[basketball716]

Is there anyone here willing to sign off as a CPA reference so I can apply to take the exam?

[CPA soon]

I have never heard of this rule?

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I think I have heard people mention some states may allow a non cpa to attest an applicant's experience and manager signoff it but I have never been pointed to a specific state.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Juliemiddle]

If that's a requirement in your state, you actually have to be supervised/directed by a CPA for a year (at least in TX, it's a 1-year requirement). My guess is that you already know this, though.

AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
REG: 91 - May, 2014
FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

[Anonymous]

@basketball If you were to mention what state you're in, it might help people advise you better, but I would suggest trying to find a way to get to know some CPAs in your area. Getting a stranger from online to sign off on your application will be harder – and less safe – than getting someone in person. I don't know what your application is like, but my state's application has a wealth of personal information, including SS#. Not really something you want to send to a random person online who claims to be CPA and agrees to sign for you.

[Anonymous]

In NC, three non-CPAs need to sign off on your moral character to take the exam and three CPAs need to sign off to get licensed. Read the application carefully to ensure that you truly need CPAs to take the exams.

I have to agree with Lilla and trying to get strangers to sign off. Try to network in your area. Also, ask around at work. Just last week at my job, I found out two people are CPAs but don't advertise it.

[leglock]

politicians write laws requiring your moral character be attested to. There is irony somewhere in there.

[basketball716]

The state is Pennsylvania

Here is the form:

https://www.nasba.org/files/2011/05/Character_Ref_Pennsylvania.pdf

[ScarletKnightCPA]

If this is an issue I would just try to take the cpa exam under a different state, you don't have to physically take the exam in that state.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[impska]

Re-read the form. It says if one of your references doesn't meet the requirements, then attach a sheet explaining why.

I suggest asking a professor to do it (I'm surprised none of the classes you've taken had a CPA professor). Otherwise, ask someone you know who works in financial services of some sort (banker, financial advisor, non-CPA accountant, etc). If all else fails – try to get a respected professional – doctor, police officer, etc.

But if you seriously know no one because you live in a cave, then just write that in your letter. I assume being raised by wolves is a good enough story to get an exception from Pennsylvania.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Well it's not too far fetched that he doesn't know anyone.

I grew up in a poor immigrant family who didn't associate with anyone else. We moved around few years growing up. I literally don't know any one like that outside college professors and of them in undergrad only one had a cpa, the rest were phds with no industry experience.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[impska]

Right. The form specifically says that all he needs to do if he doesn't know a CPA is to write a letter of explanation.

Common sense dictates that “Professor X, with a PhD in Accounting” would be accepable substitute.

There's a letter option for a reason – so you can explain that you don't know any CPAs and why you think your substitute reference is a good reference.

Nevermind. You people are right. Better to take the CPA exam in another state or ask random people on the internet for references. Reading the form and doing what it says is way too complicated.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Author]

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