[GoBears123]

I saw a thread like this for past years, so I’m starting one for 2018.

Here’s where I’m at so far:

2/26/18 — mailed in full application, with all requirements completed

3/19/18 — $250 application fee check cashed

Now waiting for some type of word from the CBA.

Gotta say — the CBA is SUPER frustrating to deal with.

Anyone else going through the the same waiting game??

FAR - 6/4/16 - 82
AUD - 8/27/16
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

[adtejeda]

Hi all,

Just a quick update on my timeline. I am officially a CPA!

Note: Application was originally received in January 2017 and was reviewed, but I had to take the ethics course.
1/13/2018 – CBA received my final transcript based on the tracking info.
3/15/18 – CBA received all information to complete my application.
5/29/18 – my application was approved. Yay!
6/8/18 – CBA received my initial license fee check.
6/22/18 – CBA cashed check
7/5/18 – License number issued.

I have not received the certificate in the mail, but at this point I don't care because at least now I can update my title and get new business cards haha

[cpacandidate408]

Update on my status:

2/6 Sent in mail certified application

2/15 Application Fee Cashed

2/23 Received acknowledgement card from CBA saying they have received application and will send a status letter within 30 days

4/30 Received acknowledgement from CBA requesting corrected experience information

5/8 Employer sent corrected experience information to CBA

5/24 CBA received corrected work experience and noted that application is in queue for analyst review

STILL WAITING UGHHHH

[lurking_CPA]

Yet another update:

4/6/18 – submitted fingerprints and $250 check
4/24/18 – cashiering at CBA claims they cashed my check
5/15/18 – check actually cashed, shows a deposit date of 4/9/18 so wow – what took so long?
6/27/18 – received a letter claiming i forgot to submit the criminal convection form with my application which is impossible. faxed, email, and mailed the form again
7/3/18 – received a letter stating everything was “in” and expect a reply in 4-6 weeks (hopefully the next reply will be for the final fee for license #)

What is upsetting me about this delay is I have several trainings this month that qualify for CPE credit that I won't get credit for.

I will also have to get a second set of business cards that say “CPA” at the end because my work WANTS me to display my active license ASAP.

Thanks CBA…. you've inconvenienced me during testing process, the application process, and I can't wait to get CPE audited!!! It's going to be a blast dealing with you guys for the rest of my career!

[CPA788]

@jimps88 @hecubus330 @adtejeda – YEEHAW freakin' awesome!

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[MaLoTu]

I submitted my application and payment on May 13th (I think) and just called the CBA. The lady said that she thinks they have given up all together on sending the postcards, lol. She also said that I was probably looking at another 8 weeks before I have a final answer -____-

It did not sound like they were getting their stuff together — it is just as bad as it has been.

[kecander]

Submitted my application on 4/26/18
Received notice of received application postmarked 5/30/18
Called 7/12/18 to check status of application and was told that they haven't gotten to my application yet and it will be a “few more weeks”. When I asked if there was a more specific timeline, she just said she's not sure.

May be a blessing in disguise because my experience form was submitted much later than I thought. I sent the attest license experience form to my manager on 4/20/18 and got word back on 4/23/18 that he would forward to the partner for signature. On 6/2/18, the manager informed me that the partner wanted me to send it directly to him so I did. On 6/21/18, the partner emailed me, letting me know that the signed form was going out in the mail that afternoon.

Oh well. No longer working in public accounting anymore so the designation isn't as big of a deal. That said, it would still be nice to have the license in hand after all of these years.

[lurking_CPA]

What kills me about this is I had to already attend 30+ hours CPE eligible training for work and I'm getting no credit for it towards my CPA.

[Anonymous]

CBA cashed my initial license fee check on 7/2. I called yesterday to check on the status and was told it would be a few more weeks.

So, it's been 5 months since I submitted my application. It was preapproved a month ago and I mailed in my check the next day.

So, so frustrating.

[rwglapalma]

I checked this morning and my license number was officially issued yesterday, I am a CPA!
I'm wondering if they only post new numbers on Thursday's? I didn't want to search for it but I feel like two people recently had their license numbers also issued on Thursday. Who knows with this process…

For those that don't want to scroll through the whole thread my experience was:
2/5/18 – application received by CBA (sent certified mail return receipt requested)
2/14/18 – check cashed (Happy Valentine's Day!)
3/25/18 – called CBA licensing to request a status update on my application. Woman I spoke to stated they were still processing applications from late January and to expect 8-10 week delay which now I think means 8-10 weeks on top of the 4-6 weeks expected processing time
4/23/18 – called CBA and was told my license went through the first screening and was on to the second one, should hear back by the end of June
5/12/18 – Received a letter from CBA that my application was under review
6/21/18 – Called CBA for a status update, was told my pre-approval letter had been sent, was sent an email with a copy dated 5/18/18 that I had been approved, remit the fee etc. etc. Sent out fee same day certified mail
6/25/18/ – Initial license fee received by the CBA
6/28/18 – Initial license fee cashed by the CBA
7/19/18 – License number issued
7/20/18 – License number showing on CBA website, now I need to start looking for CPE

Good luck to everyone else waiting, your time will come!
Thank you Jeff for hosting this forum and for the NINJA products

[turo9992000]

Congratulations @Rwglapalma.

