Life's Topics and Concerns

When it comes time to file your income taxes, you must make sure that you are conferring with a professional; otherwise you might get an audit. IRS can audit people, small businesses or large firms, so no one is safe from an audit.

If you do get a summons from the IRS, audit help is available if you contact an attorney or an accountant, although an attorney is often the chosen help because people have the right to claim attorney-client confidentiality if one does not want to reveal a matter.

However, if you consult a certified professional accountant to do your taxes for you, you minimize the chances that you get audited. CPA’s go through a rigorous exam in order to achieve that status. In fact, many accountants decide to forgo the CPA exam because they simply don’t want to be put through the stress.

Accountants often study for the test about six months to nine months ahead of time. It is rare that accountants pass the exam on the first try, even after taking the mandatory courses that are required credit for the exam. Applicants must apply to even sit for the test, which is often done about three months ahead of the exam date. One must research when the exam is offered and at what location, as it varies each month. Sometimes, the exam is not offered in certain months.

Applicants must study subject on commercial finance, residential finance, loans, audit, internet technology and much more. The test is done in sections on the computer. Applicants get about one minute per question, so it does involve hurrying. If one does not finish the exam in time, it is best to quickly go through and guess at the answers, since you do not lose points for the wrong answer; rather, you gain points for the correct answer.