ACAT Accreditation
A standard for excellence, a committment to professional development.

Accreditation Council for Accounting and Taxation (ACAT)

The Accreditation Council is a non-profit, independent accreditation organization seeking to identify specialist in accountancy and federal taxation serving the financial needs of individuals and small businesses.  ACAT serves as a testing, accrediting and monitoring organization.

ACAT promotes and maintains the integrity of its accreditation programs for the benefit of professionals who have invested the time, resources and commitment to continuing professional development.  Further, ACAT seeks to assure clients that accredited professionals will provide the highest degree of specialized technical proficiency in small business and individual accounting and taxation services.

Accreditation in Accountancy

Accredited Business Accountant (ABA)

Designed to support the needs of small businesses and individual/family financial services, accountancy accreditation is obtained through examination.  The ACAT comprehensive accountancy exam tests technical proficiency of candidates in financial accounting, compilation services, managerial accounting, taxation, business law and ethics.  Emphasis is on a practical approach to professional accounting services required by small business entities.  National uniform examiniations are conducted twice a year, in May and December, and require significant preparation. 

Individuals holding Accreditation in Accountancy (Accredited Business Accountant)  must earn 120 hours of continuing professionl eduction every three years.  This meets or exceeds the recommended educational requirements of all state boards of accountancy.

Accreditation in Federal Taxation

Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP)

Through comprehensive, practical course work, enrollees are exposed to critical compliance issue, as well as the mechanics of preparing a variety of tax returns.  The Accredited Tax Preparer program provides the flexibility and confidence needed to prepare individual tax returns. 

Individuals must earn 90 hours of continuing education every three years.  This exceeds the educational requirements for those enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.

Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA)

This is a six-course, advanced program which focuses on the areas essential to an advisor's practice.  It prepares individuals to handle complex and sophisticated tax planning issues, including planning for owners of closely held businesses, planning for the highly compensated, choosing qualified retirement plans, and performing estate planning.  Tax practice procedures and case studies are also covered.  This rigorous six-course program of study provides the scope of information necessary to effectively meet the needs of today's growing tax planning clientele.

Individuals must earn 90 hours of continuing education every three years.  This exceeds the educational requirements for those enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.

ACAT's  Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct are among the highest standards of practice in the financial and taxation professions.   Compliance with this standard of professional integrity is required of all those with accreditation.

For more information, phone ACAT at 703-549-2228, ext. 1341, FAX to 703-549-2984, or see ACAT's web site at http://www.acatcredentials.org.