Everything that accounting firms need to know about a CPA job description is here! If you’re looking for a relevant, up-to-date CPA job description, then look no further. This piece includes CPA qualifications, CPA job duties, CPA job responsibilities, and sample templates for those looking for a high-quality and updated CPA job description.
What are the Qualifications for CPA?
To qualify as a certified practising accountant (CPA), your employees must meet specific requirements based on 3 Es (education, experience, and examinations). Though these qualifications vary by state, regulatory boards like the CPA Australia, ICAS, ACCA, and CIMA require applicants the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting (or a related field) from an accredited institution
- Working experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA
- Passing the CPA Program Exam
What Degree is Required to be a Certified Public Accountant?
While the typical trajectory for aspiring CPAs is a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related fields like finance or business administration, they can still be eligible for taking the CPA Program Exam given that they complete a minimum number of credit hours in accounting and/or other related subjects.
These educational requirements are put in place to ensure that candidates have a strong foundational knowledge of principles and practices within the field of accounting before pursuing licensure as a CPA. When they take up an accounting degree, they equip themselves with valuable skills and knowledge in areas such as financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and ethics to increase their chances of success in their profession.
What Topics are Included in the Certified Practising Accountant Program Exam?
After completing a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited university, aspiring CPAs need to take the CPA Program Exam. On top of this, candidates must also undertake further education through a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Professional Accounting or undertake the CPA Program offered by CPA Australia.
This program includes coursework and examinations designed to test aspiring CPAs on their knowledge and practical skills in various areas of accounting and finance. Upon successful completion of the program and meeting all other eligibility requirements, aspirants can now apply to become a member of CPA Australia and obtain their CPA designation.
Overall, aspiring CPAs demonstrate their expertise, knowledge, and commitment to upholding high ethical standards within the accounting profession by meeting these rigorous qualifications. They’re also expected to continue professional development to stay up to date with current industry standards and practices and maintain their certification.
Read More: What is a CPA? What Does a Certified Public Accountant Do? Your Ultimate Guide to Being a CPA
CPA Duties and Responsibilities: What are the Duties of a CPA?
Although it can vary according to state and company, the following are the most common CPA duties and responsibilities throughout Australia:
- Preparing and certifying financial statements
- Conducting both in-house and external company audits
- Preparing and reviewing business and individual returns
- Filing reports to the ASIC
- Providing sound financial analysis and advice to clients
- Improving budgeting and risk assessment strategies
- Conducting research for realistic financial forecasting
- Staying up to date with industry trends, rules, and regulations
Hard Skills for Aspiring CPAs
Aside from meeting the specific requirements based on the 3 Es (education, experience, and examinations), all accountants – not just CPAs – need to have at least a basic grasp or understanding of the following:
- Auditing
- Financial analysis
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting and financial forecasting
- Tax compliance
- GAAP and IFRS compliance
- Proficiency in accounting software
- Ethics in accounting
Soft Skills for Aspiring CPAs
While having the right set of hard skills is a prerequisite to be a certified practising accountant, it’s the soft skills that give your employees career longevity. Here are some soft skills that any aspiring CPA can use:
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Time management
- Critical thinking
Hard and soft skills go hand in hand — one can’t work without the other. If your employees want to be a certified practising accountant, then they can take steps to develop the areas they’re lacking in and stay determined to pursue further education to keep themselves updated with the ever-changing accounting industry, especially the international standards and regulations.
CPA Job Description Sample Templates
Position Overview:
We are looking for a Certified Practising Accountant. He/she will be responsible for the preparation and certification of financial statements, conducting internal and external audits, updating our financial accounts and records, filing reports to the SEC, and representing our firm before the IRS.
Role Qualifications:
- Graduate of Accounting or any related course
- Passed the CPA exam and obtained CPA certification
- Experience in Accounting (preferably Australian Accounting)
- Similar experience as a Certified Practising Accountant
- Proficiency in accounting software (Quickbooks, Karbon)
- Multi-tasking skills
- Accuracy and attention to details
- Time management and organisational skills
Job Type: Full Time
Benefits:
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Disability insurance
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5PM
Salary: $300 – $500 an hour
Role: Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)
Industry: HRTech
Setup: Onsite
Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000
Relocation: Yes
Type: Full-Time/Exempt/Benefits
Overview of the Role:
As a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), you will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and compliance of our clients’ businesses. You will be responsible for providing expert financial advice, managing financial records, and ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Join our team and be an integral part of our clients’ success while enjoying the opportunities that Utah has to offer.
Requirements:
- Active CPA licence
- 5+ years of tax experience
- Master’s Degree preferred
- Can prepare/review business and individual returns
- Can prepare individual federal and state tax returns
- Proficient with tax and/or accounting software like QuickBooks and Karbon
- Proficient with MS Excel (functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP etc.)
- Committed and responsible; meticulous and attentive to details; excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Can answer questions from the juniors and communicate effectively with clients
Key Responsibilities:
- Preparation, analysis, and certification of financial reports/statements with an in-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Conducting internal and external audits for the assessment of financial controls and the identification of areas for improvement
- Ensuring tax laws compliance through the management of tax planning, preparation, and compliance to state and federal tax laws and regulations
- Staying updated regarding rules and changes in accounting standards and industry trends, ensuring compliance and mitigating financial risks
- Providing insightful financial analysis and advice to clients for more informed budgeting, realistic risk assessment and research-backed forecasting to help clients achieve their mission and vision
- Collaborating with legal, operations, and finance teams to ensure the alignment of financial goals for the entire firm
Think you have what it takes? Submit your resume to [name]@[companyemail].com
Why You Should Hire a Certified Public Accountant
There’s a certain edge that hiring a certified practising accountant gives your firm. Aside from the usual auditing, tax, and bookkeeping tasks, as well as budgeting, forecasting, and financial analyses that generalist accountants do, here are some duties and responsibilities that are exclusively done by a certified practising accountant:
- Filing reports to the ASIC
- Conducting internal and external audits for firms
- Certifying audits and financial statements
How to Hire a CPA: Successfully Onboarding a Certified Practising Accountant
If you want your accounting firm to be a cut above the rest, hiring a certified practising accountant is an excellent way to do so. Here are tried-and-tested ways to onboard the best possible certified practising accountant.
- Source your applicant from verified sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.
- Accept referrals from trusted, reliable, and credible sources
- Contact the official organisation where the applicant obtained their license
- Exclude the candidates with suspicious or unverified credentials
- Test their skills and knowledge in accounting, especially in their areas of expertise
In-house or Outsourced Certified Practising Accountant: Which is the Better Choice?
When deciding between an in-house or outsourced certified practising accountant (CPA), you should consider the specific needs and requirements of your business. An in-house CPA offers the advantage of being readily available for face-to-face communication, which can foster a stronger understanding of the company’s financial situation and goals. In-house CPAs can also have a better grasp of the local regulations and tax laws that apply to your business, ensuring compliance and minimising risks.
On the other hand, hiring an outsourced CPA can provide cost savings due to lower labor costs in certain countries, as well as access to a larger pool of talent with diverse expertise and specialised skills. However, there could also be timezone differences and language barriers that could present challenges when working with an outsourced CPA.
All in all, deciding between in-house and outsourced CPAs should be based on factors such as company budget, your desired level of control and oversight, and the complexity of financial tasks required by your business.
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