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Of the nearly 67,000 individuals that sat for the CPA Exam in 2022, the following 50 candidates met the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award.
Isaac M. O'Bannon
May. 18, 2023
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TheAmerican Institute of CPAs has announced the 50 winners of the 2022 Elijah Watt Sells Award. This award is granted to CPA candidates who obtain a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of theUniform CPA Examination, pass all four sections on their first attempt and have completed testing in 2022.
Of the nearly 67,000 individuals that sat for the CPA Exam in 2022, the following 50 candidates met the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award.
“A hearty congratulations to these 50 individuals. The CPA Exam is a rigorous assessment and these individuals have reached a level of understanding and excellence, which has been a milestone of this profession, on their first attempt” saidMike Decker,AICPA Vice President—CPA Examination and Pipeline. “These candidates are commended for an exceptional performance that very few individuals achieve.”
TheElijah Watt Sells Award program was established by the AICPA in 1923 to recognize outstanding performance on the CPA Exam. Sells, one of the first CPAs in the U.S., was active in the establishment of the AICPA and played a key role in advancing education within the profession.
The individuals listed below are the 2022 Sells Award winners in alphabetical order, followed by their board of accountancy affiliation, education, and present employer:
- Daniel Ambalu (New York), a graduate of Yeshiva University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College of the City University of New York, is employed with BDO USA, LLP in New York, NY.
- Victoria Saravia Bazoberry (New York), a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accountancy, is employed with KPMG LLP in New York, NY.
- Danielle Beaulieu(Virginia), a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English literature and a Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Washington, DC.
- Mitchell Behling(Texas), a graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Accountancy, is employed with Deloitte in Dallas, TX.
- Rachel Binau (Kansas), a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting and a Master of Accountancy, is employed with FORVIS in Wichita, KS.
- Cole Borwick (Iowa), a graduate of University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Accountancy, is employed with CliftonLarsonAllen in Cedar Rapids, IA.
- Justin Briggs(Texas), a graduate of The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Science in accounting, is employed with Capital One in Plano, TX.
- Caroline Chipman (Georgia), a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and Master of Accountancy, is employed by BDO in Atlanta, GA.
- Justin Chudzik (Pennsylvania), a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (majoring in accounting) and a Master of Science in Accounting, is employed with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in Norwalk, CT.
- Michael Paul Donnelly, Jr. (Pennsylvania), a graduate of The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in finance and a Master of Professional Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University, is employed with Merck in West Point, PA.
- Timothy Dragonette(Virginia), a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in criminology and criminal justice, is a law student at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, VA.
- Kaarin Kontio Evens(Minnesota), a graduate of Macalester College with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Master of Science in chemistry from University of Wisconsin, Madison (with additional business coursework at Augsburg University), is employed with Lottsa Tax and Accounting Services in Minneapolis, MN.
- Harshil Fadia(Montana), a graduate of the University of Mumbai with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Chartered Accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, was formerly employed with Ernst & Young in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Keely Loeffler Fergus(Texas), a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and business honors and a Master of Science in accounting, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Seattle, WA.
- John Gerling(Texas), a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master in Professional Accounting, is employed with Ernst & Young in Austin, TX.
- Aaron Gibson(Virginia), a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and a Master of Accountancy from University of North Dakota, is employed with Washington Gas Light Company in Washington, DC.
- Kenny Glover(Georgia), a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Accountancy, is employed with Warren Averett LLC in Atlanta, GA.
- Thomas Greco (New York), a graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting information systems and a Master of Science in taxation, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York, NY.
- Stephanie Hetki(Ohio), a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, is employed with BDO in Cleveland, OH.
- Jason Hipp(California), a graduate of The University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Oklahoma, is a retiring Surface Warfare Officer in San Diego, CA transitioning into a career in accounting.
- Kyle Jakubeck(Missouri), a graduate of The University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accounting, is employed with RubinBrown LLP in St. Louis, MO.
- Jacob Kecki(Illinois), a graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance, is employed with Grant Thornton LLP in Chicago, IL.
- Kristin Kitzinger(Pennsylvania), a graduate of West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, is employed with Wipfli LLP in Radnor, PA.
