CPAs
are
business
and
financial
strategists
who
help
chart
the
paths
of
businesses
and
individuals
.
Businesses
are
tapping
CPAs
to
not
only
manage
finances
and
taxes,
but
also
to
determine
profitable
new
product
lines,
help
diversify
investments,
and
provide
a
variety
of
other
consulting
and
business
services
.
Individuals
turn
to
their
CPAs
for
tax
and
financial
planning
services,
investment
advice,
estate
planning,
and
more
.
As
technological
advances,
globalization,
new
laws
and
regulations,
and
marketplace
competition
continue
to
complicate
financial
and
business
decisions,
CPAs
are
called
upon
to
analyze
information,
determine
effective
financial
and
business
strategies,
and
help
individuals
and
businesses
achieve
profitability
.
CPA
vs
.
Non
-
CPA
Many
people
do
not
know
how
a
CPA
is
different
from
a
bookkeeper
or
tax
preparer
.
The
CPA
designation
is
one
of
the
most
widely
recognized
and
highly
trusted
professional
designations
in
the
business
world
.
CPAs
are
distinguished
from
other
finance
professionals
by
stringent
qualification
and
licensing
requirements
.
Individuals
have
worked
hard
to
obtain
the
CPA
designation,
and
they
are
committed
to
working
even
harder
to
deliver
the
value
that
it
conveys
.
What
qualifications
should
you
look
for
when
choosing
a
CPA?
Before
you
select
a
CPA,
make
sure
you
consider
the
following
questions:
Does
the
individual
hold
an
active
CPA
license?
Are
your
needs
compatible
with
the
CPA’s
personality
and
communication
style?
Does
the
CPA
have
the
experience
you
need?
Does
the
CPA
maintain
affiliation
with
other
professional
organizations
to
stay
abreast
of
standards
and
regulations?
It’s
important
to
establish
a
practitioner’s
credentials
before
you
retain
his
or
her
services
.
You
need
to
feel
that
this
person
has
integrity
and
honesty
before
you
will
trust
him
or
her
with
your
financial
information
.
Be
aware
that
fee
structures
vary
and
practitioners
have
different
levels
of
training,
knowledge
and
experience
.
Keep
in
mind
that
you
are
looking
to
establish
a
long
-
term
relationship
.
You
want
someone
who
will
learn
your
business
inside
and
out,
and
who
will
become
a
trusted
advisor
on
major
business
and
financial
decisions
and
transactions
.
Look
not
only
for
technical
competence
but
also
for
interpersonal
and
communication
skills
.
Defining
your
objectives
and
expectations
will
help
you
ask
the
kind
of
specific
questions
necessary
for
finding
the
CPA
best
suited
to
your
needs
.
Think
about
the
services
you
will
need
not
just
today
but
further
down
the
road
.
How
can
you
get
the
most
value
from
a
CPA’s
services?
When
it
comes
to
working
with
a
CPA,
you
are
in
control
.
There
are
a
variety
of
things
you
can
do
to
get
the
most
value
out
of
your
time
and
money
spent
with
a
CPA
.
Be
prepared
with
your
goals
and
objectives
of
what
you
want
the
CPA
to
do
for
you
.
Have
a
list
of
questions
and
a
clear
idea
of
what
you
want
to
accomplish
.
Gather
all
the
documents
and
information
you
think
you
may
need
-
past
tax
returns,
financial
statements,
investment
documents,
business
plans
-
and
take
this
information
with
you
