[PrinceofDubtown]

So I’m in the process of applying to take the CPA exam. I applied through NASBA in Georgia, and after I applied realized that I do not have sufficient credit hours in order to receive a Georgia license (the state requires 30 hours of accounting instruction ABOVE the introductory level, and I only have 30 hours total…stupid mistake, I know).

I could take the online courses through Becker/DeVry to get the six hours I need, but those cost $3500 and my firm won’t cover it (they already paid for the Becker materials but the courses through Becker do not grant credit, it has to be through DeVry). I’ve already paid the application and exam fees to take the exam in Georgia, and my firm covered those as well.

My question is: what is the option, dollar-wise, for me at this point? Is it possible for me to, say, take the test in Georgia, transfer my score to somewhere like Alaska (where I do meet the requirements for a license), and get licensed there? I think I’d only need to pay for a new application fee, then. Or do I have to take the worst option, bite the bullet, and pay 3.5 grand for some DeVry credits?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FAR - 92 (7/13)
AUD - 98 (10/13)
REG - 92 (7/14)
BEC - 95 (8/14)

[Anonymous]

I was short 18 hours to sit for the exam so i took the DeVry online classes, because that was the only thing i could take with my work schedule. I could have went to a local community college, but because of work I could only do online classes. Another reason I took DeVry was, because it's super easy. I took some DeVry classes in the past, so I knew i could pass them without a problem. You could save lot of money by going to a local community college, but if all else fails go for DeVry.

I'm not sure if that help you, but just a little info.

[FlipACoin]

I'm sure you have already checked into it, but just to be sure, are you sure the requirements aren't different between sitting and licensing? In CA they have a base requirement just to sit, but you need a few more in order to actually be licensed. Some community colleges have online classes but they arent usually higher level accounting courses (usually just the basics). If it were me I would go the community college route if you can. There are also classes through schools like National, Phoenix, etc. that might still be expensive but less than 3500 a class or whatever rediculous price Devry charges.

[PrinceofDubtown]

To be clear, I AM eligible to sit for the exam (already applied in GA and just waiting on my NTS). The 3500 is what I would have to pay in total for the six additional credit hours I need.

FAR - 92 (7/13)
AUD - 98 (10/13)
REG - 92 (7/14)
BEC - 95 (8/14)

[Futile]

You can try UNA PAPP or LSU instead of DeVry. See if you haven't already taken the classes they offer.

Also, I'm pretty sure you'd have to pay more than just an application fee to transfer your scores over to a different board. To transfer into my state it costs $300 just to transfer the score to my state board, plus some fees for the application and for whatever board you're transferring out of and/or to NASBA.

CPA exam: Done!

Thank You, Lord.

[PrinceofDubtown]

Those are good references, thanks! For UNA it looks like they offer Taxation II, and LSU offers governmental and non-profit accounting…I've not taken either one of these and these options look quite a bit cheaper. Thanks so much!

FAR - 92 (7/13)
AUD - 98 (10/13)
REG - 92 (7/14)
BEC - 95 (8/14)

[Anonymous]

Anybody,

Are the classes from UNA and LSU accredited to apply for license?

Anybody has taken classes from this institution and received your license?

I am one of those who need additional credit hours..

Thank you in advance all.

[Anonymous]

LSU (Louisiana State) is accredited. I took all of my accounting classes through them, and have transferred them to another school with no problem, as well has having my state board review them (I'm in a non-NASBA state that requires the education requirements to be complete before sitting for the exam).

[Anonymous]

Park University offers on-line courses. I had to get some extra credits too and the cost was $1,076 per three hour course (it might have gone up slightly because this was a little while ago). Park also does accelerated 8 week terms. So, you should be able to get it done for about $2,200 plus materials if you go that route. A friend of mine is the associate director of admissions there so if you want to talk to a real human being let me know.

https://new.park.edu/

[calicpa]

you guys are crazy paying 1,000 for a 3 unit class or 3500. just go to c.c. and if there aren't any around take online c.c. classes. I took an online c.c. class 600 miles away for like 200$ per 3 unit class.

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[ipasscpa]

Guys,

I have 128 credits and 50% done with the cpa exam. However, in new york I need 150 credit for the license. I was planning to go for masters after cpa exam so i can also fulfill my 150 requirement. Can anybody advice me on this? should i apply for master program or just complete the 150. thanks in advance

CPA- VA

[Anonymous]

ipasscpa – There's not a clear-cut answer on that. There's people on here who swear by the Masters, and others who think it's a waste of time and money. 😉 Many Master's programs require experience before applying, so, do you have an accounting or business (if MBA) job currently? If not, that would be my first focus. Then, my next focus would be based on a decision about which was more important to you at the moment. If you want your CPA before your MBA, you'll need to get the credits before the Master's…but if you want your Master's and have a program you're ready to enroll in, then you might choose to get the Master's first and then the CPA afterwards.

Personally, when I get done with the tests, I wouldn't want to have to wait a couple years to get my credits before I became a CPA. I cannot wait to get that certificate and be DONE with this journey! However, that's just a sign that I'm still a bit immature and impatient. 😉 If you're a bit more patient, you might be quite willing to wait 18 months or 2 years or whatever the Master's program requires, so that you can get MBA and CPA at the same time.

[sonygal57]

I am in a similar situation as ipasscpa. I have begun studying for the CPA and hope to have the exam finished before pursuing my master’s degree. My state also requires 150 for the licensure (120 to sit). I decided to take the exam first because I wanted to use the study time to save money for the costly credits associated with a master’s degree. I planned on utilizing an online school to obtain my masters because I live in a small town (only a community college nearby) and also because online schools provide me the flexibility to maintain a day job.

My concern is that if I use an online school I will run into trouble in obtaining employment from a decent CPA firm (upward mobility, great pay/benefits, etc). I am considering applying to a state school but I am not sure how I will be able to pay the mortgage here (can't rely on selling or renting) and maintain a household in a different city.

Does anyone have an opinion on using an online school to obtain a masters degree? If I have my CPA will the college I attended really make that much of a difference in the job market? I have been working as a tax professional (year-round) for 4 years now. I foresee myself working as a tax manager in a CPA firm in a slightly bigger city in approximately 3-4 years.

Also, I work for a small tax preparation office in a small town; do you think CPA firms will take this experience? We do 1041s, s-corp, c-corp, and partnership returns for smaller businesses and trusts/estates.

Good old Gandalf, "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is give to us."
"Not all those who wander are lost."

FAR: I slayed the Dragon!
BEC: I defeated the Siren!
AUD: I eliminated Medusa!
REG: ?????

[Anonymous]

Liberty University earns two top “Best Buy” rankings. https://www.liberty.edu/online/liberty-news/?mid=91271

They offer a Masters in Science in Accounting. https://www.liberty.edu/online/degrees/masters/

Their tuition costs aren't too bad (varies depending on program), and are even better if you are a veteran $250/credit hour: https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=22517

[Metal_Majesty]

I would suggest going to the university I used to get my Bachelors and Masters. I attended Western Governors University. You pay per semester a set fee and then you can take as many classes as you want. That way if you need multiple credit hours you can save a lot of money! I was able to get my Bachelors in Accounting (already had a associates from a local community college) in six months and a MBA in another six months and only had to take out a loan for 4500.00. I already passed the education requirements for my state (Illinois) and it was amazing how many accounting course and business course hours I had from my degree programs.

[Anonymous]

I would think the validity of an online degree would depend on the college it was from. If I was looking for an online degree that would look good, I would seek a college with a large “brick and mortar” program and a relatively new online one so that their reputation was brick-and-mortar.

[Author]

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