The Value of a CPA

The Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) is committed to ensuring that Georgia CPAs work in the public interest by providing the resources to enhance the skills of CPA tax professionals, and by regulating unacceptable professional conduct while advocating on behalf of the public and members in an effective and efficient system of taxation.

What is a CPA?
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) advise individuals, businesses, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies on a wide range of financial and related matters. In Georgia, CPAs are licensed by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy to practice public accounting.

CPAs are distinguished from other accountants by stringent licensing requirements. They are committed to continuing professional education, and they are certified, licensed, and regulated by state boards of accountancy. To become a CPA, individuals are required to pass a rigorous professional exam after they complete their college education in order to be licensed by the states in which they practice. After they are licensed, mandatory continuing professional education requirements ensure that CPAs are current with regulatory and legal changes, as well as changing accounting standards and tax laws.

As members of the GSCPA, CPAs are required to adhere to strict professional ethics standards, which stress independence, integrity, objectivity and technical competence. Additional ethics rules apply to CPAs who are tax practitioners.

Services CPAs Provide
People turn to CPAs for a wide range of assistance – everything from business advice to help with income tax preparation. CPAs can also help with personal financial planning to build college funds, plan for retirement and create estate plans. If the IRS raises a question about a tax return, only CPAs, attorneys and enrolled agents are authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. CPA tax professionals often know a lot about your personal situation, so the continuity of service you receive from a CPA may be an important factor to consider. CPAs are business people in the community who will be there for taxpayers year after year.

How to Find a CPA
The GSCPA has a referral service that allows you to be matched to a CPA with the expertise you need, right in your geographic region. Please visit www.gscpa.org for more information.

The GSCPA is the premier professional organization for CPAs in the state of Georgia. With over 10,500 members throughout the state, the purpose of the GSCPA is to promote the study of accountancy and applicable laws, provide continuing professional education, maintain high ethical and work standards, and provide information about accounting issues to the membership and the public. For more information, access our web site at www.gscpa.org.