[Anonymous]

I was working under a Controller for this Financial firm for a year now. He is a CPA of NY. I asked him today to fill out this work experience form since I just reached the one year mark:

https://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/cpa/cpa4b.pdf

He said he would, but after he spoke to his boss (the CFO), he said that the only category listed on the form that I fulfilled was Category E- Bookkeeping. He said if he submits this form with just 100% Bookkeeping, there is a good chance I can get denied, so he told me to wait a few months and they will give me more work on Financial Statements and Taxes and therefore, he can spread out the percentages and I’ll more likely get approved. So, he told me to hang onto the form, he’ll give me more work in the other categories and he’ll fill it out in March.

Ok, maybe he’s right. But the thing is… I applied for this job and it was made clear in the job description that they want someone who is going for their CPA. When I interviewed with them, I told them that the 1 year experience was the last requirement I needed to meet in order to get that license. They were happy about that and that’s why they hired me. But now, one year later after working a brutal 50 hours each week for lousy pay, they suddenly tell me that they didn’t give me all the work necessary?? What the heck??

Is this fair? Should I really wait a few more months or start looking for another job? Because I have a funny feeling that they don’t want to sign the form and this is just an excuse to prolong it.

What do you think? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Unless there is more to the conversation between you and your boss, I don't think it sounds shady at all. My boss has never signed a form and truthfully I haven't looked at the form for FL either so it could be that I would be in the same boat when it's time to sign. Thanks for the head's up. I'll pull the form today to see what's on there. Anyways–what they say makes sense to me and I agree that the Boards are very vague about a lot of things. I second the person that said to call the board and see if 100% bookkeeping will pass the requirements. If so, tell your boss and have them sign it now. HOWEVER, if they are serious about the other job duties I would personally wait even if the board says 100% bookkeeping will work because the additional work experience would be great for your resume.

[M.O.D.]

What is acceptable experience?

An applicant must present evidence, satisfactory to the State Board for Public Accountancy, of full-time experience providing accounting services or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills under the supervision of a certified public accountant licensed in one of the U.S. jurisdictions or a public accountant licensed in New York State. Acceptable experience may be earned in a public accounting firm, government, private industry or an educational institution.

I would think bookkeeping is “providing accounting services” and fully qualifies. There is no requirement for partial percentages that I read in this form.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

What is acceptable experience?

An applicant must present evidence, satisfactory to the State Board for Public Accountancy, of full-time experience providing accounting services or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills under the supervision of a certified public accountant licensed in one of the U.S. jurisdictions or a public accountant licensed in New York State. Acceptable experience may be earned in a public accounting firm, government, private industry or an educational institution.

I would think bookkeeping is “providing accounting services” and fully qualifies. There is no requirement for partial percentages that I read in this form.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

Do you have a copy of your job description? I would have them complete the form and submit it to the board with a copy of your job description printed on their letterhead. What jerks! I'm sorry you have to deal with this!

[Anonymous]

Do you have a copy of your job description? I would have them complete the form and submit it to the board with a copy of your job description printed on their letterhead. What jerks! I'm sorry you have to deal with this!

[Gatorbates]

I have no clue about anything in NY (except I sat in the hot seat in front of Regis there), but to me, this sounds shady. It sounds like this, at least to me,: you've passed the exam … Licensed CPAs make more money and have a hell of a lot more opportunities. He knows he has you by the throat and is using that as leverage to keep you through busy season. Sounds like A prick to me. Contact the NYBOA and see what they say.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

I have no clue about anything in NY (except I sat in the hot seat in front of Regis there), but to me, this sounds shady. It sounds like this, at least to me,: you've passed the exam … Licensed CPAs make more money and have a hell of a lot more opportunities. He knows he has you by the throat and is using that as leverage to keep you through busy season. Sounds like A prick to me. Contact the NYBOA and see what they say.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Shawn7]

@CPAMan, your boss wants to keep you for the busy season may be, all we know if you have 1 year experience under active CPA that's it bla bla bla leave to the state, fill out the application send to the state if state returns it doesn't mean your disqualified for lifetime they will give you written explanation why your are denied, then just fulfill those requirements which is rare. Its normal sometimes you will find so called extra professionals so that they will not give you an increment or they don't want to see new CPA.

[Shawn7]

@CPAMan, your boss wants to keep you for the busy season may be, all we know if you have 1 year experience under active CPA that's it bla bla bla leave to the state, fill out the application send to the state if state returns it doesn't mean your disqualified for lifetime they will give you written explanation why your are denied, then just fulfill those requirements which is rare. Its normal sometimes you will find so called extra professionals so that they will not give you an increment or they don't want to see new CPA.

[Shawn7]

@Gatorbates, nice explanation and practical advice in my view,,

[Shawn7]

@Gatorbates, nice explanation and practical advice in my view,,

[Anonymous]

I sent the Board an email. I'm sure they get tons of them, so I doubt I'll get a response. If I don't, I'll call them when I have the time. At 50 hours a week at work, I don't get much time to do anything, but I'll try.

I may consider waiting until March and if he has some excuse, I will just tell him to put in 100% bookkeeping and let it be. There's really not much I can do. But I will pound on him on a regular basis to make sure he gives me that extra work that he promised.

This is an absolute nightmare. I cannot believe it has to be this hard to get a license. And here I was thinking that after passing the exams, the hard part was over. Boy, was I wrong.

[Anonymous]

I sent the Board an email. I'm sure they get tons of them, so I doubt I'll get a response. If I don't, I'll call them when I have the time. At 50 hours a week at work, I don't get much time to do anything, but I'll try.

I may consider waiting until March and if he has some excuse, I will just tell him to put in 100% bookkeeping and let it be. There's really not much I can do. But I will pound on him on a regular basis to make sure he gives me that extra work that he promised.

This is an absolute nightmare. I cannot believe it has to be this hard to get a license. And here I was thinking that after passing the exams, the hard part was over. Boy, was I wrong.

[Anonymous]

I got hold of the board of accountancy and they said they are vague for a reason. If they tell you what % of what category is needed, the employer might lie. By not saying, it forces the employer to tell the truth. So the guy on the phone said to have my employer fill out the form truthfully and they will get back to me on whether I met all the requirements.

Kinda ridiculous! I guess my employer might be right. I spoke to my boss again and he said he can fill it out if I really want, but if I get rejected, it could be more of a pain for me.

[Anonymous]

I got hold of the board of accountancy and they said they are vague for a reason. If they tell you what % of what category is needed, the employer might lie. By not saying, it forces the employer to tell the truth. So the guy on the phone said to have my employer fill out the form truthfully and they will get back to me on whether I met all the requirements.

Kinda ridiculous! I guess my employer might be right. I spoke to my boss again and he said he can fill it out if I really want, but if I get rejected, it could be more of a pain for me.

[Author]

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