- Lane Knott (Nebraska), a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Professional Accountancy, is employed with Labenz & Associates, LLC in Lincoln, NE.
- Pamela Krumviede(Illinois), a graduate of The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in finance and a Bachelor of Science in accountancy, is employed with Baker Tilly US, LLP in Chicago, IL.
- Lalit Kumar(Montana), a graduate of Delhi University with a Bachelor of Commerce in finance and accounting and a Chartered Accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, is employed with KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP in Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
- Kenny Lam(New York), a graduate of College of Staten Island with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Science in accounting from Hunter College, is employed with The Conference Board in New York, NY.
- Trishla Maniar(Montana), a graduate of Gujarat University with a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, is employed with Vodafone Idea Ltd. in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
- Erin Marcom (Texas), a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration, is employed with Apex Dental Partners in Dallas, TX.
- Riley McKean (Texas), a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and Master of Financial Management, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas, TX.
- Kelsey Meyer(Illinois), a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, is employed with Duly Health and Care in Downers Grove, IL.
- Anum Mohsin(Alaska), a graduate of Karachi University with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Chartered Accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and Institute Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, is employed with Enovis Corporation in Houston, TX.
- Ryan Murphy(Virginia), a graduate of College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting, is employed with Deloitte in Rosslyn, VA.
- Maroun Nammour(Pennsylvania), a graduate of Lebanese University with a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in accounting and auditing and a Master of Arts in accounting and finance, is employed with Farhat Accounting Lectures in West Chester, PA.
- Dhruv Patel (Montana), a graduate of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda with a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and financial management and a Master of Commerce in taxation, and a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, is employed with Ernst & Young in Mumbai, India.
- Nathan Peasland(North Dakota), a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Master of Accountancy, is employed with Brady Martz and Associates in Grand Forks, ND.
- Patrick Walter Poe (Texas), a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics, is employed with Ernst & Young in Houston, TX.
- Ryan Quade (Missouri), a student in the integrated Juris Doctor/Master of Accountancy program at Brigham Young University, is employed with Universal CPA Review.
- Joshua Seest(South Carolina), a graduate of Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, is employed with RSM US LLP in Charlotte, NC.
- Karsyn Sewell (South Carolina), a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and Master of Accountancy, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Spartanburg, SC.
- Mitchell Stanek(North Carolina), a graduate of Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Master of Accountancy in valuation from Vanderbilt University, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Charlotte, NC.
- Maddison Sumners (Minnesota), a graduate of Bethel University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance, is employed with Deloitte in Minneapolis, MN.
- Jordan Vitt(Kansas), a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in business, accounting and a Master of Accounting, is employed with Glass Consulting, LLC in Lawrence, KS.
- Jiayun Wang (California), a graduate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University with Bachelor of Accounting and MSc in management and strategy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Jose, CA.
- Justin Warren(Arizona), a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in finance, a Bachelor of Science in accountancy, and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, is employed with CBIZ MHM, LLC in Phoenix, AZ.
- Colin Webber(Missouri), a graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Professional Accountancy and Master of Business Administration from Pittsburg State’s Kelce College of Business, is employed with Ernst & Young in Kansas City, MO.
- Douglas Whittlesey(New Hampshire), a graduate of Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business, is employed with Optum in Eden Prairie, MN.
- Wilson Wu(Texas), a graduate of University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin, is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Houston, TX.
- Ryan Yanke(Wisconsin), a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Science in accountancy from Edgewood College, is employed with State of Wisconsin Investment Board in Madison, WI.
- Josh Young(New York), a graduate of the University of Missouri with a Master of Accountancy, is employed with Armanino LLP in Dallas, TX.
The AICPA, which owns and scores the CPA Exam, works with hundreds of volunteers and other stakeholders to maintain its relevance to the profession and alignment with the knowledge and skills required of a newly licensed CPA. To support candidates along their journey, the AICPA provides a wealth of information and tools, including theCPA Exam Blueprints,sample tests and tutorial topics and the Uniform CPA Exam booklet.
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FAQs
AICPA Recognizes Top 2022 CPA Exam Performers with Elijah Watt Sells Award? ›
AICPA Recognizes Top 2022 CPA Exam Performers with Elijah Watt Sells Award. Of the nearly 67,000 individuals that sat for the CPA Exam in 2022, the following 50 candidates met the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award.
