Accounting Certifications
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
A Certified Public Accountant is a financial professional who understands the nature and language of business, accounting, and taxes. A CPA provides a variety of financial services for major corporations, businesses, and individuals. These services include auditing financial statements and serving as consultants in the areas of tax, accounting, and financial planning. In addition to major corporations, CPAs work in the fields of public accounting, government and education.
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy: CPA Exam.
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
A Certified Management Accountant analyzes a company’s financial data in order to support strategic decision making. In contrast to public accountants, who focus primarily on the external reporting of historical data, management accountants have business planning and budgeting responsibilities. A CMA often holds mid- to senior-level management positions within the company, such as accounting manager or financial controller.
The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business.
CMA: The Essential Credential.
Certified Financial Manager (CFM)
Certified Financial Managers oversee the monetary affairs and transactions of organizations. These types of accountants are typically employed by large corporations, banks, government agencies, non-profits, and small businesses. Responsibilities of Certified Financial Managers include monitoring cash flow, preparing income statements, balancing budgets and overseeing the general areas of accounting and auditing.
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
A Certified Fraud Examiner compiles and examines evidence which is necessary to conduct fraud investigations and to determine if fraud has been committed. These types of accountants understand business and legal language and adhere to legal search regulations in order to analyze financial information, collect evidence and interview witnesses and suspected employees or others associated with fraud.
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Certified Financial Planners are financial advisors. These advisors provide support to a variety of clients, who include private citizens, businesses and corporations. CFPs work with their clients in order to help their clients develop a personal financial plan, which may involve stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other financial instruments. CFPs have an extensive background in business and finance, and understand the importance of working to develop a plan that balances the desire for financial growth with the client’s risk tolerance.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Certified Internal Auditors are familiar in the areas of accounting procedures, record keeping, management and technology. CIAs check for mismanagement and fraud businesses, nonprofits and governments agencies. These professionals make sure reported numbers are accurate by going through a firm’s financial transactions, internal controls, management procedures and records. Today, the majority of information within a business is put on computer databases and networks. As a result, internal auditors must stay informed on the latest technology and trends. Certified internal auditors perform a variety of duties, such as reviewing a company’s finances, operations, and policies, providing recommendations for the specific ways a company may function more smoothly, and suggesting controls for computer systems in order to ensure that the review of data remains safe and protected.
The Institute of Internal Auditors.
A Career as an Internal Auditor.
Enrolled Agent (EA)
An Enrolled Agent is a professional who represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). EAs may earn this certification by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before.
National Association of Enrolled Agents.
Becoming an Enrolled Agent: FAQs.
IRS: Enrolled Agent Frequently Asked Questions.
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
A Certified Government Financial Manager may work as a financial advisor and manager at the federal, state and local government level. These type of managers have experience in auditing policy and implementation, financial operations and planning, budget formation, and fraud investigation experience and knowledge.
Association of Government Accountants.
The Value of Certified Government Financial Managers.
