[Anonymous]

Title kind of says it all. I live in a small town and have been self employed in a completely different industry for the past 14 years. I want to change because I’m tired of the daily rat race of finding clients. But this DOES make it challenging to say the least. Any tips or suggestions for getting work under a CPA so I can complete my “experience” requirements for my license? And does experience HAVE to be working as a public accountant as long as you were working for someone in finance and accounting who was a CPA?

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the state. Here in MN, you don't need to be supervised by a CPA, all you need is a licensed CPA willing to put their reputation on the line for you. I have never worked in public accounting, and my experience was enough to be certified. Your mileage may vary, however.

[Anonymous]

Any tips or suggestions for getting work under a CPA so I can complete my “experience” requirements for my license?

I don't want to come across as callous, but move to (or near) a bigger city. Not too many small towns need CPAs. The ones that do probably already have one.

And does experience HAVE to be working as a public accountant as long as you were working for someone in finance and accounting who was a CPA?

As previously stated, it depends on the state.

[fuzyfro89]

Many, NOT all, states require your experience to be signed by a current licensed CPA in order to accept your application for licensure.

Check the state board's website. It will tell you. If it's still unclear, call them.

As far as getting work, that's tough. It's one thing if you worked in a related finance/acct position, but you didnt. There simply isn't a huge need for CPAs outside of corporate finance/corporate accounting. I don't know what you mean by “small town”, so I'm guessing a bit here, but likely you'll be looking for work in a small office that does small business and personal tax stuff and perhaps some bookkeeping and other similar work. What exactly are you asking here? WHat have you tried so far as getting a job works? Not sure what your goal is, so hard to say what could come next.

Obviously, a larger metro will have more jobs, but that all depends on your goals and what you want out of career/life.

[Anonymous]

unfortunately, moving is not an option due to family considerations. 🙂 Small town is around 60k (ok not TINY but I grew up in New York, Milan and DC!) I dont mind working for a small firm, doing bookkeeping or frankly whatever it is I need to do to get the license…

I'm in Virginia and the state board says:

Prior to applying for a license, an individual must have been employed in academia, a firm, government, or industry in any capacity involving the substantial use of accounting, financial, tax, or other skills that are relevant, as determined by the VBOA, to providing services to the public using the CPA title or to an employer using the CPA title for a period that is the full-time equivalent of one year. Whether other skills are relevant shall be determined by the VBOA on a case-by-case basis. Self-employment does not meet the definition of experience in accordance with § 54.1-4400, Code of Virginia.

SO it looks like my private accounting/finance work would NOT qualify since it was not providing service to the public? But then why do they say work in industry, academia, etc…?

[Allergic2CPA]

@Allegra

Read carefully as it states…

to providing services to the public using the CPA title OR TO AN EMPLOYER…

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Anonymous]

But I CANT use CPA title until I have experience? seems very circular to me. Ill have to call them I guess…

[Allergic2CPA]

@Allegra

I think their emphasizing that you did the duties just as if they were undertaken by a CPA.

I worked in an entry level accounting position at a University. Granted I got licensed in Texas and not Virginia. I had to submit an experience form and a “Statement of Experience” detailing my duties. I presume you have to do something similar.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Anonymous]

My experience was very corporate – helping design and implement SAP system in Fortune 5 company, then ran finance division for a major retailer (accounts payable, sales accounting, tax accounting)… so yeah, not really CPA work. sigh.

[Allergic2CPA]

@Allegra

I think your over thinking or paranoid. I would be shocked if your experience isn't valid.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Anonymous]

Allegra-

You can not use the CPA title until you are licensed as one. They take this very seriously.

Also, many (if not all) states restrict the use of similar terms such as PA, public accountant, certified accountant, etc.

[Author]

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