[CPA50]

Hiya Ninjas!

I need some expert thinking outside the box. I have a situation which I hope isn’t totally unique, but I’m really struggling with it.

Here goes…I’m 50, yup, 50! I have passed 2 exams and will defeat the other two in 2015.

I have worked for myself for 14+ years, and now I find myself stuck for the 2000+ hours needed for licensure. I am trying to find a job working for a CPA, but at 50 it’s tough out there.

I have been told that I need to be an unpaid intern (not an option – I have bills to pay!), or that I have to make the lowest salary because they are “giving” me my hours.

I’ve started looking at private companies who may have a CPA on staff. A CPA friend of mine told me that she did this, and then found out that the people who called themselves CPAs in private companies many times didn’t actually have the license, they just had passed the exams and used the designation (grrrrr). She only found out when they refused to sign off on her hours – guess the lesson there is to always check the state boards!

That being said, I am a CFE and have been doing fraud and forensic work as well as being a contract corporate controller. I’m afraid most places feel I’m too senior/old/expensive.

What do I do, Ninjas?? Any ideas are most welcome!!

AUD - 80
BEC - 77
FAR - 80
REG - 80

3 years

+ 16 tests

+ 2 expired sections

= DONE FOREVER!

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...