[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

I hope there is someone out there that can point me in the right direction regarding my situation, so here it goes:

I graduated from college 20 years ago, and now I would like to pursue my dream of becoming a CPA. I contacted NASBA and am eligible to sit for the exam. However, there is one major issue that I am very concerned about. You see, when I transferred to the school where I received my degree way back when, I was not 100% honest. In other words, I did not list all the schools I attended (due to poor performance and such). Young and stupid was I. I realize now how foolish that was, an act equivalent to academic dishonesty.

So back to the present day. Is it still possible for me to become a CPA with that huge blemish? When I submit my transcripts to the Dept of Education, won’t they find out and disqualify me the instant it is discovered, if not worse?

Will they notify my school that awarded me my degree?

I don’t know what to do, and I don’t know where else to turn. I hope there is someone out there that can offer some helpful advice and tell me what options I have.

CPA Wannabe

[laserglare]

Just to clarify, did u get poor grades at school A, and then attended school B where you retook the same courses and got good grades there?

And then after that, you only reported school B. If you retook the courses i don't think your obligated to report the bad grades.

Anyways, I think you should try to get a CPA. How would dept of education know that there are discrepancies between the two schools, they have no recorded to compare to, because you are the ones sending them the records. There's a very SLIM chance they will catch it, and even then, there's a slim chance that they will NOTIFY your other school, and EVEN THEN, I don't think they would take away your degree if your other school found out. I feel like admissions is based on more than just a couple of grades. Lastly, if they find out and you do get your degree taken away, why would it matter, you would still have your current job, you just can't pursue the CPA, therefore, nothing would change.

[Anonymous]

So you attended schools prior to the school you actually graduated from, but didn't tell that school all the prior schools you went to?? I don't see why that matters since I would think the only negative impact is that you would not have gotten transfer credit for anything.

As long as you fulfilled the graduation requirements at the school you graduated from, it shouldn't matter that you started at some other school and did poorly. Assuming I'm interpreting what happened correctly, I don't see why it would be a big deal at all.

[tomq04]

I'll post my agreement ASSUMING the facts k917 laid out, if you fulfilled your requirements are your alma matter, they don't care what you did at other schools. By not submitting info from your other schools all you missed out on was transferred credits.

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

[Anonymous]

Here are the nightmarish details of my college career:

After high school, I attended school A for approximately 2 years, earning a gpa of 1.3 after which I committed my first transgression by leaving the school and attending school B (a community college) as an incoming freshman – why I did not apply as a transfer student is beyond me. Anyways, I spent a semester there and earned a 2.6 gpa. I then transferred to school C where I performed poorly again (2.0 gpa). So I left and attended school D as an incoming freshman. I spent the next 2 years there and earned above average grades (3.1). Finally, I transferred again to school E where I spent the remainder of my college years, earning my degree in accounting.

School E does not know about schools A-C, as these were not included on my transfer application. I contacted the school recently and spoke anonymously to the Director of admissions. After hearing about my situation she told me how bad she felt for me, but she also pointed out that this was a serious issue and that if everything came to light I could have my degree revoked due to academic dishonesty.

So there it is in black and white. Even if I pass the exam, I don't see how I can get past the licensure process. The state board requires that all transcripts be sent to them. I presume that the schools will be contacted, including school E who might uncover the dirty deed.

Any suggestions as to what I can do is greatly appreciated.

[Author]

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