Strategic CPA: Compliance, Tax & Advisory

Start your GCU journey today.

Step 1:
Educational Interests

This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.

Level of Study Make a selection Select One Bachelor's Master's Doctoral Bridge Associate's Certificates High School Dual

Class Setting Make a selection First select a degree level

Area of Study Make a selection First select a degree level and how you would like to attend

Program Make a selection First select degree level, modality, and area of interest

Overview

A CPA is a certified public accountant, an accounting expert who has achieved professional licensure and who can prepare and analyze financial records.

Not all accountants are CPAs. To become a CPA , an accountant must meet licensure requirements established by their state, (See disclaimer 1 ) demonstrating specialized knowledge and competencies in the field. CPAs do more than manage financial records; they also analyze potential risks and business opportunities, generating insights and solutions for organizations and individuals. Learning how to become a certified public accountant may be ideal for students interested in accounting.

Role

The main goals of a CPA are to help organizations and individuals manage financial risk, capitalize on opportunities and remain in compliance with laws and regulations.

To accomplish their goals, a CPA may analyze documents, analyze financial trends and consult executives or other decision-makers.The main responsibilities of a CPA are:

Compliance

CPAs ensure that financial documents comply with ethical frameworks and regulatory requirements.

Tax Planning

CPAs may prepare and file tax returns for organizations and individuals, as well as represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Consulting

After conducting a financial analysis, CPAs may offer guidance on areas like budgeting, risk management and long-term business strategies.

Outlook

The job outlook for accounting professionals is positive for the foreseeable future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),the job growth for accountants and auditors is expected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average. At this rate of job growth,employers expect to hire about 72,800 new professionals during this time period.Additional job openings in this field are expected to replace current accountants and auditors who are retiring or transitioning to other professions, for an estimated total of124,200 job openings each year from 2024 through 2034.

(See disclaimer 2 ) The median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $81,680 as of May 2024. (See disclaimer 3 )

The BLS suggests that the health of the overall economy influences the growing need for accountants and auditors. The increasing globalization of businesses, such as international mergers and acquisitions, is one factor for the positive job growth rate. The BLS anticipates that certain accounting-related tasks will become increasingly automated, yet this is not expected to negatively affect the job outlook .

(See disclaimer 4 ) According to Statista, the U.S. accounting services industry generated $145.5 billion in revenue in 2025. (See disclaimer 5 )

Growth

5%

Projected job growth rate for accountants and auditors from 2024 through 2034 (See disclaimer 2 )

Certified public accountants generally work in office settings, including home offices. They may occasionally travel to meet their clients. A full-time schedule is typical, and some professionals expect to work overtime during certain times of year, such as for quarterly audits and tax season. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants are needed across a wide range of sectors and industries, providing significant flexibility in terms of work settings .

(See disclaimer 6 )

Many CPAs work in accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation firms, where they provide services to a wide range of businesses and individual clients.

Finance and Insurance

Insurance and finance companies, as well as other corporations, hire CPAs as internal accountants to prepare and…