[Sweet Home]

Hi,

I am a student from Saudi Arabia. I came to the US to get a Masters Degree in Accounting. I am still doing the GMAT preparation, and I plan to do the CPA examinations. I hope so and I think I can.

So, I searched online and found a lot of posts and info.. I was overwhelmed..

I don’t know where to begin!

Here is some info about me:

I have a Bachelor Degree in Accounting (112 hours).

I have NO work experience in accounting whatsoever.

I am in the US with an F1 visa

Haven't done anything yet.

[LongJourney]

I graduated from KFUPM so I might be able to help you, where did you graduate from? Experience doesn't matter that much in passing the exams although it matters in getting a license. Selecting the proper state is an extremely important step. You might select a state, evaluate your transcript, study for the exams, pass the exams, and then discover that you can't get your license due to that state rule (i.e.: no social security number, no public accounting experience, experience not verified by a CPA, etc…). I can probably provide you with some recommendations but I need to know more; do you intend to work in public accounting? Do you intend to take the exams before completing 150 hours? From the top of my head, you should probably check the following states; Illinois, New Hampshire, & Colorado.

The process is overwhelming but with proper research you can pass the process in a more efficient fashion.

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[LongJourney]

I graduated from KFUPM so I might be able to help you, where did you graduate from? Experience doesn't matter that much in passing the exams although it matters in getting a license. Selecting the proper state is an extremely important step. You might select a state, evaluate your transcript, study for the exams, pass the exams, and then discover that you can't get your license due to that state rule (i.e.: no social security number, no public accounting experience, experience not verified by a CPA, etc…). I can probably provide you with some recommendations but I need to know more; do you intend to work in public accounting? Do you intend to take the exams before completing 150 hours? From the top of my head, you should probably check the following states; Illinois, New Hampshire, & Colorado.

The process is overwhelming but with proper research you can pass the process in a more efficient fashion.

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[Hammer]

Don't worry, you've come to the right place. First go here:

Click on your state and determine what the educational and work experience requirements are for 1) sitting for the CPA exam, and 2) obtaining the license after passing.

I can tell you that you will need 150 credit hours to obtain a license in any state and since you said you were going for a Masters in accounting any way, knocking that out of the way first will be your best bet. The masters degree will take care of the 150 credit hours along with taking care of all of the necessary accounting credits needed to sit and obtain a license.

Created with Compare Ninja

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[Hammer]

Don't worry, you've come to the right place. First go here:

Click on your state and determine what the educational and work experience requirements are for 1) sitting for the CPA exam, and 2) obtaining the license after passing.

I can tell you that you will need 150 credit hours to obtain a license in any state and since you said you were going for a Masters in accounting any way, knocking that out of the way first will be your best bet. The masters degree will take care of the 150 credit hours along with taking care of all of the necessary accounting credits needed to sit and obtain a license.

Created with Compare Ninja

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[Sweet Home]

@LongJourney

Thnaks for the reply!

I graduated from Qassim University. And I honestly intend to complete the CPA examinations before obtaining my Master's Degree because I know I won't have time to study for the CPA during my master's courses. But what do I know? I might change my mind if I know more info about the test and other things.

I do not intend to work in public accounting, I want to pass the tests and obtain the license for personal educational reasons.

one more thing: is there any official guide to study from? And Does the test depend on MCQ's or what? and how long would it take on average to finish the tests (studying period)?

Also, What courses do you recommend for me? because there are plenty of them.

I know my questions are a lot and you might not be able to estimate .. but I hope you can at least give me your plain personal opinion.

Thanks again, and I'm waiting for you to come back and give your opinion.

Haven't done anything yet.

[Sweet Home]

@LongJourney

Thnaks for the reply!

I graduated from Qassim University. And I honestly intend to complete the CPA examinations before obtaining my Master's Degree because I know I won't have time to study for the CPA during my master's courses. But what do I know? I might change my mind if I know more info about the test and other things.

I do not intend to work in public accounting, I want to pass the tests and obtain the license for personal educational reasons.

one more thing: is there any official guide to study from? And Does the test depend on MCQ's or what? and how long would it take on average to finish the tests (studying period)?

