When you need help with an audit, doing your taxes, or any general help with your business or finances, it’s best to know what all your options are. There are many people offering business or professional services who are willing to help you, but they may not always be the most qualified for the job. In Canada you would like to look for a person who is a Chartered Accountant or CA. What exactly is a public accountant?
A public accountant is a particular designation given to individuals in the field of accounting that shows that the title holder is qualified to work in public practice to provide tax advice, tax preparation, and conduct audits and offer advisory services. This is equivalent to the Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, in the United States. In Canada, CAs belong to the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, or CICA.
To achieve this status, a person must possess a university degree. They must also have articulated experience and, depending on the province they are in, possibly additional education. All candidates throughout Canada must also pass the three-day Uniform Assessment, or UFE.
There are other types of meters available besides an AC, and there are differences between them. A Certified General Accountant, or CGA, has different standards that they must meet. These standards imply requirements for education, work experience, and examinations.
A CGA, like a CA, must have a college degree. They must also complete courses in a separate academic study and pass different qualifying exams. There is also a requirement of a minimum of twenty-four months of supervised work experience. Work experience can be in a variety of fields in the business sector.
A CGA has accounting experience in various fields. These include business strategy, tax, business and personal finance, management, and auditing. Before being allowed to produce audit opinions, a CGA must have a public accounting license.
Another type of accountant is a certified management accountant, or CMA. This is a professional designation that demonstrates that its professionals can use financial information and other materials to form strategies and make decisions related to government and industry. They have a deep foundation in management, strategy and accounting. This is a much more exclusive group than CA or CGA and the certification tests require candidates to demonstrate proficiency in financial planning, decision support, control and analysis.
In the end, the question of what a CPA is can be answered with a person who is well equipped to help you with your business practices. A CA is also qualified to help you with audits, taxes, and general financial advice. Someone with this certification can be very helpful to you if you are looking to start your own business or simply need help figuring out how to prepare your taxes or how to invest your money. With the many different types of meters available, you’ll want to find the one that best suits your needs.