What is a CPA?
A CPA is more than a CPA, right?
By Linda Jenkins O’Rourke
Linda Jenkins O’Rourke, CPA, PA
A CPA is much more than its definition of a Certified Public Accountant. The term certified refers to the licensing to carry on business as a CPA and meeting the standards as promulgated by the American Institute of CPAs and the various state societies.
To be initially licensed, an individual must pass a rigorous examination, which is uniform among the states, and then obtain a certain amount of experience working for a firm which performs examinations of financial statements and renders a report upon them. The term public accountant refers to the role as an accountant, who handles recordkeeping and reporting matters for the public. However, the term CPA, in sum, means to most people much more than these parts of certified and public accountant. A CPA is a very trusted advisor of both individuals and of businesses.
CPAs are relied upon so much because of not only their keen analytical and decision-making skills but also their objectivity, integrity and dedication to service. Many CPAs provide services well beyond accounting, auditing and reporting. Some are business and management consulting, information
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What is a CPA? |
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Why a CPA? |
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CPA vs Accountant |
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Why a CPA?
Why is it a good idea to get the help of a CPA, a Certified Public Accountant? The answer depends largely on with whom the CPA is being compared?
By Linda Jenkins O’Rourke
Linda Jenkins O’Rourke, CPA, PA
A CPA compared to an Accountant.
CPAs, in general, are better qualified than accountants who are not CPAs. They are better qualified because of the requirements for the CPA examination, experience, and continuing education. As importantly, CPAs shine because they are involved with clients as a CPA providing services which a CPA only can provide such as auditing and reporting and certain other special services. If you need an accountant, why not the best - a certified one. (See CPA vs Accountant)
A CPA compared to a professional advisor.
CPAs, in general, are bred to be independent and objective, and have intense training and experience with certain decision-making skills including careful research and analysis. Furthermore, their service to clients often involve acquiring knowledge and ex, a CPA can provide a client with a perspective that is more balanced and measured, and seeing many angles can lead to creative breakthroughs.
A CPA compared to doing it yourself.
In many matters, you simply cannot do it yourself. It would take too long to acquire the necessary level of knowledge and skills. But in many matters, you might be able to do it alone - whether it is accounting and recordkeeping, or preparing income tax returns, or developing internal controls and procedures, or establishing a valuation, or starting or restructuring a business, or setting out personal financial plans or making
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