Accountancy: Where to Find Certified Public Accountants

A Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, can help you make sure that your small business accounting or individual taxes are accurate and complete. Some businesses are small enough, such as home based businesses, that a Certified Public Accountant is not needed for most accounting tasks. However, there are times when a business or individual should use a Certified Public Accountant.

CPAs are Certified Public Accountants, certified by the Board of Accountancy. These CPAs can perform a variety of services to small businesses, large corporations, or individuals. They are accountable to government agencies for their ethics and business practices, which ensures that you the consumer are protected from fraudulent activity by CPAs, and giving you security in knowing that your accounting is in good hands.

CPAs can perform general accounting, audits, or tax services. CPAs must have a college education in accounting, and an examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). A CPA can be self-employed individuals acting on their own behalf and that of the CPA's clients, or they can be employed within a public accounting firm in tax or audit services.

If you are starting up a home based or small business, you should seek the guidance of a Certified Public Accountant. The Certified Public Accountant can help you set up a double entry method of accounting with a journal and ledger, as well as a chart of accounts to help you use these tools effectively in your business.

In the case that you are chosen for audit by the IRS, your best bet to come through the audit cleanly is to have a CPA by your side. A CPA is as familiar with tax law as the IRS representative performing the audit. Because of this, the CPA can negotiate a lower penalty, help you avoid penalties, and help you claim the deductions you deserve. You should contact a CPA as soon as you have received an audit notice from the IRS, because the CPA can help you prepare for your audit and gather the necessary information. Then, the CPA can walk into the audit interview by your side, completely in charge and confident of the outcome of your audit.

If you own a small business, a CPA can also help you determine what business taxes are required by your local, state, and federal government. In addition, the CPA can help you set up a double entry accounting system that includes a journal and ledger. The CPA can also help you to set up a standard chart of accounts for use with your ledger. All of these tools will help you stay organized and ready for tax time and any possible audits.

When in doubt, never work with Certified Public Accountants that have had complaints against them. Do not work with Certified Public Accountants that do not have proper licensing to practice in your locality. You should also avoid Certified Public Accountants that will not meet with you in person, sign contracts, or provide proof of education, licensing, and certification.

If you still have trouble finding Certified Public Accountants, select of well known firm of Certified Public Accountants to handle your affairs. While the fees associated with these Certified Public Accountants may be higher than smaller firms, you will have the peace of mind that you are in good hands of ethical, qualified Certified Public Accountants.

Article Source: http://allentrepreneurinfo.com

Information supplied and written by Daniel J Austin is the owner of the web site about Accountancy. Articles,News,Resources and Video about Certified Public Accountants
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