[RegenJoe]

I was convicted of 2nd degree felonious assault in Ohio, 10 years ago. I served 4 years in prison. After my release I became gainfully employed and began working on my degree in accounting. I have since graduated and would love to enter the world of public accounting. My plan is to get any accounting job I can, and begin to study for the CPA exam. There are many obstacles in my path; some I am aware of, many others I am not. Any advise would be appreciated. Are there any other professionals with a conviction prior to their position?

[san4596]

I believe your first step should be contacting the State Board to determine if they will even accept your application to sit for the CPA Exam. I do not know of anyone who has prior convictions in public accounting, but it's also not something that would be discussed around the coffee pot either.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Texan_Stuck_In_OK]

I seem to remember a thread a while back about having a DUI. Do call your state board. I think if you give full disclosure up front about your history, they will probably let you sit. The problem arises if they find out about the conviction on their own and they think you are trying to hide it. If your state board takes issue, then there are many states to choose from, all with different rules. Congrats on your new life path!

A 88, B 76, F 84, R 76 Passed 2014

Licensed in OK

[Anonymous]

I had a couple convictions when I first started the process. No felonies. Just a couple misdemeanors I picked up as a result of overindulging in my early college years. In Texas they don't play around with anything above a speeding ticket. It's been a while since I first applied to sit so I don't remember all the details but I had to send them a letter (or something similar) describing the offenses and then had to meet with some guy (that volunteered for the board) and convince him that I didn't have a drinking problem. I thought the entire process was pretty ridiculous but I understand they want to protect the profession. I would think that a felony would raise the stakes even more. Definitely disclose everything and don't put any more time into attaining the designation without getting confirmation from your board that you will be able to sit for the exam. All that said, I think as long as you don't have a long history of criminal activity or any convictions related to fraud or similar convictions there is a chance.

[Anonymous]

I'm a NY candidate, and I think having a felony here precludes you from a CPA license. I'm pretty sure that if you are also currently a CPA and you get convicted of a felony you will lose your license.

Aside from this, I'm not sure you can even get an IRS tax preparer ID with a criminal history, which every CPA who works in tax needs.

I personally believe in second chances, and the system we currently have here in the United States makes it difficult for honest reformed people to repair their lives. Ideally, if a convicted person stayed out of trouble for a long time they could petition to get their record sealed. That's just my 2 cents.

Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Everyone should be allowed to start over…especially after so much time has passed.

[Martin]

RegenJoe, you have 50 states to chose from,so just do your research before you start studying for any of the exams.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[tomq04]

I think most of the conclusions were decided that financial related felonies were non-starters. Other than that is mostly fair game.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Author]

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