When Do You Need a Notary and When Is a CPA Enough?

Apr 20
1 min read

Updated: Apr 20

When it comes to starting a business, managing your taxes, or handling legal documents, many people wonder:

Do I need a notary, or is a certified public accountant (CPA) enough? While both professionals play key roles in different processes, knowing who to turn to—and when—can save you time, money, and stress.

When Is a CPA Enough?

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is your go-to expert for:

Income tax filings (IRS, sales tax, annual returns, etc.)
Monthly bookkeeping and financial reports
Payroll setup and employee management
IRS registration and tax structure selection
Electronic invoicing and expense tracking
Financial analysis and strategic planning
Representation during audits or IRS reviews

In short, your CPA keeps your financials in order, ensures tax compliance, and helps you make smart business decisions.

When Do You Need a Notary?

A notary public is required when you need to legally certify and give public validity to important legal acts, such as:

Company formations or changes to corporate bylaws
Real estate transactions (buying/selling property)
Wills, inheritances, and legal testaments
Granting power of attorney
Legalization of business meeting minutes

A notary ensures your documents are fully recognized and legally binding.

What If You Need Both?

In many cases, the best solution is to have both services working together. At ISTAXPRO, we make it easy by offering accounting, financial consulting, notarial services, and legal representation—all in one place. No need to coordinate between offices—we handle it all for you.