[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]

First your boss does sound shady. Sorry they need the extra hands! if you are confident just submit your experience and deal with the outcome because then you will know what you need. IMO Experience is debatable, because when you move to a new employer you need to train how they operate. Most companies have different accounting policies and different management bottom line is you will still need to train. The whole thing about experience is just for the BOD to cover their a*** because good skilled accountants know how to think beyond FS and day to day practices and that type of skill is acquired over years of working for different industries and working on different parts of FS, Management accounting, (Incl. budgeting) Financial Analysis and Accounting related roles. Not just auditing but getting your hands dirty.

Most companies have teams working on FS, Tax department handling specific topics only small firms handing small clients can have the hands on experience of creating financials from scratch to filing taxes. Even with that there's software involved most people don't do free hand and don't even know what a journal book or ledger book looks like. If we went back to the dark ages only few would survive balancing BS on TB book. Writing BS notes by hand (Yep you can tell I am ancient, history of accounting)

Back to the topic…All I am saying is take a chance because the person reviewing your experience might not even be an accountant and if I read your comments correctly you already had 1 year prior experience before your current employer if yes, then the bookkeeping experience would be in addition to the prior experience making it 2 yrs. Remember you don't have to meet all requirements and just the most important ones. The CPA has the most lax rules in experience compared to being a Charted Accountant (You're allowed to obtain your experience from certain companies approved by the CA Board “monopoly”). Versus CPA a “we trust you” and self reporting system.

You can do this and good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should have mentioned this earlier, but my company does its performance evaluations in the beginning of April every year. That is when they give raises and bonuses. It could be that my boss wants me to wait a few months because that'll be the best time to promote me after they sign off on my work experience. Obviously, if they do it now, I may want a raise and/or promotion before that time and if I don't get it, I might leave.

Of course, this is just a guess. But perhaps, I should give them the benefit of the doubt and wait the few months. It's not like he refused completely. He did say he would fill out the form if I really want him to, but to reduce the risk of getting declined, he strongly recommends I wait a few months so he can give me some work in the other categories so they can spread out the percentages and make it look better, thereby increasing my chances of getting approved.

I know this is shady, but that's because the work experience requirement here in NY is shady. I know my boss should have been better prepared for this, but when he read the form I gave him, he was just as shocked as I was at how vague it was. So, like I said, I'll give them a chance. If they still play the same game in a few months, then I'll just ask them to fill out the form anyway and if it gets rejected, I will look elsewhere for another job that can fulfill the extra work experience I need. In the meantime, I will stay on top of them to make sure they will give me the work they promised me. He assured me they will, but I will stay on top of them anyway.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should have mentioned this earlier, but my company does its performance evaluations in the beginning of April every year. That is when they give raises and bonuses. It could be that my boss wants me to wait a few months because that'll be the best time to promote me after they sign off on my work experience. Obviously, if they do it now, I may want a raise and/or promotion before that time and if I don't get it, I might leave.

Of course, this is just a guess. But perhaps, I should give them the benefit of the doubt and wait the few months. It's not like he refused completely. He did say he would fill out the form if I really want him to, but to reduce the risk of getting declined, he strongly recommends I wait a few months so he can give me some work in the other categories so they can spread out the percentages and make it look better, thereby increasing my chances of getting approved.

I know this is shady, but that's because the work experience requirement here in NY is shady. I know my boss should have been better prepared for this, but when he read the form I gave him, he was just as shocked as I was at how vague it was. So, like I said, I'll give them a chance. If they still play the same game in a few months, then I'll just ask them to fill out the form anyway and if it gets rejected, I will look elsewhere for another job that can fulfill the extra work experience I need. In the meantime, I will stay on top of them to make sure they will give me the work they promised me. He assured me they will, but I will stay on top of them anyway.

[tough_kitty]

Well, based on the response you received from the board, I think you are better off waiting it out a few more months. And yes, I agree, they should have known better! But if you like working for them, you should stick around.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Well, based on the response you received from the board, I think you are better off waiting it out a few more months. And yes, I agree, they should have known better! But if you like working for them, you should stick around.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

This happened to a coworker of mine. He and I were both working for a CPA to get experience. He'd been there a year and applied for his license but because he had been preparing sales tax and payroll as part of his duties, they denied it. The SC state board talked to the CPA and they agreed if he worked through another tax season, he'd meet the requirements.

