[ks777]

I passed all my exams and started filling out the NY license paperwork. I work in the private sector for a company that is based in the UK. My boss has UK qualifications and is a member of AICPA, but since she’s not a state licensed CPA she can’t certify my 6 years of work experience.

So, I was wondering if there are any states that I can transfer my exam scores to, and she could certify my work experience.

Thanks

BEC 5/12/11 - 80
FAR 7/9/11 - 79
AUD 8/20/11 - 77
REG 10/8/11

[Anonymous]

If you want to get licensed as a practicing CPA, generally you have to have work experience be certified by a CPA. This is a general statement.

There are states where you can get a CPA certificate without the required experience. Five states have this second option. Google CPA two tier states for more information. The CPA certificate is not the same as being a licensed CPA and you don't have the same rights.

Illinois, until July 1, is one of them. In Illinois, you can be a registered CPA if you qualify. You can't do a lot of CPA stuff like attestation or IRS representation, but you can put CPA on your paperwork. Check the requirements at http://www.ilboa.org

[Anonymous]

You can become a fully licensed CPA in Virginia with a non-CPA certifying your work experience. Contact the Virginia Board of Accountancy for requirements.

[ks777]

Thank you!

I'll look into both of those options. For the short term I'm looking to stay where I am, but feel having some sort of certification would help when eventually looking to move.

BEC 5/12/11 - 80
FAR 7/9/11 - 79
AUD 8/20/11 - 77
REG 10/8/11

[Anonymous]

Look into Arizona. They only require 1 year experience, and the experience can be signed off by some one equivalent to CPA.

[Minimorty]

This is pretty ridiculous. There really should be one uniform standard for the 50 states. Its crazy that someone could get a license without having the appropriate experience. I also think the minimum experience for a CPA license should be 5 years under the supervision of an active CPA.

[Anonymous]

Virginia may be taking into account qualifications of all the federal employees in the area involved in financial operations and internal reviews of government agencies, who may never work for public accounting firms. Makes sense to me.

Here's their experience definition:

“‘Experience' means employment in academia, a firm, government, or industry in any capacity involving the substantial use of accounting, financial, tax, or other skills that are relevant, as determined by the Board, to provide services to an employer using the CPA title or to the public using the CPA title.”

[CPA Dex]

I'm getting mine in North Dakota. The requirements are very simple and do not have to have a CPA confirm your experience. It seems as if a lot of people get theirs in Colorado though. I haven't looked into why but I'm sure there is some kind of a loophole.

[Minimorty]

Sounds like North Dakota pretty much has a loophole as well.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that while all states have different licensing requirements, they also have different rules about who can use the CPA designation in their state. In California, out of state licensees cannot use the CPA designation in California until they have gone through the process of obtaining the right to practice public accountancy in California, and obtained a California CPA license. So dont think just because you've found a way to get licensed in a different state that you can use that CPA designation on your resume when looking for jobs in the state you plan to work in.

[Author]

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