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What Is an Accountant?

By Robin Hartill, CFP – Updated Sep 8, 2025 at 11:22PM

Key Points

  • Accountants maintain and interpret financial records; specialization areas include tax, forensic, and management accounting.
  • CPAs can file audited reports with the SEC and represent taxpayers before the IRS, unlike non-CPA accountants.
  • Understanding accountant roles helps investors assess a company's financial health and compliance levels.
Key findings are powered by ChatGPT and based solely off the content from this article. Findings are reviewed by our editorial team. The author and editors take ultimate responsibility for the content.

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