Certified public accountant;

              HASKINS & SELLS
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCO
CHICAGO BULLETIN LOS ANGELES
PHILADELPHIA NEW ORLEANS
DETROIT SEATTLE
ST. LOUIS DENVER
BOSTON ATLANTA
CLEVELAND WATERTOWN
BALTIMORE LONDON
PITTSBURGH SHANGHAI
VOL. III N E W Y O R K , F E B R U A R Y 15, 1920 No. 2
The Certified Public Accountant
IT is still possible to have some otherwise
enlightened person ask bluntly: "What
is a certified public accountant?" There are
many who do not know the difference be­tween
a certified public accountant and a
chartered accountant. The field is full of
individuals and firms styling themselves
"Accountants and Auditors," "Public Ac­countants,"
"Auditors and Systematizers,"
"Efficiency Accountants," "Engineer-Ac­countants,"
"Cost Accountants," "Account­ants
and Industrial Engineers," etc. A ll
of which raises the question: "Why
cherish the title of 'certified public account­ant'
and take pride therein?"
The profession was first recognized in
this country when, in 1896, New York
state, by enactment of the Legislature, did
so. The purpose was as much to protect
the public as to elevate the vocation of a
comparatively few men to the dignity of a
profession. It was to make those who
might in the future wish to serve the public
in accounting matters realize that some­thing
more than "hanging out a shingle" or
putting an advertisement in the newspapers
would be necessary. It was notice that edu­cation,
experience, integrity, standing in the
community, and conduct becoming a profes­sional
person would be required.
The act put upon the state the burden
of examining and investigating the quali­fications
of those who might aspire to
service in this field. The examinations in
New York have always been severe; the
experience requirements exacting; and the
investigation of the candidates searching.
A New York certified public accountant
has an enviable standing among his col­leagues
in the profession throughout the
country.
Most of the states have followed the
example of New York, some with laws
which perhaps are stronger, and in some
respects better than New York; others with
laws not so desirable. All have the same
purpose; that of recognizing the profession
of accountancy and putting it on a high
plane. The American Institute of Account­ants
as a national organization has been
an instrument which has made for great
value in helping along the cause of account­ancy.
There are doubtless some accountants
without the title of certified public account­ant
who are better accountants than some
who possess the title. Possession of the
title is not an absolute guarantee of ability
as an accountant. It is evidence that the
person in question has met the requirements
of the state. It is a recommendation to
those who seek the services of qualified ac­countants.
It is not improbable that the state will
some day surround and protect the pro-