[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I’ll try to be brief. I passed all 4 exams, but moved to a state which requires me to have an additional 6 credit hours. I’m in IT audit and plan on moving even deeper within the IT industry. I don’t plan on ever actually needing my CPA license in the future. Right now, I’m studying for the CISA exam, which is much more relevant to my current job and I’m learning Python and SQL on the side – I really want to get deeper into the tech field. So here are my questions:

1. I know once you pass all 3 exams the CPA scores never expire. So this would mean in 10 years if I wanted to I could make up the education requirements and then get my CPA license. This seems too good to be true. Anyone know?

2. I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this, but can I get away with saying I have my CPA certificate rather than license or something along those lines?

3. If I do decide to take the classes. I was going to do Wiley’s University of Norther Alabama Accounting Prep classes, but I was wondering how intense they were and if I could get away taking two classes at once (6 credit hours). Anyone know?

4. Should I do it? Is it really worth it?

Thanks to everyone who offers any kind of advice.

[Missy]

1. Double check with your state. There are some states in which passed exams expire, but I assume you have already looked into it.

2. You know the answer. Don't make me say it.

I can't imagine putting the effort into these exams then deciding to walk away with nothing to show for it but to each their own.

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

[Anonymous]

1. I know once you pass all 3 exams the CPA scores never expire. So this would mean in 10 years if I wanted to I could make up the education requirements and then get my CPA license. This seems too good to be true. Anyone know?

Scores do expire – it depends on the state you will be licensed in. I think the general rule is around 3 years from what I've heard (including my state).

2. I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but can I get away with saying I have my CPA certificate rather than license or something along those lines?

Not sure what this means – if you're not a CPA you can not claim to be a CPA, that is fraud.

3. If I do decide to take the classes. I was going to do Wiley's University of Norther Alabama Accounting Prep classes, but I was wondering how intense they were and if I could get away taking two classes at once (6 credit hours). Anyone know?

I haven't taken courses at those specific institutions but I took 9 Masters level credit hours while studying for my exams, working full-time and survived.

4. Should I do it? Is it really worth it?

Being licensed is very valuable to any person (IMO) – and besides you may wake up one day and decide to change careers, or be laid off, no one can predict the future.

[mommyof3texans]

If I went through the effort and passed all the exams, I would sure as hell take those credits and get licensed. You really do not know what the future holds and how the CPA will benefit you. I'd suck it up and take the classes, just my opinion

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All done!!!

[Anonymous]

For the record, on # 2, I'm not saying I'll call myself a CPA, but I've heard that some people say they have their CPA certificate rather than license if they passed the exam. Then there is CPA inactive, but that's for people who were once a CPA and are just inactive. But thanks to all those who replied!

[Anonymous]

If you only need 6 classes, take the 6 classes. Even if it's not your major/line of work, those 3 letters carry prestige.

The only thing you can say without having a license is that you passed all sections. You cannot call yourself a CPA, nor do you have a certificate. I have just been issued a license # and have been advised that I cant even call myself a CPA until I'm on the national database (even though my application passed board approval and all that).

Edit: Just realized it's 6 hours, not 6 classes – not even worth discussing. Do it. You'll kick yourself if not.

[taxgeek83]

Some states – maybe 6? – are two-tiered states that offer both a license and a certificate. Some folks will get the certificate while they're still meeting the experience requirement to become licensed. Just passing the exams doesn't automatically grant you a certificate though – you still have to apply and be approved for one.

[Missy]

General rule of thumb, if someone called your state licensing board to ask if you held a cpa certificate, the boards answer should be a resounding yes or you cant say it.

If the board doesn't issue certificates or you don't hold one, you can be prevented from ever obtaining a license.

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

[D]

As someone who has been working in industry for over 5 years and now has been in our internal audit department for over 2 years, I can tell you that having your CPA on top of your CISA will be a HUGE benefit to you… even if you don't ever plan on truly using the CPA to its full potential as a financial auditor.

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[MTB15]

Without having read anyone's replies here on this topic I'd GET IT for sure! No way I'd put the time in and not get to sign my name with CPA on the end. Petty yes…but it is what it is.

[KCCPA13]

I would just take the 6 credit classes and get the license. You never know what will happen down the road and you may actually need your license. I'm sure you know this by now, but you can't claim to be CPA anything unless you are officially license. The only thing you can get by saying is that you passed all 4 exams.

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[Thrawn]

You did the hard part… get your CPA.

BEC 87 Feb 14
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[fuzyfro89]

About half the IT audit team at my company also holds CPA licenses. Seems most of them went a similar route as you… started off in accounting, but enjoyed the IT side of things much more and kind of left the financial world a little bit.

The license requires somewhat minimal upkeep, and will likely pay for itself in the next promotion or when you are looking for another job… or truth be told, opportunities that will come up even if you aren't looking. IT auditors with relevant certifications (CISA, CISSP, etc) on top of a CPA have a lot of value in the job market.

The cost to get 6 credits is minimal, especially if you already meet the acct requirements and just need any old 6 credits. You can get them from almost anywhere, and can take basket weaving I and advanced basket weaving. Done!

1) Depends on your state. Since you likely won't ever be reporting, it's possible you could “transfer” your scores to another state that does not lapse scores in order to get licensed in the future, but there's a lot of tricky hoops to go through, and in the end the board could just say NO and you're stuck.

2) Depends on your state. Unless you have an official document or something supporting your status as a “CPA certificate holder” or “CPA license holder”, don't even mess with this a little bit. Seriously. Don't be stupid.

3) If it's anything like the Becker/Devry class for credit, it's easy as pie. People taking accounting classes at online diploma mills are not (on avg) the brightest bunch, so obviously the courses aren't going to be as rigorous. If there's no rush, just do one after another. Some of their terms are short anyway (like 10 weeks or less with a little b.s. work).

4) Yes, it's worth having a CPA license. The value is much higher early in your career when you are lighter on experience and the degrees/licenses/experience need to work together. As your career goes by, say 15 years into it, the experience will be much more significant. Use certifications like tools when negotiating. A CPA/CISA combination is strong in the field, even if you don't plan to develop the financial side of things in the future.

[Anonymous]

I'll actually play devil's advocate here:

1. You'll need to call your state board. Some states exam credit expires and other states it does not. In Ohio exam credits don't expire once you pass all four but if you don't get your license in a certain timeframe they require you to get CPE first.

2. Answered already.

3. Not sure

4. Is it worth it? This is where I'll play devil's advocate. You're on a board full of CPAs and CPA candidates so that's going to skew people's advice. Anyway, it's going to be different for everyone but it sounds like you're going into a field that doesn't require the CPA license. 6 credit hours is not that many but if you have to pay for them out of pocket, are you really going to benefit from being a CPA? Cost being “minimal” is a relative turn. It's a minimal cost for me to go out and buy myself a Barbie Doll but that's also something I'd never use so why would I waste even that money? Hell even the time associated getting those 6 credit hours can be spent doing something that will be more relevant to your current field.

On the other hand, if you can expect to be working with a lot of Accountants and / or CPAs (such as designing software applications for them), having the license wouldn't hurt at all. It would show them that you understand their concerns and help relate to their needs when designing that software.

[wr8280]

Ohio lets you suspend your license for non-practicing CPAs. You get to be a CPA, but you don't need to take CPE

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You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

[Thrawn]

Get your CPA, and then get licensed in Wisconsin, no CPE needed as long as you don't join the AICPA or WICPA.

BEC 87 Feb 14
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FAR 82 Nov 14
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[Author]

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