[whitesoxfancpa]

This whole issue is still confusing the heck out of me.

I am a CPA but I am not, or do I ever intend to practice public accounting.

All I want to do is be able to call myself a CPA on my resume. That’s it!

When I passed, I got a letter in the mail from the Illinois Board of Examiners. It stated:

“…no person shall hold him or herself out to the public in any manner by using the title “certified public accountant” or use the abbreviation “CPA” unless he or she maintains a current registration or license issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).”

So I e-mailed the Illinois Board of Examiners Help Desk and they told me I need to get the “registration license” but not the other license that requires experience and continuing education. They said even to call myself a CPA on my resume or company letterhead, I need this “registration license.” It costs $90 plus a $2 convenience fee. I’m not sure if it expires…I’m sure it does, so they could collect money every year from me or whatever. So before I commit to paying $90 every year or two or whatever it is, I want to make sure this isn’t just a gimmick. I mean, if I’m not practicing in public accounting, why is this necessary?

I know a few CPAs who work in corporate accounting, like I do, and none of them have ever done or even heard of it. They all passed the exam, have a “Certified” status on the Illinois Board of Examiners website, and that’s it.

Other Illinois people working in corporate accounting – what are your thoughts on this?

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Anonymous]

whitesoxfancpa…

IL is what they call a “two-tier state”… at least for now. You can be either a Registered CPA or a Licensed CPA. (If you are Licensed CPA you do not need to hold a Registered CPA License).

I agree totally w/you… it is very confusing, @ least in IL!

I passed the CPA Exam in Oct 2010, got my certification# from the ILBOE in Dec 2010, and I rec'd the same letter. From what I can tell everyone who has passed the exam (& ehtics exam) in IL, before they can use “CPA” on anything (biz cards, letterhead, etc.) at a minimum they need to “register”… I'm not exactly sure what we are registering?… our certificate?… but, we have to do if we want to use the title CPA. The Reg CPA will not allow you to perform the audit/attest functions, but, you can use the title. As you said the Reg CPA costs $90 (I think every 3 yrs), but, there are no CPE reqs.

But, if you want to perform the audit/attest functions, you need to be a Licensed CPA. To be a Licensed CPA you will need to have @ least 1 yr work experience… IL is not specific as to if it needs to be under the direction of a CPA, as some other states are… the ILCPA Society has a website that gives more details on work exp. This costs more, and there are CPE reqs.

Because I am planning on moving out of state in a few years I was advised to apply for both the Reg CPA and the Licensed CPA. I sent in all of my applications in mid-Dec 2010, and still haven't heard anything from the ILDPR!

I do not plan to work in public actg either… but, I would like to have the use of the title.

Hope that this helps!

AUD-80, BEC-75, FAR-78, REG-81, Ethics- 95! ALL DONE in 2010!!!

.

[whitesoxfancpa]

DWS,

Outstanding. Thank you!

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info!

[Author]

Replies