The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-05
The Public Accountant.


Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The question is frequently asked the
writer, what is Certified Public Accountant?
If you will permit | will try to answer briefly,
through your columns.
The public Accountant" a monthly publ.
cation devoted to the interests of accountants
auditors and bookkecpers recently asked through
its columns the question, "What is a public
accountant and received and published num-
ber of replies from the best accountants of the
United States. The following are some Of the
answers:
"A public accountant is one engaged pro-
fessionally in the practice of accountancy. The
term accountancy being understood to cover all
forms of Investigations OF accounts, for the de-
termination Of financial conditions, detection Of
frauds prevention thereof or for whatever
purpose data obtained from accounts may be re-
Quircd."
"The public accountant is the consulting ply
sician of finance and commerce. He understands
the anatomy and physiology Of business and the
rules of health of corporations, partnerships
and individual enterprises. He diagnoses abnor-
NAL conditions, and suggests approved remedies
His study and interest is the soundness of the
world of affairs"
'An expert specially in matters OF account
Keeping an Office open at call of public men,
being paid for time occupied, not being a sal
aried bookkecper, having some recognized pro.
many years on his account or in the office OF an.
other expert"
Zone qualified by training and experience in
the science and practice OF accounting; who
originates systems of accounts adapted to special
lines of business; who examines, critically, the
accounts of corporations and others to verify
their correctness or to detect errors or fraud I;
and who advises on matters of accountancy."
"a disinterested adviser of the business man.
One who can warn him of his dangers and pro.
tcct his interests"
have made several quotations to show that
there are many points of view of this large
subject which brings in what public account.
ant is and what his duties are
A few days ago the writer in answer to the
questions OF a person whom he had known for
some time remarked that the duties of a pub.
lie accountant required him to be of assistance
TO merchants manufacturers, bankers, build
ing and loan associations, insurance companies
individuals, partnerships and all kinds of corpora
tions. The person referred to replied, "That is
large field" He was exactly right.
Now We have some definitions of a public
account. What is Certified Public Accountant
In brief, he is public accountant who holds
certificate signed by the governor Of the state
setting forth that he has successfully passed
an examination before the state board of ex.
aminers. Laws have been passed by three of
the states, namely, New York, Pennsylvania and
Maryland, recognizing the profession OF Certified
Public Accountant. These laws have been
placed on the statute books quite recently Thus
New York Was the first in 1895 Pennsylvania
next in 1890 and Maryland in 1900.
The laws passed by these three states are
much alike. The following is an extract from
the law passed by Pennsylvania and approved by
the governor March 20, 1899:
"Scssion Of 1899. No. II. An Act to cstab.
lish board for the examination Of accountants,
to provide for the granting Of certificates TO ac.
countants, and 10 provide punishment for the
violation of this Act.
"Section l.-Be it enacted etc, That any
citizen Of the United States, residing or having
an office for the transaction Of business in the
state of Pennsylvania, being over the age OF
twcnty.one years and of good moral character,
and who shall have received from the governor
Of the state of Pennsylvania certificate of
qualification to practice as public expert
countant hereinafter provided shall be
signed and known as a Certified Public Acco'
ant and no other person shall assume such Il.
or use the abbrcviation c.. p. A., or any OF
words, letters or figures to indicate that "a
persons using the same is such Certified Public
Accountant. Every person holding such certi.
icste and every co-partncrship OF accounts, cv.
cry member of which shall hold such certih "a; es
may assume and use the title of Certified Public
Accountants, or the abbreviaton thereof G. L. A.
"Section 2.--The governor of the state Of
Pennsylvania shall appoint a board of five ex.
aminers for the examination OF persons apply
ing for certifcation under this Act. .
After one thousand eight hundred and ninety
nine, three examiners shall be Certified Public
Accountants, The other two examiners shall be
practicing attorneys in good standing in any
OF the courts of Pennsylvania. The cx.
animation for certificates shall be based upon
an examination in commercial law and general
accounting. ."
The board of examiners have adopted certain
rules. The following is a quotation from them
which gives an idea Of what Is required of the
applicant: "All examinations shall be written. I"
examinations will include questions on the fol-
lowing branches: Theory OF accounts, practical
accounting, auditing, commercial law" Gap.
plicants must complete all four subjects within
the time allotted for such examinations" ZAP
plicants must answer correctly at least 20 per
cent Of all the questions on each and every
subject in order to secure certificates"
Nearly all who have received certificates have
their offices in Philadelphia or Pittsburg, only
two or three have o.hccs in other places.
Very respectfully yours,
Edward c. Spaulding, O. P. A.
Scranton, Pa, June 4, 1900.