Financial planners are professionals who help individuals and families manage their finances, achieve their financial goals, and plan for their future financial security. They typically provide a range of services, including: Overall, financial planners provide holistic financial advice and guidance
Bookkeepers are professionals who specialize in recording and managing financial transactions for businesses or organizations. They typically work within the finance or accounting departments of companies, or they may provide bookkeeping services as independent contractors or through bookkeeping firms. Bookkeepers
Attest professionals (also known as Auditors) are individuals or firms that specialize in providing assurance services, primarily in auditing and attestation engagements. These professionals are typically certified public accountants (CPAs) (for example, in the USA, and Philippines) or chartered accountants
Payroll specialists are professionals who specialize in managing and administering payroll processes for businesses. They are typically responsible for ensuring that employees are accurately compensated on time, handling payroll taxes, and benefits, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Payroll specialists
Tax attorneys are distinct from other tax professionals due to their legal training and expertise. While tax attorneys and other tax professionals, such as accountants or enrolled agents, are knowledgeable about tax laws and regulations, tax attorneys have a deeper
Unenrolled preparers can opt into the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP). The AFSP provides tax practitioners who meet the standards with limited representation rights. Participants in the AFSP earn a completion certificate that permits them to represent clients in
CPAs are licensed by a state licensing authority (for example, a state board of accountancy), and many states recognize licenses from other jurisdictions. A CPA must normally have a degree in accounting and spend an apprenticeship at a firm before
The US Treasury Department licenses EAs. The exam they take to get the credential is completely tax-related and written by the IRS. Before electing to get the EA credential, an EA would often have one or more years of experience