[Mel]

So an opportunity has presented itself that could possibly be better for me than my current job. It would be working for my old boss who i believe may have let his CPA license lapse. Now he said its a small operation so there could possibly be no other CPA there. My interview is this week so i’ll find out but i wanted to know if there being no active CPA there is a deal breaker? Mainly in regard to having someone be able to sign off on my experience once i pass my exams.I kinda feel like it should be a deal breaker because I’ve invested all this money into the exam but wouldn’t get my certificate/license right away because i need to get the experience, especially since both of my current bosses are active CPAs. Am i crazy to think this way?

[Anonymous]

You should check with your state board to see what their requirements are. I know that in Louisiana, your one year experience must be within the four years preceding or after you complete the exams and apply for your license. As long as I had a cpa who was active within those past four years in any state who supervised my experience it was good. I ran into the problem where my cpa supervisor had gone into retirement status but he had been supervising me for 8 years. I thought I would be stuck but since he had been active within the preceding 4 years I was able to use him.

Maybe you could get the current cpa supervisors to sign off on your experience if you leave on good terms. If you are working for your old boss if there is a number of years that you can use prior to the application and he possibly was licensed and supervised you for one of those years then he could possibly sign off on your experience. But you need to check with your state board to see their particular requirements.

[Mel]

Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately for me my current bosses have only been my bosses for less than a year and my prior bosses are not available.

[mla1169]

I'd ask the question in the interview, is there an active licensed CPA on staff. You might be surprised.

FAR- 77
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REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[LSNYC]

I would ask on the interview, you never know. Plus are you sure he has let his license laps? IT is possible he did but has since renewed. If being a CPA is your goal then yes i think not being able to get your experience signed off on should be a deal breaker. That is just my opinion but why put yourself through all these exams and then maybe not be able to get your license? IF you see this position as your dream job, and you don't need your CPA maybe that's the way to go,you need to first figure out what you want.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Mel]

UPDATE: Went on the interview seems like a great company, but alas I was correct, there is no active licensed CPA on staff. My old boss said he will see what we can do to get that requirement settled but if we come to no resolution then i will not take the job. It will probably be more pay and an opportunity to grow but my long term goals involve me having my CPA so i don't want to forfeit it now while i have the opportunity.

[jsmithsae]

Mel, i would call you state board and ask. In TN the person signing off can have an Inactive license, just so long as they don't have an expired or revoked license.

Also, i think i have heard of the ability to have a CPA vouch for your work experience. Lets say the company uses an outside CPA firm for tax purposes, having a CPA from the firm sign off.

My best advice again though…call the state board. They are usually more than helpful with these questions.

Good Luck!

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AUD-84!
REG-78!
FAR-83!
Ethics-Passed!
Experience-Got that too

Used Becker 2013 Self-Study & NINJA 10pt Combo Lite(AUD)

[Author]

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