[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone! I am about to apply for a business analyst position for a financial services company. The role as described in the job posting is mainly technical and I am qualified based on my experience (in the eyes of the hiring manager who knows).

From the job description I would not be doing any direct accounting or auditing aside from some SOX compliance testing.

There is no requirement or preference for a CPA or for holders of any certification.

Would folks recommend that I include that I passed all sections in my resume/cover letter OR just leave it out and solely focus on related experiences/accomplishments.

Thanks.

[Minimorty]

I would put it in your cover letter and talk about it in your interview, but I would not put it on your resume. I'm sure there will be a number of people on here who say you should put it on your resume, but I disagree. Passing the exams shows that you have met one of the requirements for the CPA license, but you still have not been licensed. Until you are licensed, I dont think you should put it on your resume.

By the way, what sort of stuff will you be doing and what kind of company will you be working for? Financial services is pretty broad, just wondering if you knew specifically what they do. Good luck with the interview!

[Anonymous]

I think it is good that you put it in, since having a cpa certificate will be very helpful to finance/business analysis as well I think. I would put it (cpa certificate) both on resume and cover letter. just make a note that you are not licensed yet.

Did you just pass all four sections, have u applied for a certificate yet?? however, different states have different requirements on cpa certificate, might check with your state board but I think even though you are not licensed, it is good to put it on your resume and cover letter that you passed the exam.

🙂

[porschify]

I agree with just putting it on the cover letter. This way you can explain that you are not a CPA yet, but are fulfilling the requirements to be one. The only thing I would put on the resume is that your a pursuing CPA certification. I would not want an outside party to see that you passed a section and then have them believe that you are a licensed CPA because they do not understand what the requirements are to be licensed.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the replies.

I completed all four parts of the exam and my state does not issue certificates without experience.

On resumes for accounting/auditing jobs, I have written “Candidate for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant”

The role mainly supports the company-wide business functions, specifically their systems applications. I would be involved in the implementation, support and change control of these functions as well as certain compliance (internal and external -SOX) functions.

The company is involved in securities clearing and settlement.

[mla1169]

Originally I was with Minis train of thought to leave it off resume, but for the 2 interviews I've had since passing all 4 parts, both employers have said I should have put it on my resume and when I asked on this board I was advised that if you'd passed 1-3 parts leave it off the resume but when its all 4 put it on.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[FrenchToast]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I see no reason not to include that you passed all four sections of the exam on your resume. Hell, I included that I've passed two and have scheduled dates for thr remaining two. Why would I not want an employer to recognize my progress towards such an accomplishment? Studying for, and passing, this exam takes a lot! Most hiring managers I've encountered are aware of this, and it seems to be only a value-adding part on a resume. If I'm missing something here, then please cluue me in.

[Anonymous]

If you are interested in actually getting the CPA certificate (not lthe CPA icense) you can apply to another state that offers that and you otherwise qualify. See if you qualify. There are several states which are two-tier. Illinois is one of them. You don't have to be a resident of IL, but you do have to have 150 hours of education and have the ethics exam requirement done too.

[J.P.]

You have about 3 months to do that in Illinois as they are moving away from the two tier system on July 1. I have been told you need to have everything completed and in to the state by 3/31 to be grandfathered in.

BEC - 11/25/08-61, 8/31/09-76*, 2/24/12-76
AUD - 2/21/09-53, 8/31/10-60, 11/30/11-83
REG - 11/30/09-68, 5/31/12-79
FAR - 8/29/11-81

IL Ethics - 93

*Lost to 18-month Rule

[Herbieherb]

This is what I did and would still do… Resume/Coverletter

all parts passed within 18 months – YES/YES

parts passed, credits expired – NO/NO

1-3 parts passed credit unexpired – NO/YES

Parts scheduled/results pending/no parts passed – NO/YES

Exam scores – NO/NO

Different strokes for different folks!

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

@herbie Damn, seems like an MCQ. I hope it doesn't appear on my FAR exam because I'd be confused.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I actually decided to leave it off my cover letter and resume entirely in this case. I will bring it up during an interview if I feel it is relevant.

[Author]

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