[HoustonCowGirl]

Hi everyone,

I am 6 classes away from fulfilling my requirements for the CPA exam but I have run into a hurdle. I just realized there is no CPA at my company who can sign off on my accounting experience. This leaves me with only two options. Find a state that requires no work experience or turn my life upside down and find a job under a CPA which…i dont know if I can do. I have worked with my firm for a very long time and things are not exactly rosy in texas right now. Its a bit risky to leave your job.

I looked at Colorado and they have some extended academic experience that they can use instead of the work experience. But its extremely confusing to understand. I found this website called NASBA where they can evaluate your experience before you submit an application but I dont know if this is a legitimate website for 100 dollars.

Does any one have experience with NASBA?
Do I have to physically take the exam in Colorado to get a license there, provided i meet the requirements.
Do I just transfer my license from Colorado to Texas once im done? I mean could there be problems?
Are there any Colorado CPAs here who can give me some information?

I feel stuck before i even started. I hate this work experience requirement.

[HoustonCowGirl]

Thank you LegLock and Bhunt
I just cannot even explain how much i have learned on this forum today.
I will definitely look into Illinois. Thank you

Circadian – no you dont have to be licensed to get your first accounting job.
I had accounting jobs before i became a trader.
i just think its a bit tricky now…not really tricky…but i think considering the market…it may not be smooth sailing.

[Anonymous]

Pardon my bluntness, by why in the world do you think you'd be qualified to hold a CPA designation if you have no experience? It is no accident pretty much every state is moving to the new experience requirements. There is a reason you need to have solid accounting experience in order to get the license. We can't have CPAs with the license who aren't knowledgeable about the profession.

[HoustonCowGirl]

why not? its a free country. if i pass the exam and meet the requirements hell i have the right to be whatever i want to be.

someone once told me “bluntly” that they “were not the moral police” im going to tell you the same thing “stop trying to be the moral police”.

you have no right to question my inclination to do something

you are not my mother, father, friend, brother, sister

you are just a screen name

so please mind your own beeswax

thank you

[Anonymous]

Wow seriously??! I'm not questioning your rights, inclinations, or anything related to morality. I simply asked a question and related that question to the reason the rules are setup the way that they are. There is a reason the CPA license is highly sought after.

You posted a question on a public forum. I'm sorry this doesn't mesh with the responses and sympathy you were hoping to hear.

[Anonymous]

I think CPAeasy123's comment was a little naive to the designation. There are many CPA's that do not work in accounting but have the designation to help their careers. There are CFA's, lawyers, recruiters, people in IT, etc that have never worked a day of their life doing “Accounting” work but have the certification to help increase the value of their services.

That being said, there are many states that are different and if you apply in a state where you need a CPA to sign off on your experience, there's really no way around it. I would look into the loophole states and whether you qualify by reading through the qualifications of the states or definitely use the advice of the forum.

[Who is]

My Vote for Arizona. Transfer your NTS to Arizona

Without CPA, CPA career equivalent managers can sign off your work experience under Arizona jurisdiction.

[mckan514w]

DC has a CPN designation (Certified not to practice) it is for among other things those people not having direct work experience under a CPA- because there are so many accountants in DC that work in other areas of accounting that are not directly supervised by CPA's– the bad news is you would have to deal with the DC BOA which I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy 🙂

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[neaux]

Although harsh, I agree with cpaeasy123. I find it very weird that the OP doesn’t know what NASBA is. I vote that OP gets a job with relevant experience, finish school at the same time, and take the exam. Trying to find a work around won’t be successful. Qualifying and completing the exam in Colorado won’t make you a CPA, and won’t allow you to simply transfer to Texas. I suggest you contact the TSBPA.

[Accountant183748]

It seems like the OP only recently started looking into the CPA and has been a different field for 16 years. We all start somewhere and most of us have someone to help or give us some guidance with the whole process.

OP, like others have mentioned I think the best step would be to start looking for another job where you can get the work experience. After you finish your classes you can start studying and sitting for the exams. Like others, have mentioned the tests take about a year if working full time (it took me a year and half from starting to study to passing all 4 tests).

[Author]

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