Ace the AICPA Challenge 2026 – Master Your CPA Journey with Confidence!

The AICPA's core competencies for CPAs focus on essential skills that support the professional responsibilities and functions of accountants. Among these, technical accounting skills encompass the knowledge of accounting standards, regulations, and practices necessary for the preparation and analysis of financial statements. Analytical skills are crucial for evaluating financial information, identifying trends, and making informed decisions based on data. Communication skills are vital as CPAs often need to convey complex financial information clearly and effectively to clients and stakeholders.

While marketing skills are important in the context of promoting a practice or engaging with clients, they do not fall under the core competencies outlined by the AICPA. The core competencies emphasize skills more directly related to accounting, finance, and the effective management of information, rather than sales or marketing strategies. Thus, marketing skills are not considered a fundamental competency for CPAs according to AICPA guidelines.