A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is someone
who has fulfilled a significant number of requirements and is
licensed. CPA's are well-respected strategic business advisors
and decision makers. Typically they act as consultants on many
issues, including taxes and accounting.
In order for someone to become a CPA there
are several requirements that must be achieved:
- One must meet the requirements of
the jurisdiction or state in which to practice.
- One must also complete
a program of
study in accounting at a college/university
(Typically this means 150
semester hours of college)
- Pass the
Uniform CPA Examination, a four part test developed and graded
by the AICPA.
- Have a
certain amount of professional work experience in public
accounting.
Once someone becomes a
CPA, they are usually required to take Continuing Professional
Education (CPE) annually in order to retain their professional
license to practice. Maryland is one of the states that has
this requirement.