[Anonymous]

From the MA website:

With 150 credits, you need one year of public accounting experience for a full reporting license and the CPA experience must include 1000 hours of report (attest) experience as defined in these sections. With a graduate degree in accounting, business, or law, no experience is required for certification/licensure, but the candidate can only apply for the non reporting license.

Does anyone know what counts as graduate degree in “business?” Is this an MBA or could it be say a Masters in Finance or Masters in Business Analytics, etc?

Just trying to see what my options are. I would like to apply for an MBA program, just not sure if the cost and extra credits are worth it. I think MAcc/MSA isn’t worth it because I already have a BS in Accounting.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

Depends on the state. In my state, an MBA wouldn't count but from what you said above it sounds like MA has a different set of rules. When in doubt, email your board and ask. And save that email and keep it handy just in-case you need it later.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Missy]

It's not worth the cost and time to just be able to waive the experience requirements. I was almost done with my master's in accounting when I decided to take the cpa so it was a no brainer for me to do the non reporting license. Get the attest experience if you can. But an mba would count.

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

[Anonymous]

I ended doing a 4+1 program at my school in order to get the 150 credits. Almost everyone in the accounting program went this route in order to work for a big four. I choose MSA and it ended up being 8 more classes (I got 8-10 classes waived since I went to undergrad at the same school) to get the master degree and credits. It wasn't bad at all, thought it was no brainer. You can do MSA, MST, MBA, etc… I agree with the others that its not worth the cost to just waive the experience requirement. Do you have the 150 credits? If so, I wouldn't bother going into a graduate program. Just get the experience!

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am wondering if after I apply for non reporting license, I decide to get audit experience. Is it possible for me to converse from non-reporting to reporting license in MA?

Thanks!

[Missy]

Yes, once you meet the experience requirement you can request a full reporting license.

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

[Anonymous]

That's awesome!! thank you!

[Author]

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