[roruss2k8]

Hi all,

I work and live in New York City (Queens) and I’m taking BEC this January 2015 (last part I need to pass). When I pass all four parts of the exam, I would still need one year of work experience under a CPA to be certified in New York. An alternative would be to apply for Massachusetts non-reporting CPA instead of waiting to get the one year experience for New York ( https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/faqs.html#c02 ).

I’m an Enrolled Agent with a Master in Taxation and have a tax practice in New York. I decided to become a CPA for potential opportunities to expand of my practice and also CPAs are significantly more recognized than EA even for tax purposes. I’m too busy during tax season (Feb to Apr) to get a full time job under a CPA. I hoping to get part-time work under a CPA during off tax season but this could be a challenge and take a while. The final goal is a New York CPA so when I do get the one year work experience I’ll transfer my CPA under New York if I get the MA non-reporting CPA.

My concerns based on my understanding are:

– I will not be able to practice in New York since I live and work in New York without a New York CPA license. The substantial equivalency concept does not apply. My tax practice only provides income tax preparation and bookkeeping services which I don’t believe is a conflict.

-I’ll be able to say I’m a CPA and also put CPA on my business cards (https://www.nysscpa.org/trustedprof/408/tp3.htm cites “Ibanez v. State of Florida Board of Accountancy”).

-I’m not sure whether getting a part-time job under a CPA would be hard or easier with a MA non-reporting CPA.

Any feedback is appreciate,

Thank you,

Russell

REG 81 Nov2013
FAR 81 Oct2014
AUD 51 May2014, 71 Aug2014, 91 Nov2014
BEC ?? Jan2015

[mla1169]

I would think as long as you're only using the CPA for marketing your business but signing tax returns with your EA designation (particularly the NYS returns) you'd be fine.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[roruss2k8]

Hi mil1169,

I see that you have a Massachusetts CPA (non reporting). What is your experiences with the non reporting? Have you encountered any limitation with it?

Thank you for commenting,

Russell

REG 81 Nov2013
FAR 81 Oct2014
AUD 51 May2014, 71 Aug2014, 91 Nov2014
BEC ?? Jan2015

[mla1169]

I'm a MA resident and work in industry. The only limitation I've run into is certain industry jobs prefer big 4 experience which I don't have. Fortunately I've got over 20 years accounting experience and that works in my favor.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

related question, so what if i get non reporting MA license, can i still put cpa on my resume when applying to jobs?

[mla1169]

The non reporting license is a real CPA license. If you look up a licensee it's no different. I don't even need to disclose it's non reporting unless someone asks me to do an attest engagement which obviously would never come up in industry. If you live out of state I'd disclose it's a mass license because you wouldn't be found if someone tried to verify your license in another state.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[stcloud25]

Hello, I am in the same boat. I am an EA with a Master's Degree in Public Administration. I have the required business and accounting credits but I lack the experience. I reside in NY. Do i still qualify for a non reporting MA license?

[Tncincy]

@mia1169 and other ninja's I think this is a good conversation, because many do not have the experience requirements and might not have the time or resources to find a cpa to work under to get the appropriate experience signature. The advice is very good (in my opinion) for some reason non-reporting cpa is held out as not valid until you can report. So I appreciate the clarity. I live in a reciprocal state, although I have been in tax and bookkeeping for over 20 years I was wondering if I had to do the same experience situation to become active in my state, or license in KY to be active in TN. (of course I will research further the TN requirements, but yet a concern for me)

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Missy]

There are two ways to get licensed in MA. One is to actually work in audit or a supervised position the board deems equivalent or to have a master's degree. It's not a shortcut by any means unless you happen to have your master's already. I've never run into anyone who expected me to gain a reporting license or questioned my license.Non reporting only means you can't sign an audit opinion nothing else. The license is exactly the same.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[allstr921]

I live in NY and work in CT. I just got my NTS under massachusetts, taking my first exam at end of April. I decided to go that root because I already have my mba and undergrad in accounting so meet the education requirements for the non-reporting license and dont work under a CPA currently. I plan to get my non-reporting CPA license and than eventually my next role will probably be under a CPA and get my experience and than apply for a CPA license in either CT or NY depending on where that new role is located. Seems like a good plan, hope it works out

[Author]

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