Expanding between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic? You’ll see the acronym CPA in both markets, but it refers to different frameworks. In the U.S., a CPA is a state-licensed Certified Public Accountant. In the Dominican Republic, CPA refers to a Contador Público Autorizado (licensed public accountant). At Henriquez Accounting & Tax Services, we coordinate cross-border bookkeeping, quarterly tax planning, and filings so your U.S. and D.R. obligations stay accurate and aligned. Explore Bookkeeping, Tax Preparation, and Outsourced Controller/CFO.

Licensing Reporting Standards Tax Compliance

US CPAs operate under state boards & US GAAP; Dominican CPAs work under national licensing with NIIF/IFRS and DGII rules.

Quick Definitions

CPA (USA): State-licensed via a Board of Accountancy; Uniform CPA Exam; continuing professional education. Scope includes financial reporting, tax, audit/assurance (where licensed), and advisory.
CPA (República Dominicana): Contador Público Autorizado, nationally licensed. Full attest rights—audit, review, and compilation—are authorized nationwide (regardless of city), in addition to tax and financial reporting under local regulations.

Side-by-Side: USA vs. Dominican Republic

USA

Standards: US GAAP for financials; some industries require audits by a state-licensed CPA.
Tax authorities: IRS + state/local agencies; federal and state income/sales/payroll taxes.
Common entities: LLC, C-Corp (1120), S-Corp (1120S), Partnership (1065), Schedule C/E for individuals.
Attest rights: audit/review/compilation per state licensure and firm registration.

Dominican Republic

Standards: NIIF/IFRS (and NIIF para PYMES) for financial reporting.
Tax authority: DGII; value-added tax known as ITBIS; invoicing with NCF/e-CF rules.
Common entities: SRL, SA, EIRL and others under local corporate law.
Attest rights: Audit, Review, Compilation—authorized for CPAs throughout the DR, independent of municipality or city.
Labor & payroll: social security contributions via TSS; statutory benefits and filings apply.

U.S. Reporting If You Own a DR Corporation

If you are a U.S. citizen (or resident) with a corporation in the Dominican Republic, you may have U.S. information-reporting obligations:

FBAR (FinCEN Form 114): foreign financial accounts if the aggregate value exceeded $10,000 at any time in the year.
Form 8938 (FATCA): specified foreign financial assets if thresholds are met (vary by filing status and residency).
Form 5471: U.S. persons with interests in certain foreign corporations (control/ownership or category triggers).

Thresholds, categories, and exceptions apply—facts matter. We evaluate ownership, control, and account activity to confirm exact filings and deadlines.

Cross-Border Considerations

Books & standards: map US GAAP to NIIF/IFRS adjustments (revenue, leases, impairment, FX, etc.).
Tax coordination: align timing and documentation for US/DR filings; manage NCF/e-CF and ITBIS.
Transfer pricing: maintain intercompany support; ensure pricing and documentation are defensible.
FX & cash: USD vs. DOP accounting, translation, and treasury controls.

International Tax Expertise: Henriquez Accounting specializes in U.S.–Dominican cross-border taxation—treaty positions, foreign earned income exclusion (FEIE), foreign tax credits, and home sale exclusion (IRC §121) where applicable.

Our Cadence (Month–Quarter–Year)

Monthly

Reconcile bank/credit/merchant accounts; clear Undeposited Funds and Merchant Clearing.
Deliver P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow; track ITBIS/NCF where applicable.
US/DR invoice policy: support for NCF/e-CF and US documentation standards.

Quarterly

US/DR tax projections; safe-harbor estimates; indirect tax (ITBIS/VAT) reviews.
KPI dashboard: margins, DSCR/runway, DSO/DPO/DIO; pricing/budget updates.

Annually

US returns (1120S/1065/1120; 1040 Schedules C/E) and tie-outs; DR NIIF/IFRS year-end with DGII compliance.
1099 workflow (US) and informative returns (DR) as applicable.

Common (Costly) Issues We Prevent

Posting Dominican platform deposits net (burying fees/taxes) → distorted margins; we post gross with clearing accounts.
Missing NCF/e-CF controls → DGII exceptions and penalties.
Mismatched US GAAP vs. NIIF policies → lender confusion and rework.
Weak intercompany documentation → transfer-pricing and withholding exposure.

Operating in the U.S. and Dominican Republic?

We coordinate bookkeeping, standards, and tax workflows across both jurisdictions—so audits, lenders, the IRS, and the DGII all see the same story. Talk to an Enrolled Agent today. Book a 30-Minute Consultation

FAQs

Can a US CPA sign financials for a Dominican company?

Dominican assurance engagements generally require a locally licensed Contador Público Autorizado. A US CPA can advise on US implications and consolidation.

Do Dominican CPAs have attest rights across the country?

Yes. Dominican CPAs have nationwide authority to perform audit, review, and compilation engagements, regardless of city.

I’m a U.S. citizen with a DR corporation—what must I file?

Depending on thresholds/ownership: FBAR (FinCEN 114), Form 8938 (FATCA), and Form 5471 for certain foreign corporations. We confirm categories and deadlines.

Do US and Dominican accountants use the same standards?

No. US uses US GAAP; the Dominican Republic applies NIIF/IFRS (including NIIF para PYMES). We bridge differences for lenders and tax.

Can you help with treaties, FEIE, and the home sale exclusion?

Yes—international planning across treaty positions, foreign earned income exclusion, foreign tax credits, and the §121 home sale exclusion when applicable.

CPA USA vs. CPA Dominican Republic: What’s the Difference?