A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed accounting professional who has passed the CPA exam and met the required education and experience criteria set by a state board of accountancy. CPAs provide a wide range of accounting services, including financial planning, tax preparation, auditing, and consulting, with a strong emphasis on ethical practices and regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities of a CPA include:

– Preparing and filing tax returns for individuals, businesses, and organizations, ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations.
– Auditing financial statements to ensure accuracy and transparency, and to assess the financial health of a company.
– Providing financial advice on budgeting, investments, and retirement planning.
– Advising businesses on tax strategy and cost-saving measures to optimize their financial position.
– Ensuring compliance with accounting standards (GAAP or IFRS) and government regulations.

CPAs are trusted financial professionals who help businesses and individuals manage their finances, minimize tax liabilities, and ensure compliance with accounting and financial reporting standards.