CPA is an acronym for Certified Public Accountant.
While a CPA is an accountant, not every accountant is a CPA. Likewise, for tax preparers: an IRS registered tax preparer does not have the same requirements or level of education as a CPA.
There are several important, distinct differences between CPAs and other accounting professionals.
CPA Requirements:
- 150 hours of college education, including a bachelor's degree, with a concentration in accounting. Many earn master's degrees in this process.
- Must pass the rigorous Uniform CPA Exam.
- State Board of Accountancy licensure and oversight.
- As many as 120 hours of required continuing professional education over a three-year period.
- Strict code of professional ethics.
- Peer reviewed for higher level work, such as audits. In fact, businesses that hire CPAs for audit work should ask to see the CPA's peer review report.
A CPA's level of expertise - and the accountability for the work he or she does – is held to a much higher standard than those practicing as accountants. That's an important distinction to those who have earned the designation and proudly call themselves CPAs.
CPA Requirements:
CPAs are leaders, strategic thinkers, and problem solvers. Proper accounting is integral to any business or operation's success, so CPAs are needed everywhere. They can work in a variety of areas, including public accounting, business and industry, technology, forensics, government, and education.
CPAs hold job titles: CEO, CFO, partner, owner, controller, treasurer, financial analyst, auditor, etc.
