risk assessments, grant reviews, program analysis, administrative and technical support, data management, and public-health initiatives. This makes VAAS a particularly interesting option for agencies that need a firm capable of supporting both the financial side of government operations and the broader execution of programs and projects.

VAAS also has much of the infrastructure agencies look for in an established federal contractor, including a GSA Multiple Award Schedule, UEI and CAGE registration. The firm is CMMC Level 1 certified and Level 2 ready, which may also be valuable for federal engagements involving heightened cybersecurity and contracting requirements.

Key services:

• • Financial management
  • Audit and attestation
  • Grants management
  • Fiscal oversight
  • Internal controls
  • Change management
  • Staff augmentation and professional support
  • Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

Why consider VAAS: VAAS combines the financial background of a CPA firm with the flexibility and contracting experience of a government professional-services firm. Its federal project history, staffing capabilities, and contracting infrastructure make it especially well suited to federal agencies.

3. Rushton

Best for: North Georgia governments looking for an established audit firm with strong internal control and forensic accounting capabilities

Georgia locations: Gainesville and Alpharetta

Government focus: Counties, municipalities, authorities, and other public organizations

Gainesville-based Rushton has an established Government & Non-Profit practice serving counties, municipalities, authorities, and other public organizations, with offices in Gainesville and Alpharetta. Its North Georgia presence makes it a natural firm to consider for governments in that part of the state, particularly those primarily seeking audit and compliance support.

One of Rushton’s primary focuses is internal controls and forensic work. In addition to financial statement and Single Audits, its government team works with organizations on risk assessments, control testing, walkthroughs, policy and procedure reviews, fraud prevention and detection, forensic reviews, and fraud risk assessments. The practice includes multiple Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs), including professionals at the partner level.

Rushton also demonstrates a strong focus on Georgia-specific government compliance, with experience related to SPLOST, hotel/motel tax, state and federal grants, and evolving GASB requirements. That combination makes the firm particularly relevant for governments looking to pair a traditional financial statement audit with closer examination of controls, compliance, or potential fraud risks.

Key services:

• • Financial statement audits
  • Single Audits
  • Grant compliance
  • Internal controls
  • SPLOST
  • Hotel/motel compliance
  • Forensic reviews and fraud risk assessments

Why consider Rushton: Rushton is a strong option for North Georgia governments that want an experienced local government auditor, particularly when internal controls, regulatory compliance, or forensic accounting are important considerations alongside the annual audit.

4. Myers and Stauffer

Best for: State and federal health and human services agencies with highly specialized program oversight and compliance needs

Georgia location: Atlanta

Government focus: Federal, state, and local health and human services agencies

Myers and Stauffer stands apart because its practice is dedicated almost exclusively to government-sponsored programs. Founded in 1977, the national CPA and consulting firm has supported government engagements across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., U.S. territories, and federal programs, with a particular depth of experience in health and human services.

Its specialization is focused on Medicaid and Medicare, where the firm works with agencies on issues such as provider reimbursement, payment and program integrity, managed care oversight, rate setting, fraud, waste and abuse, and complex regulatory compliance. In Georgia, Myers and Stauffer serves as a contractor to the Georgia Department of Community Health in support of the state’s Medicaid program.

Beyond Medicaid and Medicare, the firm supports public health, child welfare, child care, food and nutrition, behavioral health, justice-involved health care, and other federally or state-funded programs. Its teams combine accounting and audit expertise with clinical, policy, data, and program specialists, allowing the firm to address issues that extend beyond traditional government financial reporting.

Key services:

• • Program integrity
  • Forensic accounting
  • Managed care oversight
  • Rate setting
  • Grant compliance
  • Health IT
  • Data analytics
  • Program transformation

Why consider Myers and Stauffer: Government health and human services agencies with complex reimbursement, program integrity, data, or regulatory requirements may benefit from a firm dedicated specifically to that environment.

