[tvoth]

Hi Everyone! I will be graduating this December and will be eligible to sit for the CPA in KS. However, to be closer to family, I want to move to TX as soon as I graduate. I am getting ready to send in my application of intent to TX’s board of accountancy to get my transcript evaluated. I did some research already and know that there will be a couple classes that I’m missing that TX requires and my university does not offer those classes.

Given the situation, after I move to TX, should I take the exam as a Kansas candidate and worry about get licensed in TX later, or should I take the classes I’m lacking first under TX’s requirements and then sit as a TX candidate? Which way would be better and why?

Any information regarding this matter is greatly appreciated! All these different requirements have got me concerned all semester. Thank you for your time!

[Texas27]

Depends… What classes are you lacking?

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[Tux]

I don't think the order that you do it will really matter. Depends on your overall plan.

For example, if you move to TX, and test immediately under KS rules, will you want to work while you continue taking classes for the TX requirements?

If so, there's a chance that it will help your job opportunities to show that you've already passed the exam.

If you don't plan to work until you get your TX license, then I don't think the order you complete the requirements will make a big difference.

Also, consider the costs involved in doing it both ways. I'm pretty sure that if you test in another state, then transfer scores to TX, there is a $300 transfer fee.

On one hand, taking additional classes BEFORE you take the exam, might help you on the exam.

On the other hand, getting the exam over with sooner can be a huge mental relief and wonderful to have behind you. Then, any additional classes will be a piece of cake.

So, bottom line – I don't think it makes a big difference, since you have to jump through all the same hoops anyway, it's just a matter of which order you do it. If you're ready to get the exam over with, do it sooner. If you think the additional required classes will benefit you on the exam, then move to TX, take more classes, and take exam for TX later.

BTW – I live in TX and am testing through KY to get my exam over with sooner. But, I'm in my 40's and time is of the essence. So, it's just depends on your life situation.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[tvoth]

Thank you for the replies!

Texas27: I believe I am missing an ethics course and a tax research and analysis course.

Tux: My plan is to start looking for a job in TX this fall and start working as soon as I graduate. I would want to take the exam as soon as possible to get it over with. I just didn't know if the board or employers would prefer one way to another. But like you said, if I have to jump through the same hoops either way, I would rather get it over it. If I decide to go this route, after passing the exam, what are the following steps that I have to take? Aside from taking the missing courses to meet TX's requirements, do I have to do anything else? Thank for your response and good luck to you on passing all your parts!

[Texas27]

@tvoth, I just went through the application process with Texas and it took about 4 weeks to get my application reviewed and, if you have all of your requirements done, it will also take about 4 weeks to get it approved. I go to an out-of-state school for my undergrad and graduate degrees which has an approved ethics course by the state board but I was unable to enroll in it because I chose to do an internship that semester instead. Anyways, this put me in a really tough position because the ethics course was the only requirement I was lacking and I had waited until the last minute to complete it. If I were you, I would check to see if your university offers an ethics course that is approved by the Texas State Board (there is a list on their website).

As far as the Tax Research and Analysis requirement, I think you interpreted this requirement wrong because it is kind of misleading on their website. You only need two credit hours in some type of accounting research class and tax research could count towards those hours but there are also many other classes that can too. The TSBPA website is a little misleading because under the approved accounting courses it says you can have a maximum of 12 hours from tax (including tax research and analysis) but this does not prevent you from taking other research classes to satisfy the research requirement.

If you are not planning on taking the exam until after you graduate I would consider going ahead and applying through Texas. The reason being is that you can find an approved ethics course (either online or short course) to complete before you graduate if you really want to. In fact, I waited until the last minute and took a week long ethics class for three credit hours at a university in the Dallas area as a non-degree seeking student during Christmas break. The Texas State Board had my transcript with a grade a week and a half after I started the class. You should also be able to find an accounting research class at your school that you can complete before you graduate.

Good luck!

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[Tux]

Texas27 is correct – the research requirement doesn't HAVE to be tax research, but a tax research class DOES meet the requirement.

You might already have taken a class that will count.

There is also a 2 hour credit course at Houston Community College that (I believe) you can take online, which counts toward the research requirement.

For details of your options, I'd contact the TX board directly. They're pretty good at answering questions.

Since you're ready to send your application of intent, you can go ahead and do that. The response they send you will answer many of your questions.

But, for faster clarification, I'd call them directly to find out as much as possible over the phone.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[tvoth]

Tux and Texas27, thanks for replying! Your responses have been extremely helpful.

@Tux: My school offers an ethics course, but it's for business in general and not specific to accounting. I will check with the TX board to see if that one would count. However, if it doesn't, do you know of any colleges in TX that offer qualifying ethics courses online? If possible, I would love to meet all of TX's requirements before I graduate so I can sit in TX and not have to worry about completing additional classes after passing the exam.

@Texas27: I will definitely get in touch with the TX board to talk more about the tax and research analysis course. Hopefully, I've already met this criteria.

[Texas27]

Here is a list of approved ethics courses… The ones that say distance learning next to them are online courses.

https://www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/pdffiles/approved-ethics-courses.pdf

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[tvoth]

Thanks a bunch!

[Author]

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