Do you get anything for Elijah Watt sells award? ›The Elijah Watt Sells Award automatically puts you into a higher echelon of CPAs, one that shall reward you with prestige, money, and tail (if that's your thing) well through retirement. Upon receipt of the award, you get a pony, your own parking space, and 72 virgins waiting for you in Heaven.
What is the hardest CPA Exam in the world? ›Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) Often considered the most difficult exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has had the lowest passing scores of the four exams.
How many people pass all 4 CPA exams first try? ›The overall pass rate for each section of the CPA exam hovers around 50%, but how many people manage to pass all four sections on the first try? About 20%. Around 1 in 2 people will pass a specific section of the exam, and about 1 in 5 people will pass each section on their first try.
Is CPA Exam getting harder in 2024? ›Basically, the CPA Evolution initiative means that the CPA Exam will change by January 2024. And since you will need to demonstrate your skills in the core content areas plus a sub-discipline, the CPA Exam could become much more challenging.
How many people get the Elijah Watt sells award? ›Of the nearly 67,000 individuals that sat for the CPA Exam in 2022, the following 50 candidates met the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award. The American Institute of CPAs has announced the 50 winners of the 2022 Elijah Watt Sells Award.
How many people get Elijah Watts? ›How many Elijah Watt Sells Award winners are there each year? The number of Elijah Watt Sells Award winners varies based on the number of CPA Exam takers who meet the required criteria. The AICPA recently announced that 57 CPA Exam takers qualified for the Elijah Watt Sells Award in 2021.
Is the CPA harder than the bar? ›It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.
What is the easiest CPA exam in the world? ›What is the easiest part of the CPA exam? BEC has the highest pass rate and is considered the easiest CPA exam section.
Which US CPA is the easiest? ›Colorado's (CO) CPA exam requirements are possibly the most advantageous of all the states. It does not require 150 hours to sit. With no requirement to be a US Citizen, a resident of CO, or a certain age, it makes Colorado one of the easiest states to sit for the CPA exam and become licensed.
What is the average age of CPA test takers? ›
CPA Exam Rate by Age
As per the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the average age of qualified candidates in 2016 was 28.9 years at one of the examinations. In 2015, a NASBA report observed that the mean age of successful candidates was 29, with the median age being 25 years.
According to the AICPA a high CPA exam score is anything over 85. Since less than 50% of candidates don't get above a score of 75, a score of 85 is in the top 10 percentile. Remember, the CPA exam isn't scored on a percentage basis. It is a standardized test that is scored on percentiles.
Which CPA Exam has the highest pass rate? ›Business Environment & Concepts (BEC) CPA Exam Pass Rates
It has the least amount of material and is typically more easy to understand. Historically, the average pass rate of BEC is the highest among all four exam sections.
If you haven't heard, there's a new CPA in town. Her name is Belicia Cespedes and she was just 17 years old when she passed her CPA Exam. You read that right, 17. Which pretty much makes Belicia the world's youngest CPA.
Is the CPA changing in 2023? ›This comes as the AICPA is modernizing the CPA Exam, which will have a greater emphasis on emerging technology. The revised exam will be rolled out in January 2024. The last day to take current CPA exams is expected to be Dec. 15, 2023.
How many times do people fail the CPA Exam? ›Yes, stats show that around 80% of CPA candidates fail at least one section fo the CPA exam. The average pass rate for one section is around 45-55%. FAR being the lowest passed section and BEC being the highest.
What is the gold medal award for CPA Exam? ›The Gold Medal Award of Distinction recognizes a person whose influence on the accounting profession as a whole is especially notable in comparison to other industry leaders.
What is the AICPA CPA Exam award? ›This award recognizes the achievements of CPAs employed in federal, state or local government and promotes the CPA designation as the premier professional credential for accounting, auditing, and finance professionals in government.
What CPA means? ›A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals. Whatever those goals-saving for a new home, opening a new office, or planning a multi-billion dollar merger-CPAs can help.
What is the hardest subject in CPA? ›- Auditing & Attestation. ...
- Financial Accounting & Reporting. ...
- Business Environment & Concepts. ...
- Regulation. ...
