An accountant who has been given a special designation after passing and meeting prescribed certifying requirements is a certified public accountant. The individual is also permitted to use the designation of certified public accountant abbreviated as CPA. In the United States, an accountant is required to qualify in a uniform CPA exam. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed these exams and is still the single authority in maintaining them.
Auditing, attestation, and opinions on financial statements can only be provided by professional licensed CPAs. In many parts of the United States, professionals without CPA licenses call themselves “public accountants.” CPAs are better known for their tax expertise and for making books of accounts for business enterprises. In addition to this, they are educated enough to perform attestation functions.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, along with AICPA, also administers the CPA examination. The exams are widely conducted in fifty states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The licenses vary by state.
After passing the examination, the professional is also required to complete an accounting program at a university, which takes around 150 hours. An accountant with working experience is always considered to have an edge over the other professionals. Individuals need to dedicate a certain timeframe to education, even after obtaining their licenses.
Businesses interested in hiring certified public accountants would have to touch base with the local Chamber of Commerce for information regarding CPA members. The corporation should do a background check on the CPA, as well as look for recommendations from his peers.
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