CPA Firms: What Are They and What Do They Do?

Tax Investigation CPA firm

If you are currently working in the world of accounting, then you may frequently come across the term CPA firm and find yourself wondering what this actually means and what such a firm does. CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant and being as much gives you a higher standing in many professional’s eyes, whether this is for business contacts, regulators, clients and professional peers. As such, working with such a firm can be a massive benefit.  

Are You Hoping to Work with a CPA Firm? 

If you are hoping to work with a CPA firm and allow your business to grow as a result, it may be worth looking up businesses who are selling them. If you head over to sites such as POE Group Advisors that have accounting practices for sale then you will be able to acquire their assistance and allow your business to grow as a result. 

What Can a CPA Accountant Do That Others Can’t?

There is a wide variety of accounting that is encompassed by the term public accounting. This includes the likes of auditing, tax and also consulting, whether this is for global conglomerates or small businesses, nonprofit business, different government organizations and even to people who are self-employed or own a business where they are the sole employee. Granted, there are a lot of qualified accountants who can carry out this work but there are some different tasks that only those with a CPA license can do. These include:

  • They are able to prepare either audited or reviewed statements as well as file reports with the SEC (this stands for the Securities and Exchange Commission). 
  • They can also represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. 

What Will a CPA Do When Working for an Accounting Firm? 

Taking on new employees can be quite a tricky process as you need to ensure they are right for the job and will be able to add value to your business. So, with this in mind, what is it that a CPA would do if they were to work for your accounting firm? Generally speaking, if you are hoping to get a CPA on board with your business then they will work in one of three areas: 

  • Tax Services: This will typically include the likes of filing tax returns (both federal and state) whilst working with multiple organizations and ensuring that their tax obligations have been minimized as much as possible. 
  • Management Services: These are in place so that they can provide solid assistance when it comes to managing and supervising either an individual’s or an organization’s day-to-day activities. They will also be proficient when it comes to working on long-range planning. This will include the likes of managing cash, budgeting and planning for a business’s financial future. 
  • Audit Services / Assurance Services: These would be independent professional services that are usually in place as a means to improve the overall quality and context of the financial and the nonfinancial information that decision makers usually need to be aware of.