WebTrust helps protect the public interest and builds confidence among customers of e-commerce businesses that online businesses are addressing key concerns of their customers. Recent surveys show that independent verification is the most important way of instilling online trust in e-commerce. Concerns about e-commerce include security and privacy of personal information, whether orders will be properly fulfilled and billed, whether products are fresh or resold, and so forth.

CPAs are respected for their integrity, objectivity, and thoroughness. To become a licensed WebTrust provider, the CPA firm must:

1. Be in good standing of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
   
2. Be majority owned by CPAs
   
   
3. Be part of a recognized quality control system
   
   
4. Sign a licensing agreement and remit an annual licensing fee to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. These pooled funds are used to support the WebTrust program.