What's the difference between a CPA, Bookkeeper, and a CFO? Accounting Services Explained

There’s a lot of confusion in the business world about accounting services and what accountants ACTUALLY do. So this video is all about helping break down what a bookkeeper vs EA vs CPA vs CFO actually does, so that you can be more confident about WHO you need in your organization to help you succeed financially.
We cover Bookkeepers, Full Charge Bookkeepers, tax preparers, Enrolled Agents (EAs), CPAs, and CFOs in this video. What are they....and who do YOU need?
Note: I am hard on my industry sometimes.....but I love you all! ❤️❤️❤️
Number nerds have to stick together...but sometimes we need to be teased 😜
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(As an affiliate or referral partner for these companies, I may earn rewards from qualifying purchases)
Hannah Smolinski is a #CPA and the Founder of Clara CFO Group. Find out more about Clara CFO Group at claracfo.com/
Disclaimer: This video is intended for educational purposes and
should not be taken as legal or tax advice. You should consult with your financial professionals about your unique financial situation before acting on anything discussed in these videos. Clara CFO Group, LLC is providing educational content to help small business owners become more aware of certain issues and topics, but we cannot give blanket advice to a broad audience.

Пікірлер: 62

  • @stoneyj1a1
    @stoneyj1a12 ай бұрын

    Very well explained, sweet and to the point

  • @joelnelson1682
    @joelnelson16823 жыл бұрын

    So good Hannah! Great breakdown on these positions. And yes please.... content around e-commerce (Shopify) sales tax would be amazing! Keep it up!

  • @craigswiger8709
    @craigswiger87094 ай бұрын

    Great advice!!! Thank You!!!

  • @FeastofChamps
    @FeastofChamps6 ай бұрын

    Your videos are the best!

  • @wencircs9270
    @wencircs92702 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the video. I was able to re-evaluate my position. You do such a great work of simplifying things so everyone can understand.

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    So glad it helped! Thanks for being here!

  • @LRob65
    @LRob65 Жыл бұрын

    This was super helpful and from what I could tell pretty spot on. Thanks for the valuable info!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

  • @danhernandez6809
    @danhernandez68093 жыл бұрын

    This was a very informative video. Thank you for the information.

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 жыл бұрын

    So glad it helped!

  • @dcat3510
    @dcat3510 Жыл бұрын

    This is a very helpful video.. You make some crucial and important points on the distinctions and what is needed.

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! There's a lot of confusion about these roles, so I'm glad I could clear it up!

  • @concessionconcessions1761
    @concessionconcessions17612 жыл бұрын

    Very informative. Thank you!!!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @darrenc.8663
    @darrenc.8663 Жыл бұрын

    Great video! Very helpful. Where would a Controller fit in these categories?

  • @simonegordon3659
    @simonegordon3659 Жыл бұрын

    Fabulous review of financial positions. Thank you very much

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the feedback!

  • @TheSharareh1
    @TheSharareh1 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Clara, thanks for the great info. By the way, EAs have to study and pass 3 rigorous exams, all regarding TAXATION (for Individuals, Businesses, and Representation in front of the IRS). The material is the same material that CPAs have to study for their exam for “Tax purposes”. EAs can represent anyone from ANY state in front of the IRS. Of course, the CPA exam covers 3 other non-tax related sections as well, which are audit, financials, and business. (CPA is a state-specific credential while EA is a federal one). Also, I think what you explained as CFO's job description is what an ACCOUNTANT does as well. The very first difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper is the level of education. Accountants usually have at least a bachelor's degree specifically in “Accounting” and most of the time a master’s degree in accounting. They review and analyze the data that the bookkeeper has already organized and reconciled. They offer services such as financial statement analysis, budgeting, KPI, forecasting, benchmarking, budget variance analysis, etc. P.S.: I really enjoy your videos!

  • @vonnettagraves-brooks8874
    @vonnettagraves-brooks88748 ай бұрын

    Hi Clara, thank you for sharing clear, detailed information. It has been very helpful. ♥️

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    7 ай бұрын

    So glad!

  • @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle
    @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for these videos

  • @abosedeolodude3011
    @abosedeolodude30118 ай бұрын

    thanks for the explanation

  • @simplyroshie
    @simplyroshie7 ай бұрын

    Thank you Hanna. I'm watching from Philippines,

  • @MasterYourBooks
    @MasterYourBooks Жыл бұрын

    Great video! How do you define "fractional" vs full CFO?

