The CPA or Certified Public Accountant, is a qualified and professional accountant who has been certified by the state in which they do business. In order to become a CPA, one has to complete 150-hours of college education with business, accounting and finance as the main subjects. Then they must pass rigorous examinations for their state certifications.
This examination deals with business laws and regulations; as well as auditing, business management and accounting. After completing this long period of education and training, the candidate is eligible to take the position as a CPA.
Their primary functions is to perform assurance services, or public accounting. To give you a more in depth explanation let me add this. Assurance services, which are also known as, financial audit services.
The financial audit, is the audit of financial statements. The accountant reviews the financial statements of a company, government or any other legal entity. They then publish an independent opinion on whether the financial statements are accurate, complete, and relevant as presented.
Due to the financial knowledge required the financial audits are performed by a firm of accountants. The accounting and auditing firms provide many various functions, and the financial audit is just one of many assurance or attestation function they provide.
CPA’s serve in many capacities through out the business world. From the income tax preparation industry, as tax and audit consultants, and as the certified auditors. They are called on to be a finance manager, or (CFO) Chief Financial Officer and as a CEO based on their range of business knowledge and experience.
The accountants have a very rewarding career ahead of them. Whether it is a Fortune 500 company, a mid to small sized corporation, or the sole proprietor; the need for a CPA is there. Businesses need the accounting firms to keep their finances in check, their cash flow flowing and the tax man happy.
The CPA is a very important person to virtually all businesses; prior to the spending or investing of large sums of capital, accountants have gone over the numbers and have sound budgetary advice on how to proceed. Smart business owners seek good counsel and heed the advice.
Working with large companies has some real advantages, often they have more opportunity for advancement and growth within the corporation. But, don’t forget about the mid to small companies, you know what they say about good things coming in small packages.
Many CPA’s seek to be self-employed, and they create very successful practices and fulfill a huge need in the market place and go on to earn a considerable income and life style.
Are you a certified public accountant, would you like to be? There are online schools that would help you get trained to become one; that will open up employment opportunities in the financial accounting, financial analysis, and financial auditing sectors of the work force.
The internet has become a viable option to get your degree online. There are many accredited and renowned schools, colleges and universities that would provide online courses to achieve your accounting degree, or any other degree program you need to further your carer opportunities.
The job duties vary in the four major fields of accounting and auditing.
Public Accountants, — CPA
Public accountants, perform a wide range of accounting, auditing services. They include tax, and consulting activities, for corporations, governments, nonprofits, and individuals. Some CPA’s concentrate on tax matters for companies, they advise them about the tax advantages and disadvantages of certain business decisions; some specialize on preparing individual income tax returns.
Others work in employee related areas; like compensation and employee health care benefits. Some choose to work as external auditors, they audit financial statements and certify to the investors and authorities that the statements are correct and accurate.
Forensic accounting: are the group of accountants who investigates and interprets white-collar crimes: like; securities fraud and embezzlement, bankruptcies and contract disputes, as well as other complex financial transactions, including money laundering.
Forensic accountants use their knowledge of accounting, finance, law, and investigative techniques when they are called on to work with law enforcement and lawyers during various investigations.
Management Accountants
Management accountants: Or; (cost accountants, managerial accountants, industrial accountants, corporate accountants, or private accountants) are responsible for the following duties within their companies or corporations. They record and analyze financial information, they handle budgeting, performance evaluation, cost management, and asset management.
Generally, management accountants are a part of the executive teams in most companies. They analyze the financial information that the executives need to make sound business decisions.
Management accountants, prepare financial reports for the stockholders, creditors, regulatory agencies, and tax authorities. Within the various departments, management accountants work would include, financial analysis, planning and budgeting, and cost accounting.
Government Accountants
Government accountants, of course work in the public sector, they maintain and examine the records of the various government agencies. They also audit some private businesses and individuals according to government regulations or taxation.
Government accountants, collect revenues and ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with laws and regulations. Many of the Federal Government accountants may work as Internal Revenue Service agents or auditors. They also reside in the financial management, financial institution examination, or budget analysis and administration sections of the different government authorities.
Internal Auditors
Internal auditors, verify the effectiveness of their organization’s internal controls and check for mismanagement, waste, or fraud.
A listing of what duties they preform are not limited to but include the following: They examine and evaluate financial and information systems, they assess management procedures, and monitor internal controls to ensure that records are accurate. They do reviews of company operations, while they evaluate efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with corporate policies and government regulations.
Using computers the internal auditors help evaluate the effectiveness of controls based on real-time data, in lieu of personal observation. Generally they have input into and recommend various control systems for the companies computer systems; thus ensuring the reliability and integrity of data.
Finally, often the internal auditors will have specialty titles, such as information technology auditors, environmental auditors, and compliance auditors; Etc.
This sums up the CPA jobs but below find the various pages we have on the support segments that work with in the CPA and Accountants employment sectors.
As always, my calculator toting friends, please do not take any wooden nickles, 2 + 2 = 4, and our best days are ahead of us.
