| CPAs are required to have a broad | | | | in all levels of an organization. |
| understanding of a wide variety of concepts | | | | |
| in the field of accounting. However, having | | | | Business Law allows the CPA to be familiar |
| extensive expertise only in accounting is | | | | with matters like constitutionality and |
| just not enough. CPAs are required to be more | | | | jurisdiction, law of contracts, agency, |
| than accountants. | | | | federal and state laws, statutory laws and |
| | | | administrative regulation. |
| CPAs must be professionals who are broadly | | | | |
| educated and who have the necessary technical | | | | Communication is of critical importance. It |
| competence and the analytical abilities, | | | | teaches the CPA to take a bunch of numbers |
| interpersonal and communication skills, and | | | | and statistics and convey them in a clear, |
| the cultural awareness that are necessary to | | | | concise way that makes sense to the layman. |
| serve the public. The reason a CPA is | | | | Since the primary resource of the CPA is the |
| required to endow himself with so many skills | | | | public, interpersonal skills are mandatory. |
| lies in the complex and constantly changing | | | | |
| environments around them. | | | | Finance is essential. Understanding of the |
| | | | concepts and tools used in financial |
| There are a variety of courses that CPAs must | | | | analysis, knowledge of financial instruments, |
| focus on to gain the necessary expertise. | | | | familiarity with the structure and |
| | | | terminology of domestic and international |
| Accounting is obviously a must. In order to | | | | stock markets all go a long way in helping |
| build a strong accounting foundation, the CPA | | | | the CPA become an expert in his profession. |
| must master the basics of accounting, which | | | | |
| include financial accounting, managerial | | | | Economics, especially a deep understanding of |
| accounting, taxation and auditing. | | | | micro and macroeconomics, can help the CPA |
| | | | understand how the economy operates. |
| Behavioral Sciences are important because | | | | |
| they give the CPA an in-depth understanding | | | | Apart from the above courses, other important |
| of the management practices followed in | | | | ones are Information Systems, Ethics, |
| various business organizations. They teach | | | | Globalization, Marketing, Legal and Social |
| the CPA the human factors that are involved | | | | Environment and Quantitative Applications. |