Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Public Accountant is an international certificate attained by professionals with an exceptional knowledge of auditing and accounting skills. It is a license that authorizes the holder to practice the profession as a certified public accountant. It is an advanced-level curriculum requiring candidates to demonstrate accounting, finance, auditing, business environment, and regulations.
How to Become a Certified Public Accountant?
To become a CPA, you should start by earning a degree. Then pass the CPA exam to get licensed in your state. After that, you need to complete continuing education to remain licensed.
1- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
The education requirements to become a CPA vary by state. Most accounting majors can satisfy most educational requirements, although states require 150 semester hours of college credit before you’re eligible to take the exam. As an aspiring CPA, you may want to consider an online accounting degree program.
2- Pass the Certified Public Accountant Exam
Each state sets its specific requirements for your eligibility to take the CPA Exam. Many states require you to hold a bachelor’s degree, and most require or will require 150 hours of post-high school education. Some states require CPA candidates to be at least 18 to 21 years old, and a few require that you be a citizen or permanent resident.
The CPA Exam consists of four sections: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Taxation and Regulation (REG), and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC).
3- Gain Experience
The required years of experience to take the Certified Public Accountant Exam vary from state to state, but most call for at least two years working in public accounting.
4- Continue your Education
As a CPA, you will be required to complete continuing professional education (CPE), generally every two years.
What skills the Certified Public Accountant Should Have?
The Certified Public Accountant should stay up-to-date on all tax updates and changes, as well as updates to regulations. In addition to accounting skills, a successful CPA will possess the following related skills:
- Leadership.
- Critical thinking.
- Written communication.
- Technical abilities, such as Excel and business intelligence software.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Public Accountant
CPA certification is the most well-recognized professional accountancy qualification. Here are some of the benefits you can expect by getting your CPA:
- Earn more money.
- Increased job opportunities: Becoming a CPA can allow you to pursue many different career paths within accounting. You can work as a CPA in public accounting firms, private companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
- Credibility: As a trusted business advisor and financial expert, your credibility is essential to you and your client’s success. By becoming a CPA, you are not just showing your clients you know what you are talking about. You are showing them that you have been tested on it. That is important because it helps build trust with clients by giving them confidence in your advice.
Is a CPA the Same as an Accountant?
A CPA is not the same as an accountant. An accountant is a professional who has earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a professional who has earned a CPA license through a combination of education, experience, and examination.
They are different from an unlicensed accountant because:
- CPAs are licensed by a professional governing body.
- CPAs have requirements for continuing education to maintain their license.
- CPAs are held to specific professional standards and a code of ethics.
- CPAs are held to a fiduciary standard, which means they must put their client’s interests first above all else.
And now, we have shown everything you need to know about the Certified Public Accountant. If you need to know more, contact AHG, the best-chartered accountant in Egypt.