If you've been considering going out on your own and starting a CPA firm, you're in good company. For many accounting professionals, this allows you to take control of your career and finding both professional and financial fulfillment. To help you with opening your own firm, we're walking you through why it's a great idea, what you need to get started and how to make it a thriving business.

Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) must complete annual continuing professional education (CPE) obligations. 

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS® must display deep subject matter expertise in a variety of areas in financial planning. To sustain their level of excellence, CFP® professionals must maintain their credential with yearly CFP® continuing education requirements.Learn your CFP® CE requirements, so you can keep your certification in good standing and stay up to date in your area of specialization. 

Accountants and CPA firms rely on accounting software to help them increase efficiency, accuracy, and organization. But not all software is created equal. If you're starting your firm, or researching options for your current organization, learn how to find the right accounting software for accountants based on your specific responsibilities, plus know what options are available, purpose of each one, and characteristics that distinguish one platform from another. 

Working in taxation offers a world of career possibilities, from tax preparation to adding tax planning within wealth management. If you’re a professional in this area (or plan to be), learn how tax certifications will help you advance your career and expand your client base, and which ones are the best options, depending on your career. Why are tax certifications valuable? All you need to prepare taxes is a PTIN, so you can work as a tax professional without certifications, but your career growth will be stunted. Tax certifications bring you: 

Learn about changes to the CPA Exam and the 2025 CPA Exam schedule and score release dates

The journey to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is challenging, requiring you to pass the CPA exam, gain at least a year of work experience, and for most candidates, earn 150 hours of college credit. 

When you need to analyze a large quantity of data, taking a random sample helps you to make accurate, unbiased conclusions such as assisting with market or product research. To help you get started, we're sharing three ways to use Excel for random sampling and random selection with steps and images.  

If you work in tax, and you want to build your career, consider earning your Enrolled Agent credential. Increased IRS audits, changes in tax law, and economic uncertainty have led to a growing demand for EAs and holding it broadens your opportunities and increases your earning potential. If you're asking, "What is an Enrolled Agent, and how do I become one," we're sharing everything you need to know.

Prudence is a fundamental concept for accountants, but it’s even more important during times of economic uncertainty. To help you better understand this concept and apply it more effectively in your day-to-day work, we’re walking you through a more detailed look at prudence in accounting with examples and best practices.