Rant number one (more to come I am sure)!
Everyone who knows me has heard this one already; but here it is anyway.
Accountant
In Illinois anyone and I mean anyone can hang up a shingle and call themselves accountants. As an accountant they can offer accounting services, bookkeeping services, payroll, consulting and until the IRS registration starts taxes. There are no requirements (not even a GED) at all to call oneself an accountant. In Cicero, around January 15th I have seen dry cleaners, travel agents and photographers all pull out signs stating that they are accountants and can prepare your taxes.
There are also two levels of CPA’s.
Registered Certified Public Accountant
Registered CPA’s can call themselves a CPA but do not have to bother with continuing professional education or ethics. This was available until Illinois got their act together to require all CPA’s to be licensed.
Licensed Certified Public Accountant
Licensed CPA’s are required to have 120 hours of continuing professional education every three years. Four hours need to be in ethics (we have the attorney’s to thank for looking out for the ethics of accountants. Where would we be without attorneys?).
Now I am licensed CPA; and if you are working with an accountant ask them what level of accountant they are.