Tip #17: What does a CPA do?

Hi, I was just surfing through the PICPA (Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants) website at http://www.picpa.org/ and came across a good, concise answer to the above question.

What Does a CPA Do?

A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant, but what does that mean? What do they do? Here is a list of some areas in which CPAs work. You'll see there are many ways that CPAs help businesses.

Assurance Services
In addition to traditional audit services, such as examining the annual reports of public companies, exciting niche areas of assurance have increased the demand for the expertise of CPAs.

Consulting Services
Individuals, businesses, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies need CPAs to offer objective advice and assistance in both financial and strategic areas.

Information Technology (IT) Services
Exploding IT growth has created huge opportunities for CPAs with strong computer skills to design and implement advanced systems to fit an organization's needs.

Forensic Accounting
Also known as investigative accounting or fraud auditing, forensic accounting digs below accounting records, searching for evidence of criminal misconduct.

Environmental Accounting
With increasing resources focused on environmental issues, these CPAs conduct compliance audits and design preventive systems to ensure compliance.

International Accounting
In today's global economy, CPAs with an understanding and mastery of international trade laws and regulations are in great demand.

Tax and Financial Planning
CPAs help individuals and companies with financial planning, investments, taxes, mergers and acquisitions, and much more.

Be sure to check out the PICPA website or the website of your home state's professional society of CPAs to learn more about the accounting profession.

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Please feel free to email me at info@professorinabox.com with any questions related to business and accounting and we can discuss it in future editions of Out of the Box - Weekly Tips on Business and Accounting.

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About Professor Licata

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