5. Perry L. Henry, LLC

Best for: Smaller governments in Southwest Georgia looking for an established local CPA firm

Georgia location: Bainbridge

Government focus: Government and nonprofit entities

Perry L. Henry, LLC is a small but well established CPA practice in Southwest Georgia. The firm’s roots in Bainbridge stretch back to 1994, when Perry Henry joined the CPA practice operating from the same office; he took over the practice under the Perry L. Henry name in 2006.

The firm emphasizes long-term client relationships and personal attention, backed by a staff with more than 60 years of combined public accounting experience. Perry Henry is both a CPA and a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), a credential specifically focused on the financial management requirements and responsibilities of the government environment.

Government entities are an established part of the firm’s client base, with its work centered primarily on traditional audit and attest engagements. That focused approach may be a good fit for smaller municipalities that value direct access to an experienced, locally based CPA firm.

Key services:

• • Audits
  • Agreed-upon procedures
  • Compilations
  • Reviews

Why consider Perry L. Henry: Governments in Southwest Georgia that value a small, established local practice and primarily need traditional audit and attest services form a trusted CPA.

6. Walker, Pierce & Tuck, P.C.

Best for: North Georgia municipalities seeking a smaller local firm with demonstrated government audit experience

Georgia location: Gainesville

Government focus: Municipal and county governments

Gainesville based Walker, Pierce & Tuck, P.C. is a smaller CPA firm with a well-established track record auditing local governments across North Georgia. Some of its longstanding relationships with municipalities in the region include the cities of Helen and Sugar Hill, where the firm has served as an independent auditor across multiple annual audit cycles.

Walker, Pierce & Tuck’ continuity is one of their strengths. They have worked with some municipal clients for many years, bringing experience with the financial reporting, internal control, and compliance requirements facing Georgia local governments. Its government engagements include financial statement audits performed under Government Auditing Standards, as well as reporting on internal controls and compliance.

The firm has also appeared on the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center’s published membership list. The GAQC is a voluntary membership center for CPA firms performing governmental audits, with members subject to specific governmental audit quality requirements and continuing education expectations.

Key services:

• • Financial statement audits
  • Government Auditing Standards engagements
  • Internal control and compliance reporting
  • Single Audits

Why consider Walker, Pierce & Tuck: Its longstanding relationships with North Georgia municipalities and focused government audit experience may appeal to smaller cities and counties that prioritize continuity, local accessibility, and an established auditor relationship.

7. PJC Group, LLC

Best for: Atlanta-area governments looking for a long-established accounting firm for nonprofit experience

Georgia location: Atlanta

Government focus: Governmental and nonprofit organizations

Key services: Audits, compliance audits, accounting support, financial statement preparation, policies and procedures, and operational assessments

Founded in 1980, PJC Group is a minority-owned Atlanta public accounting firm with more than four decades of experience. Government and nonprofit work make up a significant portion of its practice, with the firm reporting that approximately 80% of its overall business and client base comes from these two sectors.

PJC brings experience with municipalities and other public-sector organizations, including larger Georgia government engagements such as Fulton County. Its team also has experience with Single Audits and federal programs including CDBG, HOME, ESG, and Ryan White, giving the firm relevant experience for organizations managing federal funding and its associated compliance requirements.

Beyond the annual audit, PJC works with organizations on the financial processes that support accurate reporting, including closing accounting records, preparing financial statements, developing policies and procedures, and assessing operations. The firm is also a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

Key services:

• • Audits/compliance audits
  • Single Audits
  • Accounting support
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Policies and procedures
  • Operational assessments

Why consider PJC Group: Its 40-year longevity in Atlanta, and government and nonprofit specialization make it a notable option for public organizations seeking a smaller firm with deep experience.

