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What does a CPA do? Insight from one of the top CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA
April 1, 2021 at 7:00 AM
What does a CPA do? Insight from one of the top CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA

A CPA is a certified public accountant who helps businesses and individuals reach their tax and financial goals. They offer a variety of different services, from individual tax planning to business consulting.

As one of the leading CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA, Denk & Associates has been a trusted provider of tax and accounting services for local residents. In this article, we’re sharing more about what CPAs do and how you can benefit from hiring one.

The basics: accountants vs. CPAs

Before we dive in, it’s helpful to understand the differences between an accountant and a CPA. In simple terms, all CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs. CPAs are professionals who have passed the state CPA exam, which requires rigorous education and training.

CPAs must meet strict licensing requirements, giving them the ability to act as fiduciaries, which means they have a legal responsibility to act on behalf of their clients’ best interests. This is why working with CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA, can give you a distinct advantage over hiring a non-CPA accountant: you can get expert-level financial advice and tax services.

Typical services offered by a CPA

The services offered by CPAs differ, but these are some of the typical services you can expect:

Tax preparation and filing

Tax preparation isn’t always a straight-forward process, especially for businesses or individuals with complicated finances. That’s why many choose to consult with the leading CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA, such as Denk & Associates.

Enlisting the help of a CPA will ensure you can take advantage of every deduction and tax credit available to you. A qualified CPA can reduce your overall tax burden and help prevent you from incurring hefty fines, which may result when attempting to do your own taxes.

In the event you are audited, working with a CPA offers another advantage: they have the fiduciary responsibility to represent you before the IRS. A non-CPA accountant isn’t held to this same level of responsibility.

Business consulting

Are you trying to reach a specific business goal? Are you wondering how you could run your business more efficiently while lowering your tax burden? These and many other questions can be answered by an experienced CPA.

Since certified public accountants have in-depth knowledge of tax codes, auditing methods, and the financial intricacies of running a business, they are the people to turn to when you run into business challenges. At Denk & Associates, our team frequently helps businesses here in Harrisburg, PA, run more efficiently and profitably.

Accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll

Handling the day-to-day accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll tasks is an essential part of running any business, but it requires time and expertise. By hiring a CPA to handle these tasks for you, you can get back to what’s important: running your core operations.

Not only will you be able to focus on running your business, but you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that an expert is handling your business’ finances. CPAs have deep insight into the relevant tax codes that may affect your business, and they can ensure your business is staying compliant with state and federal regulations.

Seeking CPA firms in Harrisburg, PA? Contact Denk & Associates

Denk & Associates is a leading choice among businesses and individuals in Harrisburg, PA. Our experienced professionals offer a wide range of tax and accounting services, including customized business consulting, taxes, financial statement preparation, and more. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.