CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

I. Introduction

As professionals, CPAs perform an essential role in society. They are responsible to all those who use their professional services. They also have a continuing responsibility to improve the art of accounting, maintain the public’s confidence, and carry out the profession’s special responsibilities for self-governance. However, the role of a CPA in helping businesses come up with a good and effective decision-making is said to be one of the important responsibilities of a CPA. The many traditional roles of a CPA in assisting businesses take on even greater importance in a volatile economic environment. CPAs are relied upon so much because of not only their keen analytical and decision-making skills but also their objectivity, integrity and dedication to service. Many CPAs provide services well beyond accounting, auditing and reporting. The consumer often expects a CPA to be proficient at many specializations, even those just indirectly related to the traditional role of an accountant. The CPA's role has been quickly expanding, and one leading CPA proposed that the term CPA more appropriately stand for Certified Professional Advisor. (www.picpa.org) A CPA is much more than its definition of Certified Public Accountant. The term certified refers to the licensing to carry on business as a CPA and meeting the standards as promulgated by the American Institute of CPAs and the various state societies. The term public accountant refers to the role as an accountant, who handles recordkeeping and reporting matters for the public. However, the term CPA, in sum, means to most people much more than these parts of certified and public accountant. A CPA is a very trusted advisor of both individuals and of businesses. (www.txcpa.net) Enumerating the roles of CPAs will lead the researchers