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Key takeaways
- CPA licensure is granted by individual U.S. states, not by AICPA.
- CPAs can sign audit reports and represent taxpayers before the IRS.
- Many CPAs specialize — small business, high-net-worth tax planning, audit, forensic accounting.
- Confirm a CPA's license status with the state board of accountancy where they practice.
How Olomon thinks about this
CPAs do their best work when they have clean data to work from. Olomon's permissioned collaboration model gives your CPA scoped access to exactly what they need — entity balance sheets, K-1 storage, basis tracking, and document trails — so the relationship spends time on planning, not data wrangling.
In-depth definition
For households with operating businesses, multiple entities, or significant tax complexity, a CPA is often the most consequential professional relationship in their financial life. The right CPA is more than a tax preparer — they're a year-round advisor on entity choice, compensation, tax timing, and reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Anyone can call themselves an accountant. Only CPAs have passed the Uniform CPA Exam, met experience requirements, and hold a state license that authorizes audit and certain other services.
Sources
Primary, authoritative references.
- 1
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Requirements to become a CPA — AICPACited for: Authoritative source on CPA licensure
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Cite this page
APAOlomon Editorial Team. (2026). CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Olomon Financial Glossary. https://olomon.com/financial-glossary/cpa-certified-public-accountant