What Is a CPA Firm? | eHow
CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant and is the designation given to individuals after passing specific state certification requirements.
A CPA firm provides accounting services and by definition must have at least one CPA on staff. The staff can consist of both senior and junior accountants, accounting clerks and technicians, and bookkeepers. The staff is generally designed around the services offered and the clients the firm serves.
California Certification
The requirements for CPA certification in California include:
- Pass the Uniform CPA exam and ethics exam
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 12 months general accounting experience
For a CPA firm in Sonoma County, a majority of the owners must hold a valid and current CPA certification.
Clients
CPA firms provide services to individuals as well as to nonprofit, private and public businesses. The services offered are structured to the specific needs of the client, which vary depending on whether you’re an individual, a small business or partnership, or a corporation.
In looking for a CPA firm in Sonoma County, focus your search on the services offered.
Services
Services vary and are based on the firm’s expertise.
Individual Financial Planning includes investing, retirement and estate planning, saving for college, and managing personal finances. An individual’s needs for these services are much different than those of a business, organization, or other group structure.
Tax Accounting and Preparation is possibly the most common service offered by CPAs. Services include income tax preparation, estate and trust tax preparation, tax planning, and IRS representation for both individuals and businesses.
Business Management and Consulting addresses services beyond tax accounting. A CPA may offer services to handle or supplement functions within the business, including sales tax, payroll, bookkeeping, managing cash flow, budgeting, and financial forecasting.
As a consultant, a CPA reviews policies and procedures, record-keeping, and financial practices, and makes improvement recommendations. They might also provide technology advice/support for accounting systems (e.g. QuickBooks). Other services could include auditing, forensic accounting, and international accounting.
When looking for a quality CPA firm in Sonoma County or to learn about the accounting services offered by Susan C. Adamson, CPA, call her at 707-799-2705.