Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) possess the exclusive legal authority to sign audit reports, perform external audits, and sign off on financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They can also represent clients in high-level disputes, such as IRS audits and collections, which non-CPAs cannot.
Only a CPA can issue a report on financial audits. CPAs have a deep understanding of general accounting principles. Businesses rely on this essential service to ensure accuracy, integrity, and transparency in their financial disclosures.
Accountants are legally allowed to prepare tax returns, although they may not have as much knowledge of tax codes as a CPA does. Another important distinction is that CPAs can represent clients in front of the IRS in the event of a tax audit, and they can sign tax returns, whereas non-CPA accountants cannot.
Scope of Work: CPAs are authorized to perform audits, represent clients before the IRS, and engage in financial planning and consulting. Accountants handle financial transactions, data management, and prepare tax returns but cannot conduct audits or represent clients before the IRS without the CPA designation.
Certified Public Accountants have unlimited practice rights before the IRS, which means they can handle any type of tax matter or represent any type of taxpayer without restrictions. They can also represent tax clients before any IRS office in the event of an IRS letter or IRS examination.
Con: Accounting Can Be Stressful at Times
Accountants are under high “stress during busy seasons, especially during tax season, when the hours can be very long,” says Dr. Machuca. Despite the benefits, an accounting career often brings tight deadlines, long hours, and high volumes of work during the annual tax season.
CPA vs Accountant Salary
CPAs with less than one year of experience earn $70,000 annually, while those with more than 20 years of experience earn $150,000. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPAs earn 10% to 25% more than non-certified accountants.
No, an accounting degree is not useless without a CPA; it opens many doors in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors (like financial analysis, management accounting, and internal audit), but a CPA is often essential for public accounting (especially auditing), high-level management roles (like CFO/Controller), and roles requiring public attestations, with the CPA providing a significant career boost, higher earning potential, and faster advancement, according to Bellevue University, Franklin University, Post University, and SuperfastCPA.
While salaries vary by location, industry, and experience, CPAs typically earn more than accountants who do not hold the credential.
Automation and artificial intelligence have led to fears that traditional accounting roles may become obsolete. Accounting Today reported that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% decline in bookkeeping, accounting and auditing jobs by 2023 due to technological advancements.
And if you've started poking around at job postings, college programs, or professional goals, you might be wondering: Do I need to be a CPA to be an accountant? The short answer? No, you don't! While becoming a CPA is one path in the accounting world, it's not the only one.
The most common legal complaints against CPAs involve negligence and malpractice, primarily stemming from incorrect tax preparation/advice, causing clients penalties, audits, or financial losses, and failing to meet professional standards (GAAP/GAAS) in areas like auditing, financial reporting, or handling funds, often resulting in failure to detect fraud, missed deadlines, or misstated financials.
How hard is the CPA Exam? From Q1 2024 - Q3 2025, the overall pass rate was just over 50%, which shows that the exam is difficult, but certainly not impossible.
Will AI replace accountants? Not entirely—but it will change accounting. Firms that embrace AI and technology will attract forward-thinking clients and top talent. Accountants who pair their expertise with AI tools will stay ahead of the curve.
If you are just going by comparing the exams, the CPA exam was more difficult than the bar exam. When comparing the undergraduate accounting courses/upper level accounting courses versus law school courses, the law school was more challenging and stressful.
Becoming certified is a lot like getting a law license. It's proof that you've mastered the vital elements of your profession through years of academic and technical training. As a CPA, you'll also have access to jobs with higher authority and responsibility — and you'll enjoy greater career stability.