What is a CPA?

According to a dictionary definition:
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a public accountant who has been certified by a state examining board as having met the state's legal requirements.

What does a Certified Public Accountant Do?

CPAs hold many different jobs, including these positions in public accounting:

Staff Auditor

- Performs the detail work of a financial audit under the supervision of a Senior.

Staff Auditors will often start to direct small audits after two years.

Tax Staff

- Prepares tax returns, researches tax questions, and counsels clients on tax problems under the supervision of a Tax Senior and/or Tax Manager.

Management Services Consulting Staff

- Provides a variety of consulting and management advisory services and reviews the integrity of client systems under the supervision of a Senior or Manager.

Senior Auditor

- Works under the general direction of an Audit Manager. Responsibilities include the direction of audit field work, assignment of detail work to Staff, and review of their working papers. Also prepares financial statements, develops corporate tax returns, and suggests improvements to internal controls.

Tax Senior

- Works under the general direction of a Tax Manager and/or Tax Partner. Prepares or reviews tax returns for individuals and organizations, researches tax questions, offers suggestions for tax planning and studies law for potential tax savings.

Management Services/Consulting Senior

- Works under the general direction of a Manager and/or Partner. Performs and/or supervises detailed consulting assignments involving various functional areas (computing, personnel, marketing) within client organizations.

Audit Manager

- Supervises Seniors and Staff. Responsible for audit program approval, personnel scheduling, audit working papers review, financial statement disclosure footnotes approval, day-to-day client relationships, determination of billings for engagements, and training and evaluation of Staff and Seniors. Achievement of this level is critical to long-term success within a CPA firm, since it is awarded only to those with Partner potential.

Tax Manager

- Directs and reviews Staff and Senior Tax Staff, approves corporate tax returns prepare by Audit Staff, and is available to Audit Staff for consultation. Also performs tax planning and preparation for individuals, estates, trusts, and small businesses and researches unusual tax matters. Achievement of this level is critical to long-term success within a CPA firm, since it is awarded only to those with Partner potential.

Management Services/Consulting Manager

- Maintains direct contact with corporate personnel. Responsible for internal control procedures, operational control procedures, operational budgets, business financing, analyses of projects or departments, and a variety of special purpose studies. Achievement of this level is critical to long-term success within a CPA firm, since it is awarded only to those with Partner potential.

Partner

- Only about two percent of all those entering CPA firms will reach this coveted plateau. The financial rewards are significant. The Partner normally purchases equity in the firm, and therefore shares in all profits. Typically, a professional must be a CPA to become a Partner. In larger firms, equivalent position of Principal is available to deserving specialists who are non-CPAs. An Audit, Tax or Consulting Partner is typically responsible for overall client-related activities.

Senior Partner

- Performs all the duties of a Partner. The achievement of Senior Partner is obtained as a result of longevity with a firm and expert handling of instrumental accounts. The title of Senior Partner may also be attained through participation as a member of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for developing the firm's policies, planning activities, or providing day-to-day management and administration of one or more branch offices or regions.

CPA Firms

It is no secret that managing today’s CPA firm is complex and demanding. Changes in the economy, the laws, the markets and our profession affect us all.

Does your practice need to achieve greater efficiency?

Would you like to expand into new service areas? Does your technical expertise need outside support?

Can you use help to obtain greater market share? Would you like to upgrade your office technology? Are you having difficulty servicing your clients beyond your market area? CPA Associates International has been helping member firms with important issues like these for over forty years.Founded in 1957, our well established global group of high-quality, independent CPA and chartered accounting firms is market exclusive with members in major cities throughout the world.

Our organized network provides members with the capabilities of the largest accounting firm, yet allows them to maintain their local practice and avoid costly overhead and unnecessary controls.Our mission is to maintain a body of outstanding firms committed to exchanging ideas, information and expertise with the goal of improving the quality and profitability of their individual practices while enhancing client service.

Our key objectives are to:Assist members in expanding their professional expertiseEnhance members' ability to manage in a changing environmentHelp members boost their profitabilityEnhance members' ability to market their servicesAssist members in meeting regulatory and legal requirementsFacilitate communication and exchange of resources among membersProvide referral opportunities for membersThe business of the Association is managed by a Board of Directors.

In addition, our four active regions, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America and North America, have Regional Boards that organize activities for the benefit of their members. The activities and day-to-day operations of the Association are administered by a full time staff based in New Jersey, just outside of New York City.

Our major activities for servicing all of our members worldwide are:Regional Networks -- members in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America and North America have organized regional networks to assist fellow members that include membership meetings, firm practice surveys, sharing of information and resources, referral and joint engagement work and other services.Membership Directory -- lists addresses, telephone numbers, E-mail and fax numbers, and partners and shareholders of all member firms who are ready to assist fellow members.Association Web Site -- designed to promote our international organization and member firms.Internet Network -- the Association has its own Internet network that offers our members a number of important benefits including instantaneous transmission of messages and documents to fellow members and access to a variety of resources.Member Newsletter -- published during the year to keep all partners and shareholders up-to-date on Association activities.Educational Programs -- a number of programs are held each year covering major areas and niche specialties of accounting firm practice.International Business Consultant -- is available to help our members assist clients in identifying international markets for their products and services.International Staff Exchange -- professionals from our member firms obtain practice experience in other countries and, at the same time, help fellow members during peak seasons.Practice Management Information -- issued quarterly and covers all aspects of managing an accounting practice.

Practice Coverage -- experienced and skilled practitioners around the world are available to assist members and their clients.