What roles, standards, and financial measures support accounting?

"A certified management accountant (CMA) is a managerial accountant who has completed a professional certification program, including passing an examination. A certified public accountant (CPA) is an accountant who has completed an approved bachelor’s degree program, passed a test prepared by the American Institute of CPAs, and met state requirements. Only a CPA can issue an auditor’s opinion on a firm’s financial statements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the private organization that is responsible for establishing financial accounting standards in the United States. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are the financial accounting standards followed by accountants in the United States when preparing financial statements. Cost of goods sold is the total expense of buying or producing a firm’s goods or services. Expenses are the costs of generating revenues. Gross sales are the total dollar amount of a company’s sales. Gross profit is the amount a company earns after paying to produce or buy its products but before deducting operating expenses."