Career

What Does a CPA Actually Do?

August 2024 • 2 min read

What does a CPA even do? I started my career as a CPA and every time I told someone I was a CPA, the response was always the same: "Oh nice, can you help me with my taxes?"

Truth is I don't even do my own taxes.

CPA = Certified Public Accountant. It's a license, not a job title. And not every CPA does the same thing.

Being a CPA is like having a driver's license. It says you're qualified to drive, but it doesn't say what kind of vehicle you drive. Some people drive sedans, others drive buses, trucks, etc.

Here's what CPAs actually do:

•Some CPAs do taxes. They help people and businesses file returns and lower their tax bills legally.
•Some review financial reports. This is called "audit" — double-checking that a company's numbers and reports are accurate.
•Some help businesses make decisions. They advise on budgets, strategy, and transactions, as external consultants.
•Some manage day-to-day accounting. They track revenue and expenses, and create financial reports.

And some specialize even further in things like fraud investigations, valuations, or building financial information systems.

So when someone says "I'm a CPA," it could mean a lot of things. I still hold a CPA license. But no, I can't do your taxes.

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