What it takes to become a CPA
Dawn powers
Class: Accounting 1800
9/25/2013
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Let’s start by defining accounting; “Accounting is the information system that measures business activity, processes the data into reports, and communicates the results to decision makers, it’s the language of the business.”
Financial reporting has experienced one of the biggest revolutions in history with the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in over 100 countries across the world. With the U.S. as one of the last big exceptions sticking to their own national Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
In public accounting, the CPA serves many clients as an objective outsider or in an advisory capacity. Currently there are over 46,000 public accounting firms in the United States ranging in size from small local accounting practice to large international CPA firm.
Each state in the U.S. has a "state board of accountancy" that is responsible for licensing certified public accountants (CPAs) who practice in that state. Each board issues rules that govern what a person must do in order to become a licensed CPA. While having a 120-credit bachelor 's degree in accounting was, at one time, enough to qualify a person to sit for the CPA Exam, most states now require that candidates complete a 150-credit college degree program. Exact rules vary from state to state.
A minimum of a bachelor 's degree
A specified number of accounting courses
A specified number of business courses.. CPAs are many things. They are chief financial officers for Fortune 500 companies and advisors to small neighborhood businesses. They work for public accounting firms, both small and large. They are well-respected strategic business advisors and decision-makers. They act as consultants on many issues, including taxes and accounting. A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals,
Class: Accounting 1800
9/25/2013
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Let’s start by defining accounting; “Accounting is the information system that measures business activity, processes the data into reports, and communicates the results to decision makers, it’s the language of the business.”
Financial reporting has experienced one of the biggest revolutions in history with the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in over 100 countries across the world. With the U.S. as one of the last big exceptions sticking to their own national Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
In public accounting, the CPA serves many clients as an objective outsider or in an advisory capacity. Currently there are over 46,000 public accounting firms in the United States ranging in size from small local accounting practice to large international CPA firm.
Each state in the U.S. has a "state board of accountancy" that is responsible for licensing certified public accountants (CPAs) who practice in that state. Each board issues rules that govern what a person must do in order to become a licensed CPA. While having a 120-credit bachelor 's degree in accounting was, at one time, enough to qualify a person to sit for the CPA Exam, most states now require that candidates complete a 150-credit college degree program. Exact rules vary from state to state.
A minimum of a bachelor 's degree
A specified number of accounting courses
A specified number of business courses.. CPAs are many things. They are chief financial officers for Fortune 500 companies and advisors to small neighborhood businesses. They work for public accounting firms, both small and large. They are well-respected strategic business advisors and decision-makers. They act as consultants on many issues, including taxes and accounting. A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals,
Cited: AICPA. American Institute of CPA"s. 2006-2013. Commission, The Commitee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway. COSO. 2009. 14 September 2013. Pearson Education. Principlies of Accounting. Prentis Hall, 2012.