A certified public accountant
is a tax and accounting professional who has completed several years of
schooling, focusing on accounting and bookkeeping. A CPA is duly qualified to
practice certified public accounting in any state, territory, or possession of
the USA. A CPA also has the right and privilege to represent taxpayers to the
IRS in the case of a tax
audit. This gives a CPA the capability to represent a taxpayer to IRS
appeals officers, revenue officers, or counsel.
A CPA may work as a tax
preparer.