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Synonyms

certified public accountant

American  

noun

  1. an accountant certified by a state examining board as having fulfilled the requirements of state law to be a public accountant. C.P.A.

certified public accountant British  

noun

  1. (in the US) a public accountant certified to have met state legal requirements Compare certified accountant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of certified public accountant

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is my second year using a tax-preparation firm led by a certified public accountant.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

I recently met a certified public accountant who has never prepared a tax return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

The tax bill also expands eligible expenses to include credentialing and licensing programs such coursework or tests to become a fitness trainer, a certified public accountant, or a lawyer.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Ma is a certified public accountant and has also worked as a member of the California Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2024

Since that date practising as a certified public accountant in New York City.

From Forging Ahead in Business by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.