Also, What courses do you recommend for me? because there are plenty of them.

I know my questions are a lot and you might not be able to estimate .. but I hope you can at least give me your plain personal opinion.

Thanks again, and I'm waiting for you to come back and give your opinion.

Haven't done anything yet.

[Sweet Home]

@MCHammer

Thnaks for the info!

So, basically you advise me to complete my master's before going for a CPA?

Can't I sit for the exam and obtain a license without the 150-hour condition?

Thanks again I appreciate it

Haven't done anything yet.

[Sweet Home]

@MCHammer

Thnaks for the info!

So, basically you advise me to complete my master's before going for a CPA?

Can't I sit for the exam and obtain a license without the 150-hour condition?

Thanks again I appreciate it

Haven't done anything yet.

[LongJourney]

@SweetHome

I don't have any public accounting experience as well. Most likely, Colorado would be more suitable for you although you must check out the state board rules by yourself (State boards keep on changing them all the time). I understand that you can take the exam under Colorado rules before completing the 150 hours. In addition there is an education in lieu of experience rule which would allow you to get a CPA license without the required experience. Read Carefully all of the rules and contact the board directly if you have to.

It's possible that you can finish from the CPA exams during your master's courses but you should note that you must pass all four exams within 18 months period. In summary below is my recommended course of action:

1- Focus on your GMAT for the time being in order to get a satisfactory score.

2- Check out Colorado state rules and try to make up for any deficiency during your studies.

3- Focus on your Master's degree and don't even think about preparing for the exams before you get the board's approval.

4- Determine which study method is suitable for you (i.e. live courses, online courses, or books) and which course provider is more suitable for you (i.e. Becker, Roger, Yaeger, Wiley, CPAExcel, etc…).

5- Take the exams! If you have enough confidence and you took the corresponding courses in your Master's, then take two exams in every testing window (this will allow you to finish from the exams in around six to nine months).

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[LongJourney]

@SweetHome

I don't have any public accounting experience as well. Most likely, Colorado would be more suitable for you although you must check out the state board rules by yourself (State boards keep on changing them all the time). I understand that you can take the exam under Colorado rules before completing the 150 hours. In addition there is an education in lieu of experience rule which would allow you to get a CPA license without the required experience. Read Carefully all of the rules and contact the board directly if you have to.

It's possible that you can finish from the CPA exams during your master's courses but you should note that you must pass all four exams within 18 months period. In summary below is my recommended course of action:

1- Focus on your GMAT for the time being in order to get a satisfactory score.

2- Check out Colorado state rules and try to make up for any deficiency during your studies.

3- Focus on your Master's degree and don't even think about preparing for the exams before you get the board's approval.

4- Determine which study method is suitable for you (i.e. live courses, online courses, or books) and which course provider is more suitable for you (i.e. Becker, Roger, Yaeger, Wiley, CPAExcel, etc…).

5- Take the exams! If you have enough confidence and you took the corresponding courses in your Master's, then take two exams in every testing window (this will allow you to finish from the exams in around six to nine months).

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[Sweet Home]

@LongJourney

Thank you so much! You've been very helpful!

I checked Colorado page and found out they require a Social Security Number. Is there any way I can go around that?

Thnaks

Haven't done anything yet.

[Sweet Home]

@LongJourney

Thank you so much! You've been very helpful!

I checked Colorado page and found out they require a Social Security Number. Is there any way I can go around that?

Thnaks

Haven't done anything yet.

[LongJourney]

Don't worry about it, you can overcome this by filling out a Social Security Number Affidavit Form. You simply need to mention that you aren't planning to work in the US or live there. https://www.dora.state.co.us/registrations/SSNaffidavit.pdf

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[LongJourney]

Don't worry about it, you can overcome this by filling out a Social Security Number Affidavit Form. You simply need to mention that you aren't planning to work in the US or live there. https://www.dora.state.co.us/registrations/SSNaffidavit.pdf

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[Sweet Home]

Thanks! I will see what I can do then I'll come back with probably more questions. You should know I reside in Seattle, WA. Have a good evening.

Haven't done anything yet.

[Author]

Replies