{"id":13190,"date":"2026-07-22T08:57:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.academy.intuit.com\/?p=13190"},"modified":"2026-07-22T08:57:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:57:43","slug":"cpa-vs-tax-preparer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/academy.intuit.com\/blog\/job-readiness\/accounting\/cpa-vs-tax-preparer\/","title":{"rendered":"CPA vs. Tax Preparer: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Accounting<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

CPA vs. Tax Preparer: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n
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Intuit Academy Blog Team<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

12 Mins read<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Life as a tax professional can be rewarding, especially when your work positively impacts your clients. But if you\u2019re just starting out, choosing the right career path can be tricky.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re still in college or considering a career shift. The question is often the same: Do I become a tax preparer or a CPA? Both help people with their taxes, but the entry requirements and day-to-day work look pretty different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tax preparers focus specifically on preparing and filing tax returns. Certified public accountants (CPAs) are licensed accounting professionals with a much broader scope, including audit, financial advisory, and tax planning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article breaks down the key distinctions and similarities between CPAs and tax preparers to help you decide which path might be best for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Points<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n