CommonCentsMom.com is advertiser-supported: we may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren't influenced by compensation. The contents of the CommonCentsMom.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your Financial Advisor, CPA and Lawyer with any questions you may have regarding your situation. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!
Yes, CPA still can give you some best financial suggestions. The thought of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) providing financial advice may be a bit unusual. However, in recent years, the CPA industry has expanded to include more and more financial services.
Many CPAs have left their audit roles to provide advice to their clients. Many CPAs have successfully become Certified Financial Planners (CFP).
What is a CPA?
A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant who provides accounting services for clients who are in business or for individuals who are considering starting or expanding their business. In other words, a CPA is someone who has been approved by the state to practice as an accountant.
CPAs must pass state exams that test knowledge of accounting principles and concepts, as well as knowledge of federal tax laws. As part of their exam process, CPAs must also pass additional tests that focus on specific areas of accounting such as income tax preparation, small business, and auditing.
What is a CFP?
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a financial advisor who has passed a series of tests and examinations in order to demonstrate that they have met certain educational and professional standards. CFPs must have at least four years of experience as a certified financial planner before they can be approved by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
Once approved, they must pass additional exams that demonstrate their knowledge of various financial planning areas. CFPs are also required to be members of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. This organization establishes the educational standards for the financial planning profession and sets minimum qualifications for individuals who wish to be considered for certification as a CFP.
A CFP can work with individuals or businesses in need of advice on investment planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, budgeting, and other related areas. They can also help clients set up investment portfolios that are appropriate for their goals and risk tolerance levels.
CPAs are Giving Financial Advices
While CPAs have some similarities with financial advisors in that both professions provide financial advice to clients in need of such services, there are also some key differences between the two professions.
In the case of CPAs, a client must be either a business owner or an individual who is thinking about starting or expanding their business. As part of their exam process, CPAs must pass additional tests that focus on specific areas of accounting such as income tax preparation, small business, and auditing. In other words, CPAs provide advice to clients in need of help with accounting services and they must also pass exams that demonstrate their knowledge of accounting principles and concepts.
CFPs are different in that they work with individuals and businesses in need of financial planning services for their retirement planning, insurance planning, investment planning, budgeting, etc. In other words, CFPs provide financial advice to clients who want to plan for retirement and investment strategies that will help them achieve financial goals and objectives.
