A certified public accountant (CPA) can protect your business from costly tax mistakes, identify deductions you'd otherwise miss, and keep your financial records audit-ready. When you need help with annual filings, quarterly estimates, or ongoing bookkeeping, the right CPA brings specialized knowledge that pays for itself.
What does a certified public accountant do?
A CPA is a licensed financial professional who has passed the Uniform CPA Examination and met state-specific education and experience requirements. CPAs handle a wide range of accounting tasks, from preparing tax returns to advising on long-term financial strategy. Their license also grants them authority to represent clients before the IRS and sign audited financial statements.
Common CPA responsibilities include:
Preparing and filing federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals and businesses
Reviewing financial statements for accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Advising on tax planning strategies to reduce liabilities and maximize deductions
Conducting or preparing for internal and external audits
Managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger reconciliation
Providing guidance on business structure, cash flow management, and regulatory compliance
CPAs often rely on QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, FreshBooks, Drake Tax, Intuit ProConnect Tax, Lacerte, CCH Axcess, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS, and Microsoft Excel for bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial analysis, and reporting.
How to hire a certified public accountant on Upwork
Upwork gives you access to freelance CPAs across specializations, from individual tax prep to corporate audit support. Follow these four steps to find and hire the right CPA for your project.
Step 1: Post a job
Start by describing what you need explicitly so qualified candidates can self-select. Check out this certified public accountant job description template for guidance. Your job post should mention:
The type of engagement (one-time filing, ongoing monthly accounting, or audit support), your business entity type, and any industry-specific requirements such as nonprofit or e-commerce accounting.
Required CPA license and state of licensure
Relevant specializations (tax, audit, forensic accounting, or advisory)
Software proficiency (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, or similar)
Deadlines tied to filing dates or reporting cycles
Expected budget
Whether you need experience with specific tax codes or entity types
Use the Job Post Generator — powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI — to speed things up. Describe what you need in a few sentences, and Uma will draft a job post for certified public accountants that you can review and customize.
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
As proposals come in, look for CPAs with the credentials, industry expertise, and tax or accounting experience that match your business needs.
Confirm the candidate holds an active CPA license in good standing
Look for relevant experience in tax, audit, advisory, or financial reporting
Prioritize candidates who’ve worked with businesses similar to yours in size or industry
Review their experience with your accounting software, such as QuickBooks, Xero, or NetSuite
Check Job Success Score, talent badges, client reviews, and portfolio samples
Uma can conduct instant video interviews and provide shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to help you identify strong candidates faster.
Step 3: Interview your top choices
Use interviews to evaluate each CPA's technical expertise, communication style, and ability to support your financial goals.
Discuss their experience with your industry, business structure, and accounting needs
Ask how they approach tax planning, compliance, and identifying potential deductions
Explore how they stay current with tax law changes and continuing professional education (CPE) requirements
Confirm familiarity with your accounting software and financial reporting processes
For additional guidance, review these accountant interview questions
You can schedule interviews directly within Upwork Messages. Conversations are documented with transcripts and summaries so you can revisit details when making your final decision.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Before work begins, agree on a contract with clear expectations for deliverables, deadlines, and communication to keep your engagement on track.
Define project milestones around specific tax filings, financial statements, audits, or advisory services
Establish reporting schedules, filing deadlines, and communication preferences
Clarify whether the engagement is project-based, seasonal, or ongoing
Determine how financial documents and sensitive information will be shared securely
Use Upwork's messaging and contract workroom to manage communication and project details in one place. Take advantage of identity verification, Hourly Payment Protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for a secure engagement.
The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.