Certified Public Accountant - CPA
Categories: Education, Regulations, Investing, Managed Funds, Mutual Funds, Company Management
To the extent that accounting certificates can be famous, this one is famous. It's the Tom Cruise of accounting certificates.
To get a CPA, candidates complete an examination, signifying the acquisition of a requisite body of knowledge in accounting. Passing the test also tells the entire world that they probably went at least twelve months with absolutely no friends, social life or hobbies while studying for the exam.
The test itself is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) which is a trade association of like-minded “nerds.” The term CPA is most often used in English speaking countries, perhaps because the acronym does not translate well into other languages. In fact, in France, CPA’s and their equivalent are called Chartered Accountants; in French: Compatible Agréé...sounds like someone right out the Pink Panther movie, doesn’t it?
