http://www.manhattan-cpa.com/

1. Richard Gilmartin, CPA
Manhattan-CPA.com
Lesser-Known Services That A CPA Offers
Many people think of certified public accountants as professionals who just help individuals or businesses
keep track of their spending and get their affairs in order for tax season. However, most CPAs have a broad
range of knowledge and offer a number of services beyond basic accounting. Here is a brief overview of some
of the more unusual tasks that you can call a CPA to assist you with.
One common but still less well-known set of services that a certified public accountant offers is investigative
or forensic accounting. These services consist of the accountant searching through accounting records to
disprove or find proof of fraud, negligence, or other wrongdoing or criminal behavior. Often the results of
these investigations may be used in trials. Litigation services, incidentally, are another service that frequently
may be called on to provide. The litigation and forensic services of an accountant may be utilized in various
situations, from disputes between spouses or family members all the way up to investigations of corporations
or large charities. If you suspect any discrepancies or wrongdoing in your business or in your dealings with
someone close to you, a certified public accountant can help you hone in on the problem.
can also offer financial or estate planning services. Financial planning consists of responsibly managing your
finances so that you can live comfortably and still reach your long-term goals. Many people think of financial
planning as being chiefly focused on retirement, but it can be necessary at various points in life - to save for
a house, to set aside money for your children's education, and so on. A certified public accountant can help
you analyze your assets and liabilities to make a plan for managing your finances. Estate planning,
meanwhile, consists of trying to maintain the maximum possible value of your estate, which consists not just
of your home, but also all your property. Maximizing value means doing as much as possible to reduce legal
fees, taxes, and court-related expenses when your estate is passed on to your family. A good accountant can
advise you on how to handle your finances and plan for what will happen to your estate in the future.
Contrary to popular belief, it's never really too early to start working on financial and estate planning.
There are various other applications for the skills that certified public accountants have. Some accountants
specialize in helping companies maintain compliance with a variety of laws and regulations relating to the
environment, taxation, and more. This is an important service, especially in the face of changing laws. Many
accountants specialize in the information technology side of accounting, which is also becoming increasingly
prominent. Other can give advice on international laws regarding trade and finances. can also offer
specialized consulting services, including business and management consulting.
A CPA can offer much more than the standard range of auditing, consulting, and accounting services. Of
course, you also can always count on a certified public accountant to look over your records, balance your
revenue and expenditures, and offer budgeting or other financial advice. Individuals, small businesses,
corporations, and non-profits can all benefit from the services of a certified public accountant, and most will
have to call on the help of one of these professionals many times.
Document Tags: small business payroll, small business cpa, tax audit, hire a cpa firm
Richard Gilmartin, CPA
http://www.manhattancpa.com/
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