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 they are granted the credential, in addition to passing the CPA exam.
It should be noted, however, that not all CPAs have experience in tax preparation. CPAs are accountants by definition. Many accountants and auditors specialize in financial accounting and auditing, but have little to no experience with tax accounting and/or tax return preparation. That is not necessarily a problem, but if you are considering hiring a CPA to do your tax return, you should inquire about their tax return preparation experience. Taxpayers who want to confirm that a CPA is still actively licensed must contact their state licensing body, which may make this information available through an online search.
The tax laws are very complex. Our short blog articles cannot cover in full all the nuances of the rules. Your specific facts may hold various opportunities and possible risks that only trained, experienced, and highly qualified tax specialists can spot. We encourage you to find such help, rather than trying to figure it all out on your own. Consider giving this marketplace a try by posting your project and signing up here.
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