What is a CPA?

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) gives guidance on a wide range of financial matters, including saving for college, personal financial planning, estate planning, and taxation planning.

CPAs are considered to be among the most trusted financial advisors, and adhere to strict professional standards of conduct. In order to keep their CPA designation, they are required to meet continuing education requirements that keep them up-to-date on changing accounting standards.

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What is a Business Consultant?

A business consultant has many different roles including working as a speaker and trainer as well as providing risk analysis and responding to questions and concerns posed by the clients. A business consultant works very closely with the management team, board of directors or business owner to research current information as required and to prepare and present findings in a meaningful way. The business consultant may be brought in to deal with one specific topic or issue or may be hired to help upgrade or update all the policies and procedures within the organization.

A business consultant IMPROVES CLIENT STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING DECISIONS by examining business strategies, business plan development and be a guide on growing your business and how to get your employees to understand your way of doing business.

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What Services CPAs Provide?

CPAs offer a wide range of assistance, including business financial, personal financial, auditing/accounting and tax advisory services. In addition to these advantages, CPAs often serve as consultants on management, human resource and litigation issues. The core services CPAs deliver are compatible with any business or personal need.

Other services are:

BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Aid clients in securing financing.
• Perform financial, inventory management, cost control and credit studies.
• Create accounting systems.
• Develop budgets and forecasts.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES

• Reinforce planning process to manage risk, to create realistic goals, and to increase profits/market share
• Design and implement Management Information Systems to meet a company's needs
• Facilitate management decisions by predicting the effects of proposed plans
• Increase efficiency and improve use of resources by analyzing operations and suggesting changes to business structure

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICES

• Give Personal Financial Planning advice, including help with financing a child's education, buying a new home, estate and retirement planning
• Help clients to secure loans and credit
• Develop plans for savings and investments growth
• Predict future income and expenses

TAX ADVISORY SERVICES

• Plan short-term and long-term goals to lower tax liabilities
• Ensure client compliance with tax laws
• Reduce the effect of estate/inheritance taxes by providing retirement and estate planning advice
• Preparing tax returns
• Assisting with tax problems and representing clients before government agencies

HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTING

• Create job descriptions, personnel policies, systems and manuals
• Suggest compensation policies and practices
• Develop plans for compensation, fringe benefits and retirement

LITIGATION CONSULTING

• Analyze financial data
• Create damage studies and business valuations to assist attorneys
• Testify as expert witnesses in court
• Serve as liaisons to attorneys/bankers during business acquisitions

AUDITING and ACCOUNTING SERVICES

• Prepare, compile, review and audit financial statements
• Analyze financial materials and reporting procedures to reassure stockholders that a company's financial position is reported honestly

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What is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor?

A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor provides fast, effective, and efficient answers to your QuickBooks support problems from installation and setup to QuickBooks training, and daily use. All your QuickBooks needs are met at the click of your mouse. We are accountants and CPA's who have real world experience using QuickBooks products. Not only do you get experienced technical support, you also receive expert accounting advice for those tough to answer accounting issues. Our QuickBooks ProAdvisors have the answers you need.

Our Personalized Service allows for the same QuickBooks ProAdvisor to work with you on a regular basis. You no longer have to explain your situation and your company's needs to a new person each time you call. You have direct access to your ProAdvisor with minimal telephone hold time. Your Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor knows you and your company

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What Qualifications You Should Look for in a CPA?

• Is the CPA licensed to practice in your state?
• Are your needs compatible with the CPA's expertise?
• How active is he or she in professional organizations?
• Professional membership is important. CPAs who are members of the American Institute of CPAs and/or the Arizona Society of CPAs are regulated by a strict code of professional ethics. Once every three years, their accounting and auditing practices are rigorously reviewed by their peers.

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What CPAs Charge?

CPAs normally base their fees on the time required to perform the services you request. Fees depend on the type of services you require, the prevailing costs in the community, the CPA's level of expertise and the complexity of your work.

Talk frankly with your CPA about fees. Compare the cost of having work performed by a staff accountant under CPA supervision, a higher-level employee such as a supervisor and the CPA to determine who can best meet your budget needs.

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Get the Most Value out of a CPA's Service.

• To get the most value from a CPA's services:
• Discuss your goals with your CPA.
• Consult with your CPA when considering business or personal financial decisions.
• Don't pay unnecessary fees. Keep good records and prepare routine work ahead of time.
• Keep your CPA informed of changes in your personal and professional life. A recent marriage or divorce, the birth of a child, a career change or an especially generous bonus can all have a significant impact on your tax liability and personal financial goals.