What is the difference between an Accountant and a CPA?

As Certified Public Accountants (CPA) we can act as independent auditors, as well as financial and tax advisors to individuals and businesses. As CPAs we are professionals, distinguished from other accountants by stringent licensing requirements. We have college degrees, have passed a rigorous national examination, and meet certain experience and continuing education requirements in order to qualify for the CPA certificate and state license. In addition, as CPAs we are governed by a strict code of professional conduct.

A few of the ways in which a CPA can serve you and your business include:

• Recommending Income Tax Planning strategies.
• Preparing tax returns.
• Advising individuals on Personal Finance Planning, including retirement and estate planning.
• Reviewing a company's accounting system and recommending improvements.
• Consulting on business problems and advising ways to improve the use of a client's resources.
• Assisting in the design and installation of data processing and management information systems.
• Conducting special studies (financing, inventories, cost accounting, credit, and collection) for your business.
• Helping clients apply for loans and credit by gathering and preparing information required by lenders.
• Working with clients, attorneys, and bankers on mergers, acquisitions, and expansions.

More specifically a CPA can help small business or midsize business owners:

• Set up accounting systems
• Secure financing
• Analyze operating results
• Provide management consulting services
• Develop Budgets, business plans and Cash Flow forecasts
• Audit services including reviewing or compiling financial statements
• Assess benefit and compensation plans
• And much more!