| Certified public accountant generally known as | | | | statements. They also attest to the sagacity or |
| CPA is a qualified accountant who has successfully | | | | reasonableness of disclosures. Another major role |
| completed a series of examinations. In addition | | | | is to certify the freedom from misstatement. |
| the accountant has additional experience which is | | | | Most of the certified public accountants are |
| the essential requirement for this certification. This | | | | specialists and provide services and expertise in |
| is a specialization and can be accomplished by | | | | particular areas whereas some of the CPAs who |
| meeting certain specific qualifications and | | | | work with small businesses are generalists and |
| on-job-experience or you can qualify for this CPA | | | | provide a range of financial services. |
| certification by continuing professional education | | | | Certified public accountants are well aware of the |
| and obtaining experience in particular areas in | | | | professional standards of Federal and State Laws |
| finance. | | | | which they are expected to abide by to maintain |
| Most of the countries use this qualification as CPA | | | | independence as and when required to audit and |
| whereas in certain areas these professionals are | | | | attestation in reviewing the financial practices of |
| called chartered accountants. There are various | | | | the organizations. It is commonly observed that |
| paths which can lead to this qualification and the | | | | CPAs do not work as auditors if their professional |
| most preferable path usually seen is to start the | | | | role is of a consultant. |
| career as public accountant after obtaining the | | | | The general practice in small to medium |
| basic qualification in commerce and extending this | | | | organizations is to hire a CPA for taxation |
| qualification to certified public accountant by | | | | purposes and at the same time have an audit |
| successfully completing the required examinations | | | | department to ensure that the correct practices |
| and along the way gaining experience working on | | | | are followed and independently assessed. |
| a relevant job. | | | | In the public interest there should be a uniform |
| Most of the public accountants join the prestigious | | | | system which should facilitate the timely services |
| National Society of Public Accountants where they | | | | from the elite certified public accountants |
| are required to meet stringent conditions to obtain | | | | regardless of their location and will also prevent |
| the membership. Different states may have | | | | unnecessary paperwork to be completed. Today, |
| some specific requirement and out-of state | | | | the businesses are located in multiple states and |
| qualified CPA is restricted and is not permitted to | | | | they struggle with compliance responsibilities in |
| use CPA designation until the certification is | | | | various jurisdictions, therefore a uniform system |
| acquired from that state. | | | | will provide flexibility and there will be better |
| There are various services provided by certified | | | | services for customers. The responsibility to |
| public accountants and the primary service is the | | | | follow ethical codes lies with the individuals rather |
| public accounting or these can be also referred to | | | | than the business they work for. From ethical |
| as financial audit services. In general terms these | | | | point of view higher standards are required from |
| services are known as assurance services. | | | | customers when compared with law |
| CPAs attest the adherence to the generally | | | | requirements. |
| accepted principles of accounting in financial | | | | |