- CPA Exam sections—hardest to easiest.
- Among the four sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest. ...
- Scoring weights.
What percentage of people pass CPA exam on first try? ›
You've probably heard quite a bit of intimidating details about how hard it is — it's long, it requires hundreds of hours of study time, it's so difficult that the average CPA Exam passing rate for first-time candidates is only 50%.
Can you get a 100 on the CPA exam? ›You can get a score that ranges from 0 to 99 in each of the four sections of the CPA exam.
What is harder than the CPA? ›Keep in mind, the Bar exam has much more difficult requirements to even sit for the exam—you need to go to law school, which is quite a commitment, both financially and in terms of time. While the CPA requires accounting experience and coursework, there's a lower bar for entry for this test.
Is the CPA getting harder? ›The CPA Evolution Blueprint has moved some of the more difficult FAR topics (e.g., governmental accounting, derivatives, consolidation, etc.) into the BAR discipline track. Candidates waiting for 2024 to sit for FAR will have an exam that goes deeper into topics, but covers less difficult and advanced topics.
Is the CPA Exam changing in 2024? ›There will be a new infrastructure, new discipline sections, and a greater emphasis on technology throughout. Starting January 1, 2024, there will be several changes to the infrastructure of the CPA Exam. These include: A new way of assessing research and related critical thinking skills will be introduced.
Which state CPA is best in USA? ›- Illinois. 90.5. -9.5% +2%
- Texas. 92.6. -7.4% 0%
- Indiana. 91.1. -8.9% -5%
- Mississippi. 85.1. -14.9% -11%
- Oklahoma. 88.2. -11.8% -8%
- Louisiana. 92.8. -7.2% 4%
- West Virginia. 90.1. -9.9% -7%
- Kansas. 86.9. -13.1% -11%
The CPA Exam is widely recognized as one of the most difficult professional exams out there: Many consider it to be harder than the BAR exam, and even rank it as more difficult than many medical board exams.
Which CPA exam has the least material? ›There are several reasons why the BEC section is considered the easiest section of the four. In addition to the fact that it covers the least material and is of the shortest of the four exam sections, BEC also does not have any simulation questions; however, it does contain 3 written communication questions.
How old are most accountants? ›The average age of an employed accountant is 43 years old. The most common ethnicity of accountants is White (61.1%), followed by Asian (15.0%), Hispanic or Latino (10.9%) and Black or African American (8.6%). Accountants are most in-demand in New York, NY. The technology industry is the highest-paying for accountants.
Is being a CPA impressive? ›Yes, the CPA designation is one that is viewed as very prestigious by the business community. Having these three letters next to your name represents a thorough knowledge of accounting processes and a dedication to the profession.
Is the CPA exam curved? ›
Scores are not curved. When you fail an Exam section, you'll also receive a Candidate Performance Report that assesses your performance on that specific section. CPA Exam scoring is treated with a high level of importance, due diligence, and attention to accuracy.
Has anyone aced the CPA? ›Michael Kimble, CPA
Perfect score on Audit. Passed all sections on the first try with an average score of 96.5. Eligible for the Elijah Watt Sells Award.
Are CPA Exam scores confidential to employers? Your employer, including your current boss and future employers, cannot request to see your scores. So, even if they write to NASBA, the AICPA, or your state board, they cannot see the results of your exam.
Why is the CPA Exam so hard? ›What makes the CPA Exam so hard? The CPA Exam is so difficult because: It covers a wide variety of topics at different skill levels. It tests those topics using multiple question types, including some that simulate real-world tasks CPAs are expected to perform.
Has the CPA gotten easier? ›People always wonder if the cpa exam is harder than it used to be. Don't worry about the cpa exam difficulty increasing over time. If you are already worried about this, then you are just preparing your excuse. If you look at the test scores over the years, test scores have been going up.
Are CPAs declining? ›More than 300,000 U.S. accountants and auditors have left their jobs in the past two years, a 17% decline, and the dwindling number of college students coming into the field can't fill the gap.
How long do you have to pass all 4 parts of CPA Exam? ›While every state/jurisdiction has its own unique requirements for obtaining a CPA license, they all require that a candidate pass the CPA Exam, and you have 18 months to finish all 4 parts of the CPA Exam (clock begins ticking after you pass your first section), so be mindful of scheduling and studying.
