What is a CPA? Required Skills, Benefits, and Services

Many CPAs work in executive roles, such Accounting For Architects as Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) or financial consultants, guiding companies toward long-term financial success. The versatility of the CPA qualification means that you can choose a path that aligns with your interests and strengths, offering countless opportunities for career growth and specialization. Applying early is crucial since processing times can delay your ability to sit for the exam. All candidates must take and pass Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). A CPA and an MBA can complement each other, with many CPAs pursuing an MBA to broaden their career prospects and move into management or leadership positions.

CPAs in Business

Many firms offer leadership roles, such as opportunities to lead specialized departments or the chance to spearhead innovative initiatives. For example, you might guide a client through a transformative merger–and–acquisition deal, helping them structure the transaction, manage tax implications, and emerge as an industry leader. Such milestones bring not only financial rewards but also a deep sense of accomplishment. Clients depend on their accountants not just for technical expertise but for trust, guidance, and partnership. As a CPA, you often become a client’s most trusted adviser, someone they turn to during moments of uncertainty or opportunity.

Tax Preparation & Services

These requirements vary by state, but most states require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some states may also require additional coursework in business or ethics. CPAs in the public accounting industry work with businesses and individuals to review and prepare financial information that will be released to the public or filed with the government. They are able to provide a wide range of services, typically in three main areas.

How do you become a CPA?

Once candidates have passed the CPA Exam, they must meet their state’s licensing requirements. These requirements typically include a certain amount of work experience in accounting or a related field, as well as passing what does a certified public accountant do an ethics exam. Candidates must also apply for and receive their CPA license from their state’s Board of Accountancy. To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), candidates must meet specific educational requirements.

• If you are an accountant or want to be one, it’s a valuable tool to help you move up the ladder.
• Whether you are helping a not–for–profit maximize its impact, guiding a business through a complex acquisition, or resolving a stressful tax audit, the work you do matters.
• However, a few states offer a CPA certificate, which shows that you’ve passed all four sections of the CPA Exam but haven’t fulfilled the other licensure requirements.
• I was able to put my technical accounting and client service skills to use in working with my own clients.
• Every tax return filed, every audit completed, and every piece of strategic advice given has a ripple effect, influencing lives and creating value.

Is the CPA Exam harder than the CIA Exam?

• I am an extrovert, which many people don’t think of as a typical characteristic of an accountant, but I find it helpful in establishing a bond with my clients.
• Every state includes a passing score on the CPA exam among its CPA certification requirements.
• In addition to completing a program of study in accounting, and acquiring professional work experience in public accounting, a CPA candidate also must sit for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
• The pass rates are low, with three out of the six possible sections having pass rates below 50%.
• As a college student, I learned and liked that accounting is the basis and building block of many financial and business decisions.
• The Uniform CPA Exam can only be taken by accountants who already have professional experience in the field and a bachelor’s degree.

They work with individuals, businesses, and organizations to help them manage their finances, reduce costs, increase revenue, and comply with financial regulations. A CPA’s primary objective is to ensure that financial records are accurate, complete, and compliant with accounting standards and regulations. CPAs have met specific education and experience requirements, as well as passed the Uniform CPA Exam. This sets them apart from ledger account other accounting professionals who may not have met these requirements.