Where do CPAs Work?

Combining financial acumen and strategic insight, CPAs essentially run today’s business world. Accounting graduates who obtain the CPA certification work in all areas of the business world, including: public accounting firms, corporations and private businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Opportunities can range from working with audit teams at a public accounting firm, performing forensic accounting for the FBI, helping a family plan for a child’s education, becoming a Fortune 500 CFO, or even a CEO at a professional sports team or entertainment industry giant. Because of their strong financial and business foundation, many CPAs also go on to successfully run their own businesses. The future is definitely wide open for CPAs.

• Public Accounting: Best known for providing audits, CPAs who work in public accounting review company financial records for accuracy and accountability.

• Business and Industry: CPAs working inside corporations manage financial records, develop business strategies and secure financing for major projects. Overseeing the finances of the entire company, CPAs are ultimately responsible for overall profitability—making them key players on company management teams.

• Government: Working in all levels of local, state and federal government, CPAs manage governmental finance, examine individual and corporate tax returns, investigate fraud and evaluate the use of tax dollars for government programs. Agencies that commonly hire CPAs include the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and the General Accounting Office.

• Education: On the faculty of high schools, community colleges, universities and graduate schools, accounting educators prepare the next generation of accountants.

Titles and Specialties:

Today’s CPAs hold high-profile job titles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Controller, Managing Partner, VP of Financial Planning, Financial Manager/Analyst, Staff Accountant and more.

Emerging specialties also are winning the attention of today’s accounting graduates. Demand for strong CPAs is high in areas like:

• Assurance Services: A big growth area for CPAs, this function is a cornerstone of the profession. These professionals put business intelligence into a financial context by analyzing a company’s financial performance. They give corporations greater certainty that they are providing accurate data to investors.

• Consulting Services: Consultants provide a variety of specialty services for companies, including performance management, financial planning and strategy and operations planning.

• Environmental Accounting: CPAs in this specialty address how companies can be both environmentally responsible and profitable. They are key players on projects ranging from environmental compliance audits to managing and preventing claims and disputes.

• Forensic Accounting: If you want to track down fraud, white-collar business crime and insider trading, just to name a few, then this area of expertise may be for you. These CPAs look beyond the face value of accounting records for signs of fraud and embezzlement.

• IT Services: CPAs who possess solid IT skills will find enormous opportunity because they can be called upon to design, integrate and implement advanced software systems. CPAs with IT skills also can serve as consultants to e-businesses, acting as a bridge between hardware/software and business goals.

• International Accounting: These CPAs handle cross-border transactions, overseas trade agreements and other items related to international business. They possess comprehensive knowledge of foreign laws, tax structures and business practices, and usually are fluent in two or more languages.

• Tax & Financial Planning: CPAs who help businesses and individuals by recommending savings, investment and tax options. Their primary emphasis is on helping clients eliminate debt, control expenses and minimize tax burdens. They also handle investment asset allocation planning.