certified public accountant
3
3.9
- noun
- /ˈsɜːrtɪfaɪd ˈpʌblɪk əˈkaʊntənt/
- Specialized
:
contador público certificado
- You may prefer to consult a certified public accountant or financial planner for tax advice.
Examples
-
A certified public accountant with experience as a county auditor, Ramona Pearson was the city's EFM from 2001 to 2005.
Academic text (2017) -
In fact, it is widely regarded as one of the four top business colleges in the country and trains almost one out of every three of the certified public accountants working in New York.
Academic text (1990) -
I'm a certified public accountant for the state.
-
The court sentenced him to five years of probation, but he was allowed to keep his license as a certified public accountant.
Blog text (15) -
But back on Earth, you were Arnold Amlingmeyer, certified public accountant of Queens, New York.
Fiction book (1997) -
It can also be done by licensed professionals such as an attorney, certified public accountant, or agents.
Blog text (3) -
There are various state-level impediments in this country because each state seems to have its own feeling about what is required to become a certified public accountant.
Academic text (1990) -
But how does a certified public accountant (CPA) attain the competence a client relies on every year?
Academic text (2002) -
We call a septic company when sewage backs up into our house; we take our complicated tax returns to a certified public accountant who is knowledgeable about new tax laws; and we let our veterinarian perform surgery on our family pet.
Academic text (2005) -
Hennigan received his bachelor's degree and master's in business administration (MBA) from Syracuse University and is a certified public accountant (CPA).
Blog text (6)
Synonyms
212
2.7
A person who keeps and checks money records for people or companies
29
4.2
A person who passed exams to be a public accountant in the United States
1
5.5
An officially certified accountant who checks and advises on company finances
How Qualified
- UK
1
5.5
- Specialized
3
3.9
212
2.7
24
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
certified + public + accountant
The meaning is largely derivable from the parts: 'certified' (officially authorized) + 'public' + 'accountant' points to an accountant who is officially certified to serve the public. However, the institutional/legal specifics (the US professional/licensing sense of a CPA) and the precise role of 'public' can be misleading or not fully predictable for a B1 learner, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Certified public accountant comes from the idea of an accountant who is certified, given an official certificate, to serve the public, meaning approved by the government. So it refers to an accountant who has passed exams and is 'licensed' to work for people and companies.