[WendyW]

So, I became a CPA just so that I could write “, CPA” after my name. I have no interest in actually working as an accountant.

The state I am currently licensed in requires 80 hours of CPE every two years (i.e. 40 hours per year).

I’m thinking about trying to become a Wisconsin CPA instead, in order to avoid CPE entirely.

(I believe Wisconsin is the only state with no continuing professional education requirement?)

Does this sound like a good plan, or a bad plan? Any caveats?

FAR 66 FAIL Feb 2015
FAR 79 PASS May 2015
BEC 89 PASS Aug 2015
AUD 83 PASS Nov 2015
REG 76 PASS Feb 2016

Applying for non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license

[jbergmann1]

Why exactly do you want to be a CPA if you don't want to be an accountant? Just something to think about…

Passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam!
License application in progress

[WendyW]

So that I could write “CPA” after my name, as I explained in the first sentence of my post.

If you'd like to discuss that topic, feel free to create a separate discussion thread.

FAR 66 FAIL Feb 2015
FAR 79 PASS May 2015
BEC 89 PASS Aug 2015
AUD 83 PASS Nov 2015
REG 76 PASS Feb 2016

Applying for non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license

[jbergmann1]

Then I guess be a Wisconsin CPA if all you want is letters.

Passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam!
License application in progress

[jbergmann1]

And P.SO. it sounds like an awfulike plan because you won't be taking any CPE to be current with laws and other guidance.

Passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam!
License application in progress

[Missy]

But you have to meet all of their current licensing requirements to transfer a license from another state https://dsps.wi.gov/Licenses-Permits/CPA/CPAlicense

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

[WendyW]

I work in finance, where the CPA designation is recognized and respected.

Embarking on a career in accounting wouldn't make sense for me at this point.

FAR 66 FAIL Feb 2015
FAR 79 PASS May 2015
BEC 89 PASS Aug 2015
AUD 83 PASS Nov 2015
REG 76 PASS Feb 2016

Applying for non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license

[Skynet]

I always thought that in Wisconsin, attending 1 Packers game will satisfy the CPE requirements for the year.

[sulaiman]

Check Guam board

[WendyW]

Guam huh? Thanks, I'll look into that one.

FAR 66 FAIL Feb 2015
FAR 79 PASS May 2015
BEC 89 PASS Aug 2015
AUD 83 PASS Nov 2015
REG 76 PASS Feb 2016

Applying for non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't switch to a different state to avoid CPE, for 2 reasons:
1. States seem to be gradually standardizing their requirements, so in all likelihood, soon they'll require it.
2. CPE really isn't that hard. 40 hours a year isn't a problem at all. It's not a big enough issue to be worth being licensed somewhere other than where you live. That is presuming online/self-study is accepted in your state; having to go to conferences for a week ever year would be annoying.

However, to each his own.

[Anonymous]

I think it's hard to avoid CPE if you want to use CPA after your name. Two reasons:
1. If you give up your current state license (I am assuming your current state requires CPE), you can't put CPA after your name with Wisconsin license unless you move to Wisconsin.
2. If you get reciprocal Wisconsin license, you still have to do CPE for your current state license.
so I don't see how you can work around it.

[WendyW]

Thank you Lilla and cleverfairy; this is this kind of thoughtful feedback I wad hoping to receive.

FAR 66 FAIL Feb 2015
FAR 79 PASS May 2015
BEC 89 PASS Aug 2015
AUD 83 PASS Nov 2015
REG 76 PASS Feb 2016

Applying for non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license

[Track55]

Because of my birthday, I have a year and a half to do 40 hours. Yay!

Honestly, you could 40 hours falling out of a tree. It's one video a week you have to watch.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[njvath]

What about going inactive in your current state? Is that an option?

FAR - 76
AUD - 74, 74
BEC - 83
REG - TBD

[Author]

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