[Anonymous]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum. I am currently studying for the CPA exam. I am in my mid-30s and have a good paying job in the IT industry in operations management, which has nothing to do with accounting. I would like to become a licensed CPA which requires fulfilling 1 year of general experience in my state (CA), but would like to do it part time since I’d like to keep my current job. Are there anyone out here who were successful to find a part time accounting job for general experience while working a full time job? My flexible schedule allows me to get off work early to do so. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks!

[Pete]

California has a two tiered structure (just checked and it did)? One that requires experience and the other, which doesn't. Unless you're planning to work in a CPA firm, why not just get the non-practicing certificate. You can still call yourself a CPA on letterhead (at least in my state) and generally use the same title. The only real difference is that you can't actually sign documents. If you're working in the IT field, you won't need to sign financial statement audits anyways.

If you want to work in a CPA firm, the practicing CPA might hold more value; however, you can always get that later on, if it's desired. Also, the license typically requires x amount of total time, so you will likely need to work this part time for a much longer length of time.

The other thing to consider is cost. The practicing license is usually twice as expensive as the non-practicing license. If you're working in IT, they likely won't pay for it, neither will a part time position. Even worse, you'll likely be shelling out over $1,000 in CPE classes every year to maintain said license. Each class cost $300 and grants 3 credits (it actually runs more than that, I think). Even if you need 20 credits a year (think you need 30-40), that's still $2,100/year, which I doubt and IT company would pay for. Again, paying that amount doesn't make sense, unless you're planning to sign off on financial statement audits. If I were in IT and planning to stay in that field, I would merely go for the certificate.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Missy]

Cpe doesn't need to be a fraction of that cost. There are providers like cpe depot that give unlimited cpe credit for less than $200 total.

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

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your input. I wasn't aware that California had a two tiered structure? I thought it was either you are a licensed CPA, or not? My goal is to eventually become a full time CPA in my later years. However, with lots of things happening in my life right now, leaving my current non-accounting job for an entry level accounting job would be a huge pay cut. And so the only way I can think of making this work is by working part time in a CPA office while I keep my current job. I'd love to hear anyone with similar experiences. Thanks.

[Missy]

If you happen to have a Masters degree you can get a license in MA without having worked under a CPA (its a non reporting license but its not distinguishable in any way from another MA cpa license). If you're not going into audit or tax anyway you might want to consider looking into the qualifications in other states.

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

[Pete]

Are you looking to go into audit or tax? You can sign off as a tax preparer with the “non-practicing license” as long as you have a PTIN (look at H&R Block-people there haven't even passed the exam). The problem comes in when you want to sign audit documentation. In addition, firms can't have the CPA title or do audit work if a certain percentage of partners aren't CPA's (i'm probably off, but it's something along these lines); this means, most firms won't promote you past a certain level (usually senior), unless you're a practicing/licensed CPA.

Even if the CPE's are free, they still take up a lot of time; they typically require you to keep clicking yes, or some box, so that you can't go in the other room, while the videos run. I'm not sure if the non-reporting license even requires CPE's though? Probably depends on the state.

In any event, you might as well get the non-reporting license and then upgrade it in the future, so you don't have to wait for the experience. This way, you can call yourself a CPA, right away.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[ultrarunner]

Ratfus, are you talking about non-public accounting or something else? Even non-public accounting certificate requires 1-year general experience under the supervision of active CPA as far as I know. I got panicked when my supervisor became inactive for a short time.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

Hello ratfus,

When you say non-reporting license, are you talking about the license that is able to do everything except sign off attest engagements? I thought you still needed the 1 year general experience for that also?

My ultimate goal is to be able to be a full fledged CPA ,with the ability to sign reports on attest engagements. I reside in Los Angeles, and a lot of people that I know who works in accounting said it wouldn't be hard to find a an entry level job once I pass the CPA exam with the current job market. But now thinking about having a family and all, I can't afford completely switching over to an entry level accounting job, since I will be getting paid much less than half of what I make right now.

[Pete]

Yea, there are typically two levels of licenses; my state has two levels as well. One license can do everything (signing reports, etc.). Then, there is another license for people in academia or unrelated fields, who merely wish to put the CPA letters after their name (non-reporting CPA).

I read on a website that the second type of license generally didn't require the working under a CPA experience. I've talked to a few people in academia, who've never worked under a CPA and still have the CPA license. I think they have this non-signing/reporting license.

I just checked my state's website and the requirements for this non-reporting CPA license/certificate entail the 150 credit hours and the bachelor's degree. I don't think you need the experience for this, within my state.

Each state is likely different though. Logically, it would make sense to have this tier of license for someone in academia or and unrelated field, who wouldn't meet the experience requirements.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[thelatebloomer]

@Bluesky36: I'm in a similar position myself. I work in operations management and I'm ready for a career change because my job is essentially an HR position and it's less than rewarding. However, it pays pretty well and I would likely take a big pay cut in order to obtain experience. My focus has been to pass the CPA exam, and then jump ship when I find the right opportunity. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I could pull off a part-time job in addition until at least I've finished with the exam, but it's an intriguing idea. I should probably be getting myself into interviews ASAP so I have enough time to land the right option. It might have to be a “take 1 step back so you can take 2 steps forward” type of thing. Once you obtain the license, it's not a given, but your options will open up quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

@thelatebloomer,

I guess we are in the same boat =)
I'm planning to pass my CPA exams first before I work part time at a CPA office. Studying the CPA exam while working full time, and then working part time at a CPA office would be too much pressure for me. Well, please keep in touch and keep me in the loop on how things work out for you.

[Author]

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