A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional accountant who has met the education, experience, and examination requirements set by a state’s board of accountancy in order to earn a license to practice as a CPA.

CPAs are trained to provide a range of accounting services, including financial statement preparation, tax planning, and preparation, auditing, and management consulting.

They are required to adhere to ethical and professional standards and are often called upon to provide expert testimony in legal or regulatory proceedings. The CPA designation is recognized internationally and is considered a mark of professional competence and expertise in the field of accounting.