8. Milton CPA Services, LLC

Best for: Smaller municipalities and counties in Middle and South Georgia needing hands-on accounting and local government support

Georgia location: McRae-Helena

Government focus: Municipalities and counties

Milton CPA Services is a McRae-Helena CPA firm with a dedicated team focused on municipal and county governments. Their experience spans both government auditing and the underlying accounting work that keeps local governments running. The firm works with governments on day-to-day accounting operations and monthly close requirements in addition to annual financial reporting and audit engagements.

One of Milton’s strengths is its familiarity with some of the more specialized financial issues facing Georgia local governments. Its government work includes capital asset accounting and reporting, SPLOST and TSPLOST-funded projects, landfill financial assurance, bond issuances, and compliance related to pensions and other post-employment benefits (OPEB). The firm also provides education and training for government personnel.

Milton’s government audit experience is also demonstrated through engagements with municipalities and counties in the region, including the City of McRae-Helena and Wheeler County, with work performed under Government Auditing Standards. The firm is also a member of the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center.

Key services:

• • Financial audits
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Capital asset accounting
  • SPLOST/TSPLOST
  • Single Audits
  • Landfill financial assurance
  • Bond issuance support

Why consider Milton CPA Services: Its combination of government audit experience and hands-on accounting support may be particularly useful for smaller municipalities and counties in middle Georgia that need help maintaining their financial records throughout the year.

9. Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC

Best for: Local governments in South Georgia looking for a smaller regional CPA firm with established government audit experience

Georgia location: Valdosta

Government focus: Local governments and nonprofits

Based in Valdosta, Valenti, Rackley & Associates is a regional CPA firm serving individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and local governments throughout South Georgia. For public organizations in and around the Valdosta region, the firm offers a locally based alternative to larger practices concentrated in Metro Atlanta and other parts of the state.

Its government experience includes audits performed under Government Auditing Standards, including work for organizations such as the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. The firm also has an established history of Single Audit work involving organizations receiving federal awards, giving it experience with the additional compliance requirements that accompany federal funding.

That combination of government and nonprofit experience is relevant for regional commissions and other public or community organizations whose operations may involve multiple funding sources, federal grants, and related compliance responsibilities.

Key services:

• • Financial statement audits
  • Government Auditing Standards engagements
  • Single Audits
  • Internal control and compliance reporting
  • Accounting and advisory services

Why consider Valenti, Rackley & Associates: A potentially strong fit for South Georgia governments seeking traditional audit and assurance capabilities from a locally established CPA practice.

10. Morris & Waters, LLC

Best for: Smaller Georgia cities and counties seeking a CPA firm devoted specifically to local government accounting and auditing

Georgia location: Canton

Government focus: Smaller Georgia municipalities and counties

Canton-based Morris & Waters has one of the most concentrated government practices on this list. Rather than maintaining separate commercial, individual tax, and government divisions, the firm focuses its audit and accounting practice specifically on smaller Georgia municipalities and counties. Its partners bring more than 40 years of combined governmental audit experience.

That focus is particularly relevant for smaller governments, where finance departments may consist of only a handful of people or where accounting responsibilities are shared among employees wearing several different hats. Morris & Waters has built its practice around that environment, emphasizing direct involvement from experienced professionals and support for government staff throughout the financial reporting and audit process.

The firm’s client experience spans small cities and counties across Georgia, as well as development authorities, utility operations, and other governmental entities. Its focus on smaller governments is particularly relevant for communities with lean finance departments, where preparing for the annual audit and meeting state reporting requirements can require more direct support from the CPA firm.

Key services:

• • Annual financial and compliance audits
  • RLGF preparation
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Single Audits and grant accounting
  • SPLOST audits
  • Internal controls
  • Budget analysis

Why consider Morris & Waters: Smaller North Georgia municipalities looking specifically for a government-focused boutique firm may find its highly concentrated practice particularly relevant.

How to Choose a Government CPA Firm in Georgia

Government finances come with a level of public responsibility that makes accurate accounting, compliance, and reporting particularly important. Choosing the right CPA firm means looking beyond general accounting experience and evaluating how well a firm’s public-sector expertise matches your organization.

