Everything You Need to Know About Accounting NAICS Codes

By: Crystal Miller

NAICS stands for the North American Industry Classification System. It is an economic classification system used by the US government to track economic activity. NAICS codes are used to classify businesses into different categories based on their primary type of activity.

What is a NAICS Code?

  • NAICS is a system that classifies and categorizes businesses in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

  • The US Census Bureau uses it to categorize businesses into industries based on their size, product, service, and other traits.

  • It is helpful for businesses to identify which industries they should compete in and to understand the competitive landscape.

Accounting NAICS Codes

Understanding and correctly assigning NAICS codes is important for businesses, particularly those in the accounting and bookkeeping service industry. NAICS codes define the business type and are used by the government, regulators, and analysts to measure and evaluate business size and scope.

NAICS codes determine fees for taxes and services, as well as eligibility for loan programs for businesses. It's important to assign the correct NAICS code to businesses for accurate categorization and to benefit from tax and loan opportunities.

Examples of Accounting NAICS Codes

Here are just a few examples of accounting NAICS codes:

1. 541211: Offices of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)

2. 541214: Tax Preparation Services

3. 541219: Other Accounting Services

4. 541213: Payroll Services

5. 541216: Accountants and Bookkeepers (Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis)

The specific examples of Accounting NAICS Codes mentioned are 541211, 541214, 541219, 541213, and 541216. Each code represents a specific subset within the broader accounting industry. For instance, code 541211 is designated for offices of certified public accountants (CPAs), while 541214 is for tax preparation services. Code 541213 is for payroll services, and 541216 is for accountants and bookkeepers who do financial statement preparation and analysis.

By utilizing these codes, businesses and organizations can easily identify and differentiate accounting firms based on the specific services they offer. This classification system allows for more accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting, aiding in market research, industry studies, and economic analysis. These codes help government agencies track industry trends, allocate resources, and enforce accounting regulations.

These codes help businesses classify their type of business, analyze competition, and check if they qualify for loans or tax benefits. Assigning the right NAICS code is crucial for businesses to be categorized correctly and benefit from suitable opportunities.

Conclusion

  • NAICS codes are essential for businesses to understand the competitive landscape and to accurately categorize their type of business.

  • Accounting NAICS codes are used to classify businesses that provide accounting and bookkeeping services.

  • Examples of accounting NAICS codes include 541211, 541214, 541219, 541213, and 541216.

Businesses must assign correct NAICS codes to ensure proper categorization and benefit from appropriate tax and loan opportunities. It is important for businesses to know and use the correct NAICS code. This helps them gain an advantage and accurately determine their size and reach. Businesses can use these codes to distinguish between accounting firms based on the services they offer. This leads to improved data collection, analysis, and reporting.

More information about NAICS codes can be found at:
US Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/naics/
NAICS
Association:  https://www.naics.com/search/
US
Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm