[Last Chance CPA]

Hello. Last Chance CPA here. I have not posted in a couple of years, as I passed the exams 4 years ago.

I am on the wrong side of 40 now still working in IT/business consulting. I have tried all kinds of ways to move into finance/accounting, but to no avail. I even interviewed with my former employer KPMG for an audit type role, perfectly clarified that I am willing to take a step or two back, but no job offer. Note: I was previously with the IT Enablement group at KPMG, working on healthcare IT implementations.

Maybe sour grapes, but I find it ridiculous that I have not been able to move into finance/accounting after having passed the CPA exams. I don’t understand the need for the work experience (e.g., CA) since work has changed so much over the decades. Job titles have changed dramatically, and the world of finance and technology have merged like a storm.

If you pass bar exam, you are an Esquire. If you pass medical school, you are an MD (with 3 years of residency – lol!). If you pass the CFA exams, you can put those initials next to your name immediately. Why does a CPA have to complete 12 months of general accounting experience and 500 hours of attest experience in CA? There should be a path for non-traditional CPAs to get those letters next to their name.

There are fintech jobs out there where I would be a great fit. And the CPA combined with the IT experience would be valuable in these roles. Passing the CPA exams was my greatest academic achievement, even more than the MBA, PMP, and CISA certs. Seems like a waste.

Regardless, I am experienced and doing well in the healthcare consulting space. Who knows what the future holds. I remember starting this process when I turned 35 and here am I now…

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks monikernc. I love Denver and surrounding areas. My wife travels there for work twice a year and I usually go with her. We will probably stay in San Diego for the time being, but would be great to get your LinkedIn if the site allows it.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[hashbrown]

Have you looked at the NASBA Experience Verification process. More hoops to jump through, but it may be an option.

[monikernc]

Hashbrown NASBA verification is only available to candidates in a handful of states. I am not a candidate in those and most have residency requirements.

LastChance – I am taking a hard look at Montana today – you only have to have one year of experience verified by a CPA licensed in any state and no residency or auditing requirement. The education is the same as NC. The downside is that NASBA does all the work for them and it requires an official transcript from every school I attended for undergraduate. I have had a problem with my first college having lost records – so this may not work for me but it could work for you. If I can get the transcript I have colleagues who may be willing to verify by following up with the CPA firms that have provided affidavits of some of my experience and the attorney I work for now. Then I have to go through the reciprocity process with CO where I live and work and hope they will recognize my license. CO won't work because they require 3 specific classes that I don't have and direct supervision by a CPA. What a racket! I should know in the next few days whether I can get the one transcript. Let me know what you think.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks monikernc, but I think my opportunity has passed. I need to focus on healthcare consulting as my primary career. Just your explanation above plus all the other research I have been doing this week makes me realize even more just how absurd the process is to obtain the license.

Like I mentioned, I will try to get some satisfaction by getting a side hustle – e.g., taxes.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[monikernc]

Well LastChance, I understand your response but please know that I have you to thank for igniting my search on this. I have resolved the issue with my transcript already – much easier than anticipated, thankfully. I am going to start gathering everything now for submission at the end of the year and fingers crossed I will get a license in Montana that CO will recognize. My next post will be asking if anyone licensed in MT has used reciprocity in CO and what it took to get it. SO, big thanks to you. My journey might actually have the happy ending I have been working toward.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Skynet]

Whose idea was it to disturb me while I was making out with several Victoria Secret Model?

Was that you Last Chance CPA?

[Last Chance CPA]

@monikernc – No problem at all! We are all here to help each other 🙂

@skynet – Good to see you again! I am glad you are all here to amuse yourselves when you could be out there changing the world 🙂

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[jombe]

I saw Denver in this thread and just wanted to point out that I currently work in Denver area and we just had our first snow today. It went from 83 degrees to 30 degrees in about 12 hrs. And, true story about traffic getting worse.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[monikernc]

JOMBE, I am in NOCO and yes snow it did…temps did drop fast! almost gone now though!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Author]

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