[Mathgirl7]

So frustrated with the CBA, I am trying to finish the last three months of work experience I need. They keep telling me one thing over the phone and the opposite when I try to get it in writing. I asked if consulting for a client that is an active cpa would count and they said no (not sure why) and then I asked if I temped through an agency for an active cpa if that would count and they said yes. When I asked what the difference between the two scenarios was I was told to get a lawyer… I just don’t want to temp for three months and make a quarter of the money I usually do just to have them say the experience doesn’t count. Any advice?

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[How many letters do you need]

I've been on the fence about the work requirement as well. From what I can gather, the work experience is supposed to be for an active CPA who is in a supervisory role and reviews your work. From that perspective, a client who is a CPA is not a supervisor, and really as a consultant you are supposed to be the “expert”. I get that a temp environment is different from a consulting environment, but I don't think the CBA sees it that way. Conversely, when you work for a consulting company where there is a partner who is a CPA, although that person doesn't directly review your work they are your supervisor and will be sure to hear about it if you are doing a poor job. I know it's a little twisted since the client is going to be much more familiar with your work than the agency, but when you consider it from a consulting perspective, you work for the agency you don't work for the client (unless you are an independent). Interestingly, if you were an independent, meaning you work for yourself, I think that would qualify. Of course, this is all my perspective from what I know of the experience requirements and consulting. Who knows what the CBA will say?

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Mathgirl7]

I am ok with whatever they define it as but the fact that they keep saying one thing and writing another is frustrating me. To clarify I own my own consulting business and that is what they said would not qualify. They said if I went through a temp service and temped for the same client it would qualify. The problem is they wont put the second scenario in writing and I can't take that big of a hit for nothing. I am just confused how anybody is supposed to know what the CBA regulations mean if the CBA doesn't even know. Maybe I should become a partnership with a CPA? Then my work would qualify? Sigh…

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[How many letters do you need]

Mathgirl: Oh I see. That is terribly ass backwards if you ask me. I don't get the logic. The handbook specifically states consulting as a field that is considered as general accounting experience but I guess it's all in how you define consulting. Do you, as an independent, have a gig set up? Do you know anybody in a smaller consulting company? I'd bet you they would give you a solid rate if you also bring them the job….

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Mathgirl7]

Yeah I do not understand the reasoning for not counting the consulting either. I do have an ongoing project that I will continue after my disability leave (I just had a baby). I was able to get a hold of a manager at the CBA today and she put in writing that a temp position would count. Hooray!! Now I just need to find someone to temp through 🙂

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[How many letters do you need]

Mathgirl: I'm sure you can dial up Robert Half or something :). If you want a better rate though I would look for smaller companies. The best rates I've had are with smaller companies who don't have the rediculous overhead 🙂

Good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Author]

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