CPAs or certified public accountants provide a wide range of financial and accounting services to businesses and individuals. The major services offered by professional accounting firms include:
- Auditing. CPAs perform audits to provide an independent opinion on a company’s financial statements. Audits ensure accuracy, detect fraud, and maintain integrity.
- Tax Preparation. CPAs help clients file taxes correctly and on time to avoid penalties and legal issues. They prepare income tax returns for individuals and businesses.
- Tax Planning. CPAs develop comprehensive tax plans to maximize tax savings legally and strategically position clients for future success. They stay up-to-date with the latest tax laws and regulations.
- Accounting and Bookkeeping. Services range from basic accounts payable/receivable to complex month-end or year-end close processes. CPAs ensure accounting records are accurate and financial statements are reliable.
- Consulting. CPAs serve as advisors on important business decisions. Services include business valuations, mergers & acquisitions, performance improvement, technology consulting, and more.
- Wealth Management. For high-net-worth individuals, CPAs offer investment consulting, estate and trust administration, retirement planning, risk management, and budgeting services.
- Forensic Accounting. CPAs investigate fraud, identify theft, embezzlement, and other financial misconduct. They analyze accounting records to uncover illegal activity and determine financial impacts.
- Management Advisory Services. CPAs help improve business operations and profitability. Services include process engineering, budgeting, cost analysis, productivity improvement, internal controls, and financial modeling.
Professional accounting firms and CPAs provide essential financial and management services with a focus on compliance, accuracy, accountability, and strategic decision making. Working with CPAs offers key benefits like mitigating risks, increasing profitability, ensuring regulatory compliance, improving efficiency, and gaining expert guidance and advisory support. For businesses and individuals, the services and value provided by CPAs are invaluable.