What is the CPA review exam for 2024? ›In 2024, the CPA Evolution Exam will include three core exams (AUD, FAR and REG) and one discipline exam of your choosing (either BAR, ISC or TCP). No longer will each candidate take the same four exams. While the names of the core exams remain the same, the content of each is changing.
What happens when you pass all 4 CPA exams? ›As soon as you know that you have passed all four parts of the CPA Exam you may apply for licensure; there is no need to wait for your pass letter. Is an ethics examination required? Yes. However, it is not necessary to take the ethics examination until you are prepared to apply for the CPA license.
What is the 74 on the CPA Exam? ›Your 74 on the CPA Exam does not mean you were one point away from passing. Instead, your 74 means once they determined you failed, they compared your score with other people that failed and determine you performed better than them but still failed.
What happens when you pass all 4 parts of the CPA Exam? ›
After successfully passing all four sections of the CPA Exam, the next step is to complete the other requirements for obtaining a CPA license in the state in which you plan to ultimately practice as a CPA.
What is the top score award for CPA Exam? ›The Elijah Watt Sells Award program was established by the AICPA in 1923 to recognize outstanding performance on the CPA Exam. Sells, one of the first CPAs in the U.S., was active in the establishment of the AICPA and played a key role advancing professional education within the profession.
What is the highest score on the CPA Exam? ›The maximum score possible is a 99. In the accounting world, aspiring CPAs strive for a 75, the minimum passing score of the challenging assessment. “And Dr. [Ronald] Guidry would always say, if you score much higher than that, you're doing too much,” Hartley said.
What is the perfect score on the CPA Exam? ›According to the AICPA, the minimum requirement of passing a CPA exam is 75 points in each section. The exam is scored out of 99, so the maximum/highest score can be 99 in each exam section.
Is a 75 on the CPA Exam 75%? ›Most CPA candidates know they need a “75” on each of the four exam sections to pass the CPA Exam, but “75” does not mean answering 75% of the questions right. Rather, 75 is the amount of points a candidate has earned for answering questions correctly, and different questions are worth different amounts of points.
Is a 75% on the CPA Exam passing? ›To pass a CPA Exam section, you must score a minimum of 75. Have you ever wondered how the AICPA calculates your CPA Exam section scores? Scores are reported on a scale that ranges from 0 to 99.
What is the easiest CPA exam to pass? ›What is the easiest part of the CPA exam? BEC has the highest pass rate and is considered the easiest CPA exam section.
How many people fail the CPA the first time? ›You've probably heard quite a bit of intimidating details about how hard it is — it's long, it requires hundreds of hours of study time, it's so difficult that the average CPA Exam passing rate for first-time candidates is only 50%.
Has anyone ever gotten a 100 on CPA exam? ›The CPA exam is scored on a scale of 0-99, with a passing score of 75. The highest a candidate can score on a CPA exam is a 99. You just have to achieve a 75 to pass. As long as its a passing score, the actual score won't matter.
Does the CPA exam get harder if you are doing well? ›The first testlet is always a medium testlet. If a candidate performs well on the first testlet, he/ she will get a more difficult second testlet while those who do not perform well on the first testlet will receive a second medium difficulty testlet. This testing process is called multi-stage testing (MST).
Is the CPA test really that hard? ›
The CPA exam is a four-part, in-depth assessment of proficiency in all requirements for public accountancy. It is considered one of the most challenging professional exams on the planet. When the national pass rate is roughly 50%, you know it can't be an easy exam. Hundreds of hours of study time will be necessary.
Are all CPAs members of the AICPA? ›AICPA membership is available to CPAs and other accounting professionals who meet specific criteria, but the AICPA does not certify CPAs. A CPA is certified by meeting the education and licensing requirements in the state where they practice.
What is the best of accounting award? ›Best of AccountingTM is an industry award recognizing public accounting firms that have demonstrated exceptional service quality based exclusively on ratings provided by their clients.
What is the difference between an accountant and a CPA? ›A CPA is not the same as an accountant. An accountant is typically a professional who has earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a professional who has earned their CPA license through a combination of education, experience and examination.