T
The Daily Insight

Does a certified public accountant do taxes?

Author

James Williams

Published Mar 31, 2026

What Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) Do. A CPA has an additional level of credibility and expertise. In addition to preparing and reviewing financial statements, CPAs also prepare tax returns for businesses and individuals, sign tax returns, and represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits and other matters.

What does a CPA charge to prepare taxes?

The average cost of hiring a certified public accountant (CPA) to prepare and submit a Form 1040 and state return with no itemized deductions is $176, while the average fee for an itemized Form 1040 and a state tax return is $273.

What do tax accountants look for?

So if you’re searching for help, here are seven tips on how to find the best tax preparer or tax advisor for you.

  1. Ask for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
  2. Require a CPA, law license or Enrolled Agent designation.
  3. Look for friends in high places.
  4. Compare fees.
  5. Reconsider tax advisors who don’t e-file.

Where can I get a Certified Public Accountant to do my taxes?

Retail tax franchises such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service offer competent help if you just want to file a relatively straightforward tax return. Sometimes you can even find certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents (EAs) working in these offices.

What kind of accountant do I need for my taxes?

Finding a Tax Accountant. CPAs often specialize in an area specific to accounting. Some CPAs specialize in tax accounting, but not all CPAs handle tax issues. A CPA can also represent you before the IRS if you’re dealing with an audit or collections. Tax attorneys are lawyers who have chosen to specialize in tax law.

Do you have to be a CPA to be an accountant?

Accountants don’t have to take a licensing exam and they are not licensed in a state. They don’t have continuing education requirements. A certified public accountant (CPA) is a professional accountant who met state qualifications. A CPA is licensed by a state and must keep current with tax laws in order to maintain a license in that state.

What kind of Rights does a Certified Public Accountant have?

UNLIMITED REPRESENTATION RIGHTS: Enrolled agents, certified public accountants, and attorneys have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. Tax professionals with these credentials may represent their clients on any matters including audits, payment/collection issues, and appeals.