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ACAT CREDENTIALS
Recognized nationally, earned voluntarily.
The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation offers four
nationally recognized credentials, all of which are earned voluntarily.
In many cases, these credentials are a deciding factor when a client
chooses a qualified professional.
Accredited Business Accountant® /Accredited
Business Advisor® (ABA)
ABAs specialize in accounting services for individuals and small- to
medium-size businesses. They can provide personalized financial reports
and interpret those reports for you. These professionals have passed
the standardized ACAT examination which tests technical proficiency
in financial accounting, reporting, statement preparation, taxation,
business law, consulting services, and ethics, and have a minimum of
three years of work experience in the accounting/taxation field. Many
CPAs and Enrolled Agents also obtain the Accredited Business Accountant
credential. Some states permit use of the term Accredited Business Accountant;
others permit use of Accredited Business Advisor.
Accredited Tax Advisor®
(ATA)
ATA credential holders have demonstrated the ability to handle sophisticated
tax planning issues, including planning for owners of closely held businesses,
planning for the highly compensated, choosing qualified retirement plans
and performing estate tax planning. Their expertise covers tax returns
for individuals, business entities, fiduciaries, trusts, & estates,
as well as tax planning and consulting and ethics. ATAs have completed
formal coursework and achieved five years of experience in tax preparation,
compliance, tax planning and consulting, of which 40% must be in tax
planning and consulting.
Accredited Tax Preparer®
(ATP)
ATPs have a thorough knowledge of the existing tax code and the preparation
of individual tax returns. Their expertise covers comprehensive 1040
issues (including supporting schedules, self-employed returns) and ethics.
These professionals have completed a minimum of 60 hours of formal coursework
and have a minimum of three years of work experience in taxation.
Accredited Retirement Advisor
(ARA)
Accredited Retirement Advisors have a thorough knowledge of preparing their
clients for retirement; the essentials of estate and trust planning;
and financial planning for the elderly. They have demonstrated their
customer sensitivity and communications skills. These professionals
have completed a special examination required by ACAT.
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About ACAT |
| The Accreditation Council
for Accountancy and Taxation® (ACAT) was established in 1973 as
a non-profit independent testing, accrediting and monitoring organization.
The Council seeks to identify professionals in independent practice
who specialize in providing financial, accounting and taxation services
to individuals and small- to mid-size businesses. Professionals
receive accreditation through examination and/or coursework and
maintain their accreditation through commitment to a significant
program of continuing professional education and adherence to the
Council's Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct. ACAT
is affiliated with the National Society of Accountants, headquartered
in Alexandria, VA. ACAT programs are governed by a Board of Directors
that includes practitioners, educators and a public member. |
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