[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]

I'm not denying that they could be right. In fact, their reason sounds valid. And like I said, just the fact that my boss said he would fill it out now if I want just shows that he's not refusing in any way. He just doesn't want me to get denied, which is why he is strongly recommending that I wait. So, it seems clear that he's not pulling my leg. However, what kind of annoys me is the fact that they knew about my desire to get this work experience from the very beginning and it was agreed upon on the interview that they will offer me that. So, I don't know why they didn't make sure from the very beginning that they were giving me the proper work. Perhaps this was partly my fault because maybe I should have shown them the form from the beginning to ensure that they knew what the board expects from this work experience. The only reason I didn't do so was because I was under the impression that these CPAs know what they're doing. I guess I assumed wrong.

Anways, what's done is done. Now they know and they promise make this right in only a few months, which doesn't sound too unreasonable. It could be worse; they could make me wait 6 months or more, but they're only asking for a few, so it's only fair that I wait until then. But this will be a test to see whether I can trust their word.

[Anonymous]

I'm not denying that they could be right. In fact, their reason sounds valid. And like I said, just the fact that my boss said he would fill it out now if I want just shows that he's not refusing in any way. He just doesn't want me to get denied, which is why he is strongly recommending that I wait. So, it seems clear that he's not pulling my leg. However, what kind of annoys me is the fact that they knew about my desire to get this work experience from the very beginning and it was agreed upon on the interview that they will offer me that. So, I don't know why they didn't make sure from the very beginning that they were giving me the proper work. Perhaps this was partly my fault because maybe I should have shown them the form from the beginning to ensure that they knew what the board expects from this work experience. The only reason I didn't do so was because I was under the impression that these CPAs know what they're doing. I guess I assumed wrong.

Anways, what's done is done. Now they know and they promise make this right in only a few months, which doesn't sound too unreasonable. It could be worse; they could make me wait 6 months or more, but they're only asking for a few, so it's only fair that I wait until then. But this will be a test to see whether I can trust their word.

[Study Monk]

I don't know if I am looking at the right form but the California General Experience form looks like the partner just has to sign it off and fill in the dates you worked. No room for any written description of what work you performed. That sound about right tough kitty or other CALI people?

@CPA Man With your tests complete you could always try to get a job with another public accounting firm and put another year in as a worst case scenario. On your way out ask your boss to sign off on your experience and see his true colors.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I don't know if I am looking at the right form but the California General Experience form looks like the partner just has to sign it off and fill in the dates you worked. No room for any written description of what work you performed. That sound about right tough kitty or other CALI people?

@CPA Man With your tests complete you could always try to get a job with another public accounting firm and put another year in as a worst case scenario. On your way out ask your boss to sign off on your experience and see his true colors.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

or email him a link to this post!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

or email him a link to this post!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

I understand your frustration with the fact that they know you needed the experience, but just keep in mind that you said they seemed a little shocked when they saw the form. They probably thought they were giving you the experience you needed. I learned from your post that I needed to get the forms and give it to my boss so she would make sure she would be able to sign off on it by the time I am done with the exam since she has never seen the form or needed to sign anything like that before. Thank you for posting and don't forget to press your company to get the experience you need. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I understand your frustration with the fact that they know you needed the experience, but just keep in mind that you said they seemed a little shocked when they saw the form. They probably thought they were giving you the experience you needed. I learned from your post that I needed to get the forms and give it to my boss so she would make sure she would be able to sign off on it by the time I am done with the exam since she has never seen the form or needed to sign anything like that before. Thank you for posting and don't forget to press your company to get the experience you need. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Well what do you know! The state board of accountancy finally replied to my email I sent a month ago and they gave me a better answer. The person said any category on the form is acceptable; even bookkeeping. There is no requirement to meet a certain percentage in a certain category. I showed the email to my boss and he said he will fill out the form now.

[Anonymous]

Well what do you know! The state board of accountancy finally replied to my email I sent a month ago and they gave me a better answer. The person said any category on the form is acceptable; even bookkeeping. There is no requirement to meet a certain percentage in a certain category. I showed the email to my boss and he said he will fill out the form now.

[Author]

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