[jphelps25]

I started studying for CPA last year and just received a passing score for my last exam today.

About a month ago during one of my conversations with the boss about someone else getting a raise, the boss mentioned that my salary will be the same as that employee after I become CPA. I’m not sure if he’s serious or not.

Anyway, I am wondering if I should tell my boss that I passed and ask for a raise. Currently I only have 121 college credits, so it will take me a long time to get the extra 29 hours for license, probably 2 years with a full time job.

So if you are an employer, will you give your employee a raise after he/she passes the exam or wait until he/she become licensed?

[Lindrobe]

My boss would laugh at me if I asked for a raise. I will have my license right away cause I have already met the experience requirements. I know that I will not be getting anything more in my current position once licensed. In my experience, seems like you need to change jobs/positions to get more money. Never hurts to try though.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

My boss would laugh at me if I asked for a raise. I will have my license right away cause I have already met the experience requirements. I know that I will not be getting anything more in my current position once licensed. In my experience, seems like you need to change jobs/positions to get more money. Never hurts to try though.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[mla1169]

It can't hurt to ask but I think your boss meant after you are a licensed CPA. Unfortunately there's no value added to the company for your having passed all 4. Congratulations on getting the most hellish part out of the way!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

It can't hurt to ask but I think your boss meant after you are a licensed CPA. Unfortunately there's no value added to the company for your having passed all 4. Congratulations on getting the most hellish part out of the way!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Hey the good thing is that he's pretty much indicated that you will get a raise (whether now or later).

I'd 100% approach him. Mention you've just passed the final CPA exam section which shows you are now more competent and marketable – and ask if your department would consider giving you a raise. Don't even mention the credits/license timeline thing – it's not relevant unless he asks – and that would give him an easy (and IMO unfair) out.

‘Unfortunately there's no value added to the company for your having passed all 4.'

Don't completely understand this. There is not value to a private company if you get licensed either (unless you are in a manager role – where perception can start to mean more). Companies tend to encourage employees to work on professional certifications so that they are working on continually improving themselves and their knowledge/usefulness – so that they can be trusted with more difficult/complex work and NOT so that all their staff accountants can have ‘CPA' in their email signatures.

[Anonymous]

Hey the good thing is that he's pretty much indicated that you will get a raise (whether now or later).

I'd 100% approach him. Mention you've just passed the final CPA exam section which shows you are now more competent and marketable – and ask if your department would consider giving you a raise. Don't even mention the credits/license timeline thing – it's not relevant unless he asks – and that would give him an easy (and IMO unfair) out.

‘Unfortunately there's no value added to the company for your having passed all 4.'

Don't completely understand this. There is not value to a private company if you get licensed either (unless you are in a manager role – where perception can start to mean more). Companies tend to encourage employees to work on professional certifications so that they are working on continually improving themselves and their knowledge/usefulness – so that they can be trusted with more difficult/complex work and NOT so that all their staff accountants can have ‘CPA' in their email signatures.

[ipasscpa]

I started to work in private when I was at my last exam. By the time I got my final scores, they were doing the evaluations and obviously I had none becuase I just started with the comapny. I passed my last part and they gave me a raise because of this exam. Passing the exam definately makes the difference but I will be little hesitant to go up and price my self. Let them see this through your work. Also, wait until your evaluations are being done and thats where you can talk about this. overall, it all depend how are the people you work with. Good luck

CPA- VA

[ipasscpa]

I started to work in private when I was at my last exam. By the time I got my final scores, they were doing the evaluations and obviously I had none becuase I just started with the comapny. I passed my last part and they gave me a raise because of this exam. Passing the exam definately makes the difference but I will be little hesitant to go up and price my self. Let them see this through your work. Also, wait until your evaluations are being done and thats where you can talk about this. overall, it all depend how are the people you work with. Good luck

CPA- VA

[mla1169]

I didn't realize the OP worked for a private company, but even so there is much value added in industry for having a licensed CPA on staff which is exactly why so many job postings state that as a prerequisite. Most publicly traded companies have at least a few CPA's that are employed by them and many smaller companies prefer the license designation so as to outsource less, or nothing at all to an external firm.

Passing all 4 is a fabulous accomplishment but if the license is still 2+ years off, its not a great negotiating tool.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I didn't realize the OP worked for a private company, but even so there is much value added in industry for having a licensed CPA on staff which is exactly why so many job postings state that as a prerequisite. Most publicly traded companies have at least a few CPA's that are employed by them and many smaller companies prefer the license designation so as to outsource less, or nothing at all to an external firm.

Passing all 4 is a fabulous accomplishment but if the license is still 2+ years off, its not a great negotiating tool.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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