[Anonymous]

Final update:

9/19/17: received last 2 passing scores
Feb 2018 and prior: sent everything other than application and work experience to CBA
2/05/18: work FedEx'd the experience form
2/07/18: mailed application
2/15/18: check was cashed
2/24/18: received postcard
4/2/18: called for status and was told they were missing the criminal conviction disclosure form and that I could email it, so I did that day. They saidthey have everything else but my file hadn't been reviewed yet.
6/21/18: received my pre-authorization letter
6/22/18: mailed my check for the initial license fee
7/02/18: initial license fee check cashed (per my bank)
7/20/18: name showed up on license lookup (updated 7/19), officially a CPA

So, roughly 5.5 months for the application process, and 10 months to the day I received my last passing score, though most of that was waiting on my employer to turn in my experience form. Such a long, long process, but so glad it is finally over.

[GoBears123]

Happy to hear of folks actually making it to the finish line!

Here's the latest update on my epic saga:

2/26/18 — mailed in full application, with all requirements completed

3/19/18 — $250 application fee check cashed

4/7/18 — received postcard from CBA (postmarked 4/3/18) acknowledging they received my application

5/11/18 — received letter from CBA saying I need to work with the Illinois accounting board on verifying the license of the person signing off on my experience requirement

5/16/18 — mailed request to Illinois board for verification. Their estimate is 4 weeks. (CBA says once they get this they’ll need another 8-10 weeks for “final review”)

6/25/18 – Illinois board cashed my $20 check. Called them to check on processing. They said processing now takes 4 weeks

6/27/18 – received letter from CBA saying my application will be put on hold in 60 days if they don't get the verification

7/25/18 – called Illinois board to check on processing my verification. They said it was sent to California on 7/18/18. Called CBA, they haven't received yet — but they DID commit to getting back to me by the end of the week

The bad news is: The CBA told me I still have a few MONTHS left before this saga is complete. Sigh….

FAR - 6/4/16 - 82
AUD - 8/27/16
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

[GoBears123]

Finally a breakthrough!

Here's my updated log:

2/26/18 — mailed in full application, with all requirements completed

3/19/18 — $250 application fee check cashed

4/7/18 — received postcard from CBA (postmarked 4/3/18) acknowledging they received my application

5/11/18 — received letter from CBA saying I need to work with the Illinois accounting board on verifying the license of the person signing off on my experience requirement

5/16/18 — mailed request to Illinois board for verification. Their estimate is 4 weeks. (CBA says once they get this they’ll need another 8-10 weeks for “final review”)

6/25/18 – Illinois board cashed my $20 check. Called them to check on processing. They said processing now takes 4 weeks

6/27/18 – received letter from CBA saying my application will be put on hold in 60 days if they don't get the verification

7/25/18 – called Illinois board to check on processing my verification. They said it was sent to California on 7/18/18. Called CBA, they haven't received yet — but they DID commit to getting back to me by the end of the week

7/27/18 — the CBA actually called me and were actually helpful! They confirmed they got what they needed from Illinois, and I have been moved into FINAL REVIEW! They said final review will take 8-10 weeks, but at least I'm making progress

The saga continues….

FAR - 6/4/16 - 82
AUD - 8/27/16
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

[tbdice]

I can finally join this post. 🙂

9/2017 – Passed all of my exams
7/20/18 – Submitted my application, did live screen, firm submitted my audit hours, I have my MSA so I have all my educational credits
8/03/18 – CBA cashed my check
8/07/18 – Received my postcard post dated 8/3
8/07/18 – Passed my ethics exam

Now I get to do the waiting game. Hopefully it won't be too long.

[TommyTheCat]

well I clearly spoke too soon earlier in this thread when I speculated that the CBA was catching up on their processing times. To add my full timeline to this thread, and then vent and bitch about it…

6/18 mailed in application for initial licensure. At this time I had already completed livescan fingerprinting, ethics exam, passed all 4 parts. CBA had my initial transcript obviously when they processed my application to take the exams. I was 27 units shy of the 225 requirement
6/28 CBA cashed my application fee check for $250
6/30 completed final quarter at foothill CC online, completing the 27 units needed.
7/8 received confirmation that foothill had sent my final transcript to CBA
7/13 received postcard from CBA confiming receipt of my application and stating they'd get back to me on my application within 30 days
8/13 called CBA for a status update. Was told my application had not been assigned out to anyone to review. Paused for dramatic effect on the phone, then asked the lady on the phone to repeat that. She acknowledged that they were behind on their processing times and that I should call back in a few weeks to check again.

So frustrated. The CBA is a flippin joke

[Author]

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