After that, I made it clear I would not work on anything that “didn't count”. It took me well over a year since I couldn't work more than 40 hours a week, I skipped lunch every day, continuing education “didn't count” nor did holidays and vacation, and I also had another job. My advice would be to keep a time sheet every day of every hour you worked and what you worked on. I had to supply the board with a spreadsheet of my weekly hours.

Hopefully the board will recognize your experience, if not, you should only have a few more months to go.

[Anonymous]

This happened to a coworker of mine. He and I were both working for a CPA to get experience. He'd been there a year and applied for his license but because he had been preparing sales tax and payroll as part of his duties, they denied it. The SC state board talked to the CPA and they agreed if he worked through another tax season, he'd meet the requirements.

After that, I made it clear I would not work on anything that “didn't count”. It took me well over a year since I couldn't work more than 40 hours a week, I skipped lunch every day, continuing education “didn't count” nor did holidays and vacation, and I also had another job. My advice would be to keep a time sheet every day of every hour you worked and what you worked on. I had to supply the board with a spreadsheet of my weekly hours.

Hopefully the board will recognize your experience, if not, you should only have a few more months to go.

[Anonymous]

They don't count # of hours. The form says you must work 35-40 hours a week, excluding overtime. I work 50 hours a week, so that should count. I already met the time required (i.e. one year, full time); what we're worried about is the kind of work I'm doing. One category might not be sufficient and could get a rejection.

[Anonymous]

They don't count # of hours. The form says you must work 35-40 hours a week, excluding overtime. I work 50 hours a week, so that should count. I already met the time required (i.e. one year, full time); what we're worried about is the kind of work I'm doing. One category might not be sufficient and could get a rejection.

[ipasscpa]

If you don't mind being licensed in any other state, try that option also. VA doesn't require your supervisor to be CPA. And your experience should be sufficient enough too.

CPA- VA

[ipasscpa]

If you don't mind being licensed in any other state, try that option also. VA doesn't require your supervisor to be CPA. And your experience should be sufficient enough too.

CPA- VA

[Anonymous]

Hi CPAMan! First of all, you are absolutely right, the actual licensure/application process is much more of a pain in the neck than the actual tests are…I remember having to convince the senior partner at my firm why I qualified for different buckets and what I did that qualified. It's almost like a sales pitch to be a CPA.

Secondly, I disagree with the opinion that your boss is being shady. I think he/she really does have your best interests at heart. I know that in my state, there were several buckets and the lady at my state BoA said it would not look great if certain buckets were not hit and that it may get denied. I don't think there is an ulterior motive to keep you down or from succeeding…sounds pretty paranoid to me. But you know your bosses better than I do. However, I DO agree that from this point forward, you need to make sure you are getting additional experience in those other buckets.

Hope it works out for you. But try not to look at the people in your professional life as people whose ultimate goal is to screw you. Those people will become valuable parts of your professional network that you may leverage for your entire career. Good luck, CPAMan!

[Anonymous]

Hi CPAMan! First of all, you are absolutely right, the actual licensure/application process is much more of a pain in the neck than the actual tests are…I remember having to convince the senior partner at my firm why I qualified for different buckets and what I did that qualified. It's almost like a sales pitch to be a CPA.

Secondly, I disagree with the opinion that your boss is being shady. I think he/she really does have your best interests at heart. I know that in my state, there were several buckets and the lady at my state BoA said it would not look great if certain buckets were not hit and that it may get denied. I don't think there is an ulterior motive to keep you down or from succeeding…sounds pretty paranoid to me. But you know your bosses better than I do. However, I DO agree that from this point forward, you need to make sure you are getting additional experience in those other buckets.

Hope it works out for you. But try not to look at the people in your professional life as people whose ultimate goal is to screw you. Those people will become valuable parts of your professional network that you may leverage for your entire career. Good luck, CPAMan!

[koz124]

I agree that your boss probably has your best interest in mind. I'm in another state, so I'm not going to be much help in regards to facts, but in WI it states that bookkeeping is not experience. That may be where they are coming from. It is very unfortunate that your past won't help you, but now you know and can demand the right type of experience.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[koz124]

I agree that your boss probably has your best interest in mind. I'm in another state, so I'm not going to be much help in regards to facts, but in WI it states that bookkeeping is not experience. That may be where they are coming from. It is very unfortunate that your past won't help you, but now you know and can demand the right type of experience.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[Author]

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