  • @heathercraig5183
    @heathercraig51833 жыл бұрын

    This is great!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @elianasmith6330
    @elianasmith63303 ай бұрын

    Another invaluable channel will explore more videos from you, sir. This will help me plan my insurance, thank you!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for being here!

  • @germanalvarez745
    @germanalvarez7453 жыл бұрын

    Excellent!!! Thanks

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it!

  • @brianmcclemens2802
    @brianmcclemens2802 Жыл бұрын

    Your the Best ! Thanks again for helping me with getting my PPP 1 back in 2020 . Blessed !

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad to help!

  • @brianmcclemens2802

    @brianmcclemens2802

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ClaraCFO looking forward to my work session tomorrow with Kristi to help with ERC . Highly recommend the Clara CFO Group !

  • @dadjbig
    @dadjbig Жыл бұрын

    Great video. Thank you

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @jaylenlenear7850
    @jaylenlenear78502 жыл бұрын

    Very informative. Subscribed

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Welcome aboard!

  • @javierolivares4678
    @javierolivares46782 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank YOU so much! Hope this helps clear up some questions!

  • @user-ku7hp5dm3y
    @user-ku7hp5dm3y Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Hannah

  • @gabrieldiaz8523
    @gabrieldiaz85232 жыл бұрын

    One of the best explanations of our industry, that I’ve heard.

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Gabriel!! What do you do?

  • @gabrieldiaz8523

    @gabrieldiaz8523

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ClaraCFO I’m a full-charge bookkeeper, and tax preparer. I typically work with clients who have complicated finances and years of undone tax filings and lack of record keeping. It’s hard to explain to clients the complexity of what’s going through my brain when I am entering transactions (is this schedule C? 1120S? How will I explain this in an audit? Is this depreciable? If so, to which income source? Which depreciation schedule? Did they have personal use? Which publications provide exceptions to the rule? On and on and on.) Clients don’t see that. They see the finished product that looks so easy and simple.

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@gabrieldiaz8523 That's important work you are doing!

  • @samuelhyongsokkim7367
    @samuelhyongsokkim7367 Жыл бұрын

    I LOVE YOU HANNAH! -FROM YOUR SECRET ADMIRER LOL =)

  • @jessysixx8700
    @jessysixx87003 ай бұрын

    I'm so glad I found you. I currently want to start bookkeeping as a business. I have a business degree and I work as an AP SUPERVISOR. What would you suggest classes or certification I take to make sure I know exactly what I am doing as a bookkeeper.

  • @rafiullahjan4262
    @rafiullahjan4262 Жыл бұрын

    Superb!!!

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Cheers!

  • @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle
    @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle6 ай бұрын

    Do you have any videos specific to real estate and property management?

  • @roxannavillicana9945
    @roxannavillicana99452 жыл бұрын

    Great video!! What would you recommend for a small non profit ?

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Roxanna - I'd start with a bookkeeper to make sure you have your numbers in order!

  • @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle
    @TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle6 ай бұрын

    That’s so true. Unless I ask specifically, it doesn’t get applied.

  • @paulcali08
    @paulcali08 Жыл бұрын

    I accrue a healthy amount of monthly interest from my online high yield savings accounts. I am retired, therefore I have no withholdings. Do I have to make estimated tax payments on the tax owed on this interest on a quarterly basis, or will I avoid penalties if I just wait for my 1099-INT at the end of the tax season? I've searched the IRS site extensively, but find nothing addressing this. Thank you.

  • @learnamericanenglishlangua6416
    @learnamericanenglishlangua6416 Жыл бұрын

    Hi ...can i import an excel chart into quickbooks?

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    Жыл бұрын

    What kind of chart?

  • @yuvaldavidi6751
    @yuvaldavidi67513 жыл бұрын

    YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Like Like Like :))

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad this helps! 🙌

  • @jaylenlenear7850
    @jaylenlenear78502 жыл бұрын

    Do CFO have to enter into multi year contracts ?

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    2 жыл бұрын

    No, but some may choose to set their businesses up that way

  • @cemgumus1989
    @cemgumus19893 жыл бұрын

    You are more beautiful than shakira😀

  • @ClaraCFO

    @ClaraCFO

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haha!