Final answer:
True, independent accountants serving on a fee basis are called public accountants, offering services like auditing and tax planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: Independent accountants who provide their services to organizations and individuals on a fee basis are indeed called public accountants. Public accountants offer a range of services including auditing, tax preparation and planning, consulting, and other accounting-related services. These professionals can work for public accounting firms or operate their own independent practices. They are distinct from management accountants, who are typically employed directly by the companies for which they work, and from government accountants, who work for government agencies.