A CPA is More Than an Accountant

It is true that many business owners do not reallythe company. The important factor is the analysis that
know what a CPA can do for them.a CPA can provide. These analytical skills are
A CPA is a professional like a doctor or a lawyer. Hisparticularly relevant for young companies which are
her training is rigorous and diversified, covering topicsmore likely to encounter growth, even survival
beyond the basics of accounting and record keeping.difficulties, in their early years. Then the CPA can be
He/she can provide advice and services in problemseen as a safety agent that new companies need on
resolution for taxes, investments, financial outlook, evenan administrative, accounting, fiscal, legal and social
legal concern pertaining to record and taxlevel. A CPA can see and prevent the financial pitfalls
maintenance. It is in this capacity that many CPAsthat a budding CEO might overlook.
have the confidence of CEOs over many otherDo all companies need the services of a CPA?
experts.No, not all businesses need the services of a CPA,
What can a CPA do for you?large enterprises of course use CPAs or sometimes
He/she can intervene in all the situations citedlarge CPA firms with experts in many areas, but it is
previously. First it is the duty of the CPA to handle allnot mandatory for a small or starting out company to
aspects of bookkeeping and record keeping for theuse the services of a Certified Public Accountant. But
company. This is the classic mission or at least the oneit should be pointed out that more than 80% of new
most people associate with the profession. By leavingbusinesses who use the services of a CPA, have a
these record keeping, report writing, and tax duties tobetter chance to make it in their first 5 years, a rate
an accountant or CPA, the entrepreneur is free tothat is greatly diminished for companies that do not
consecrate his/her precious time to catering to theuse such a service. It should be pointed out that young
business of building client relationships, or to productionentrepreneurs can make decisions that can be costly
of goods.for the company and that the advice of a seasoned,
If the company employs an in house bookkeeper, awell trained certified public accountant can prevent
CPA can review, and certify that the books arefinancial disaster.
accurate and can offer strategies for the growth of