certified public accountant (CPA)

certified public accountant (CPA) definition - business

certified public accountant (CPA)

An accountant who has met certain state requirements as to age, education, experience, residence, and accounting knowledge, the latter measured by the successful completion of an extensive series of examinations. In most instances, only CPAs are permitted to render opinions on the fairness of financial statements. See also certified financial statement.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Business Terms Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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