While it may be tempting to gravitate towards the biggest firm, cheapest firm, or firm with the flashiest past performance, its worth considering these factors in your decision making:

Government Past Performance

Start with the type and size of governments the firm regularly serves. Government experience can mean very different things. A firm that primarily works with large state or federal agencies may have impressive credentials but little experience with the day-to-day realities of a small municipality. Likewise, a firm built around smaller cities and counties may not have the staffing or specialized resources required for a large state agency or complex federal program.

This distinction can be especially important for smaller local governments, where a handful of employees may be responsible for everything from accounts payable and payroll to grant reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, and audit preparation. In that environment, a CPA firm familiar with lean government finance departments may be better equipped to provide practical support and identify problems before they become audit issues.

Service Specialties

Consider the specific government services and expertise you need as well. Some firms primarily perform annual financial statement audits, while others provide ongoing accounting support. Some firms specialize in federal requirements while others focus on municipal accounting. The right choice depends on both what you need today and what you may need over the course of the relationship.

Government Audit Independence

Independence requirements can affect which firms are permitted to perform which services for one entity. Under Government Auditing Standards published by the Government Accountability Office, auditors must be objective and free from bias, which means that if a firm has performed accounting services for a municipality they can not also perform their financial statement audit.

This is why governments should begin their CPA search by defining the problem or service they need addressed because their existing accountant might not necessarily be able to perform required audit services.

This is one of the reasons why we have put together this guide – as even though CKH Group can perform both auditing and accounting services, we often work alongside other CPA firms due to this independence requirement.

Geography and Capacity

Although much of accounting can now be handled remotely, onsite support may still be valuable when records haven’t been fully digitized, prior-year accounting needs to be brought current, staff need hands-on assistance, or physical documentation must be reviewed. Looking for a government CPA firm near you is a great way to start your search.

At the same time, consider whether the firm has enough capacity to meet your deadlines and scale its team when a project requires additional accountants, auditors, or specialists. A small local firm may be the best fit geographically, but not have capacity. Meanwhile, a larger firm may offer more capacity and staffing, but not be the closest nearby. Weigh your needs to determine priority.

Ultimately, the question is which firm has the government experience, services, capacity, location, and engagement approach that best match your organization’s needs.

CKH Group: Your Trusted Georgia Government Accounting Firm

Georgia has a diverse range of cities, towns, counties, and government entities. The accounting support those organizations need can be equally diverse. That is why putting together an equally diverse list was important to us to help our communities find the right fit for them.

And yeah, we know. We put ourselves on that list. But we are especially proud of our government accounting, audit, compliance, and advisory services, and how fast our team has grown to match the overwhelmingly positive response from our communities.

If you would like to learn more about CKH Group’s government accounting and contracting services, or have an RFP/RFQ or other upcoming project, contact our team to discuss your organization’s government accounting needs.

About This List

This article was prepared by CKH Group for general informational purposes. Firms were selected based on factors including publicly available, service offerings, geographic presence in Georgia, and the goal of representing firms serving different regions and types of government organizations. This should not be interpreted as a comprehensive assessment or ranking of every CPA firm serving governments in Georgia.

Except where a relationship is expressly disclosed, inclusion of a firm in this article does not imply endorsement, recommendation, partnership, affiliation, sponsorship, or any other relationship between CKH Group and the listed firm. CKH Group does not make representations or warranties regarding the quality, availability, licensing status, performance, or suitability of any third-party firm listed. Readers should independently evaluate and verify any CPA firm before entering into an engagement.

CKH Group is not responsible for the services, representations, actions, omissions, claims, losses, or damages arising from a reader’s engagement or interaction with any independent third-party firm listed in this article.

If you have questions about this list, or would like to nominate a firm for next year’s guide, please reach out.