Offices of Certified Public Accountants
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments of accountants that are certified to audit the accounting records of public and private organizations and to attest to compliance with generally accepted accounting practices. Offices of certified public accountants (CPAs) may provide one or more of the following accounting services: (1) auditing financial statements; (2) designing accounting systems; (3) preparing financial statements; (4) developing budgets; and (5) providing advice on matters related to accounting. These establishments may also provide related services, such as bookkeeping, tax return preparation, and payroll processing.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector excludes establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel supply, and physical distribution and logistics. These establishments are classified in Sector 56, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. |
| 541 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector group establishments engaged in processes where human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the services provider. The distinguishing feature of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires degrees, though not in every case. |
| 5412 | Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services 4-digit industry group | Industries in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector group establishments engaged in processes where human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the services provider. The distinguishing feature of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires degrees, though not in every case. |
| 54121 | Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services, such as auditing of accounting records, designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets, preparing tax returns, processing payrolls, bookkeeping, and billing. Illustrative Examples: Accountants' offices Payroll processing services Bookkeeping services Tax return preparation services |
| 541211 | Offices of Certified Public Accountants 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments of accountants that are certified to audit the accounting records of public and private organizations and to attest to compliance with generally accepted accounting practices. Offices of certified public accountants (CPAs) may provide one or more of the following accounting services: (1) auditing financial statements; (2) designing accounting systems; (3) preparing financial statements; (4) developing budgets; and (5) providing advice on matters related to accounting. These establishments may also provide related services, such as bookkeeping, tax return preparation, and payroll processing. |
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Classification References
- 01Providing tax return preparation services only--are classified in U.S. Industry 541213, Tax Preparation Services;
- 02Providing payroll processing services only--are classified in U.S. Industry 541214, Payroll Services; and
- 03Providing accounting, bookkeeping, and billing services--are classified in U.S. Industry 541219, Other Accounting Services.
Index Items
Accountants' (i.e., CPAs) offices, certified public
Accountants' (i.e., CPAs) private practices, certified public
Accounting (i.e., CPAs) services, certified public
Auditing accountants' (i.e., CPAs) offices
Auditing accountants' (i.e., CPAs) private practices
Auditing services (i.e., CPA services), accounts
Auditors' (i.e., CPAs) offices, accounts
Auditors' (i.e., CPAs) private practices, accounts
Certified accountants' offices
Certified public accountants' (CPAs) offices
CPAs' (certified public accountants) offices
Public accountants' (CPAs) offices, certified
Public accountants' (CPAs) private practices, certified
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 541211.
National Society of Accountants
A major US trade association providing resources and certification for accounting professionals.
US Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
The official US government site offering compliance guidelines and regulations for certified public accountants.
American Institute of CPAs
The largest organization in the world for CPAs providing education, ethics, and resources.
