Product Image

The CPA Profession: Opportunities, Responsibilities and Services

Author: Stephen R. Moehrle, PhD., CPA, Gary John Previts, PhD., CPA, Jennifer A. Reynolds-Moehrle, PhD., CPA
Publisher: AICPA
Availability: In Stock
See Below To Add To Cart

Description

Although the accounting profession operates in an environment of change, it is also a profession that offers a wealth of career opportunities and responsibilities, for both veterans and those new to the profession.

The CPA Profession: Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Services outlines the qualities that a CPA must possess, to competently protect the information right of investors. These qualities include:

  • commitment to serve the public interest
  • competence
  • integrity
  • objectivity

In clearly written, non-technical language, The CPA Profession: Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Services, describes how students and young accountants develop into competent and ethical CPAs, where the CPA profession is heading, and more.

Important and useful Appendices are included to make this book a valuable resource and reference book that every practitioner will want.

Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Introduction to the CPA Profession
    • Introduction
    • What Is a Profession?
    • What Is a Professional?
    • What Is a Certified Public Accountant?
    • Defender of the “Information Right”
    • CPA’s Qualities
    • CPA’s Practice
    • CPA’s Regulation
    • Summary
  • Qualities of a CPA: Commitment to Serve, Competence, Integrity, and Objectivity
    • Commitment to Serve
    • Qualities of a CPA: Competence
    • Education
    • Examination
    • Experience
    • The CPA Profession: Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Services
    • Continuing Professional Education
    • Other Requirements
    • Qualities of a CPA: Integrity and Objectivity
    • Rigorous Examiner/Engaging Diplomat: A Delicate Balance
    • The Process of Developing CPA Qualities in Aspirants
    • Summary
  • CPA Careers
    • Introduction
    • CPAs in Public Practice
    • CPAs in Corporate Practice
    • How Does the Corporate CPA Career Evolve?
    • What Resources Are Available to CPAs in Corporate Practice?
    • CPAs in Government Practice and Not-for-Profit Organizations
    • CPAs in Education
    • CPA Training Is Great for Virtually All Endeavors
    • Diversity in the CPA Profession
    • Summary
  • The Scope of CPA Services
    • Introduction
    • Practice Environment
    • Public Practice Scope of Services: Watchdog and Business Adviser
    • Accounting and Auditing Services
    • Taxation: Compliance and Planning
    • Management Advisory Services (Consulting)
    • Accredited CPA Consulting Services
    • Other CPA Consulting Services
    • When Are Nonattest Services Inappropriate?
    • CPAs in Corporate Practice: Cultural and Career Dimensions
    • Financial Measurement and Financial Management
    • CPAs in the Communication Function
    • CPAs as Financial and Operating Analysts
    • Corporate CPAs in Assurance Roles
    • Corporate CPAs in Consulting Roles
    • Summary
  • Accountability: Personal Oversight
    • Introduction
    • The Highest Standard: Highly Competent and Highly Ethical
    • Contents
    • Learning to Practice Competently and Ethically: The Process
    • The Role of the Firm in Shaping the Professional
    • The Individual’s Role in Developing the Qualities of a CPA
    • Ramifications for Failure to Practice up to the Professional Standard
    • The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct: A Major Source of Guidance on Ethical CPA Behavior
    • The AICPA’s Core Concepts Addressing CPA’s Ethical Dilemmas
    • Confidentiality
    • Ethical Decisions—Where Can I Get Help?
    • The Bottom Line: It Is up to You
    • Summary
  • Accountability: Professional (Peer) Oversight
    • Introduction
    • Peer Oversight and Quality Control
    • Self-Regulation of the Accounting Profession by the AICPA
    • AICPA Regulation Activities on Behalf of the Accounting Profession
    • The Peer Review Process: A Closer Look
    • State CPA Societies
    • Setting Accounting Standards: The Role of Public and Private Organizations
    • The Financial Accounting Standards Board
    • The Auditing Standards Board
    • Public or Private Standard Setting?
    • Summary
  • Accountability: Public Oversight
    • Introduction
    • Public Sector Regulation of the CPA Profession
    • Regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission
    • Regulation by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
    • Regulation by State Boards of Accountancy
    • Legal Responsibility of CPAs
    • What Is the CPA’s Legal Responsibility?
    • A CPA’s Contract Responsibilities and Potential Liability
    • A CPA’s Common Law Responsibilities and Potential Liability
    • A CPA’s Statutory Responsibilities and Potential Liability
    • The CPA Profession: Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Services
    • Legal Liability—A Billion Dollar Problem
    • The Causes of the Legal Liability Problem
    • The Litigation Storm
    • Some Recent Relief
    • Insuring a Firm in the Eye of the Litigation Storm
    • Competing Incentives: The Commitment to Serve, the Profit Motive, Professional Integrity, and Litigation Risk
    • Other Legal Matters Facing CPAs
    • Criminal Guilt
    • CPAs’ Responsibility to the Public
    • Limited Liability Partnerships
    • Legislative Intervention and CPA Regulation
    • Summary
  • Developments in the Profession: Enron, WorldCom, Arthur Andersen, and Sarbanes-Oxley
    • The CPA Profession—Post 2000
    • What Led to the String of Corporate Scandals
    • What Happened at Enron and WorldCom?
    • What Was Going On at CPA Firms?
    • What Is Sarbanes-Oxley?
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title I: The PCAOB
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title II: Auditor Independence
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title III: Corporate Responsibility
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title IV: Enhanced Financial Disclosure
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title V: Analyst Conflicts of Interest
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title VI: Commission Resources and Authority
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title VII: Studies and Reports
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title VIII: Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title IX: White-Collar Crime Penalty Enhancements
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title X: Corporate Tax Returns
    • Sarbanes-Oxley Title XI: Corporate Fraud and Accountability
    • Impact of Compliance
    • Summary
  • A View of the Horizon for the CPA Profession
    • Hiring and Employment Trends
    • Significant Advances in Technology
    • Principles Versus Rules-Based Guidance
    • Contents xiii
    • Private Company Financial Reporting A Global Accounting Community International Financial Reporting Standards
    • International Auditing Standards Convergence Summary
  • Appendix A: AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
  • Appendix B: CPA Certificate and Permit to Practice Requirements
  • Appendix C: State Boards of Accountancy
  • Appendix D: State/Jurisdiction CPA Societies
  • Appendix E: A Historical Perspective
  • Appendix F: World Wide Web Sites
  • Appendix G: Chapter Discussion Questions

Excerpts

Subscription Info

Paperback 2006
Product# 090489
Availability:In Stock
Regular:$65.00
AICPA Member:$52.00
Your Price:$65.00
To receive your AICPA member discount, Sign In now, or Register using your AICPA membership number.
Choose the Standing Order Option and get these discounts on your initial purchase:

Publications--10% discount
CPE Self-Study--20% discount

Each new future annual edition will then be automatically shipped to you at a 10% discount.