Certified public accountant positions involve diverse roles dealing with tasks such as general accounting services and tax returns for SMEs, accounts and reports for both government and NGO agencies, independent attestation services for company accounts, auditing, preparing accounts for private and public companies and dealing with tax officials on behalf of both corporate and private clients. Certified public accountants have the option of self-employment or working for a specialised firm or partnership.
A career as a Cpa will require a degree, hopefully in accounting, and also a recognised certified accountancy qualification. A vital skill essential to success as a Cpa is verbal and written communication at all the varied levels encountered in this accounting specialization. An option in this sector may also be forensic accounting, the investigation of corporate or white-collar crimes involving money-laundering, embezzlement, bankruptcy fraud and other such intricately fascinating crimes. Forensic Cpas can be called as expert witnesses in trials, a service attracting large fees.
Salaries in the sector depend on the type of work and the employment status of the accountant. Rates start at around C
$35,000 to C
$60,000, but can rise swiftly with experience and reputation.