[ct0516]

Hello- I am pretty sure this has been discussed, but cannot find a topic specific to Colorado. I have my MS in Accounting, and I had a capstone class that of course covered ethics, but I don’t have a class that specifically has “accounting ethics” in the title. Has anyone applied in CO and had this be an issue? Has your application for your license been denied only because of this?

I have called my board (and emailed) but have not received a response from them.

[MommyCPA]

I am curious about this as well, also in CO…following 🙂

[Accountant183748]

Unfortunately, the class needs to focus on accounting ethics, they won't even take business ethics.

That's what they told me anyway

[ct0516]

I heard back from the board (or rather NASBA since they facilitate the process) and he said that 3 credit hours of accounting ethics is needed. It needs to be an entire class devoted to ethics… So it's my understanding that if the class doesn't have Accounting and Ethics in the title, you will have to be able to prove otherwise that the class was an ethics class. He said that right now, that is the biggest reason for denials of licenses. 🙁 So- I guess I'm taking Accounting Ethics. Yeah. I did find one that starts in January, online for 8 weeks at CSU Global.

[Namstut]

@ct0516 just to clarify, when you applied to sit for a CPA you were approved just based on the number of accounting and business credits but for licensing you are required to take more.

It looks like I will have to do Accounting Ethics in addition to Audit credits that I think I am missing. I am in CO as well.

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[ct0516]

@Namstrut Yes, after taking to them this is my understanding. I have enough credits actually to get my license, its that I don't have the specific credits. Of the 150 hours, 6 must be in auditing, and 3 must be accounting ethics. It can't be a general business ethics. If you have a class you think might qualify, it wouldn't hurt to call and see before signing up.

[T Rev]

I don't know that most colleges even offer an Ethics course specifically for Accounting, or how that would differ from Ethics in general… I am one exam from being done, and would rather transfer my credits to another state than pay $800 for someone to tell me not to be a POS.

For the folks that have encountered this, how were you most easily able to satisfy the requirement?

[Accountant183748]

It is kind of annoying! I took the class from CSU Global. It was 8 weeks long, but $1500

[ct0516]

@Trevor – yes it is frustrating, when I finished my master's they didn't have a specific accounting ethics course (granted I graduated 8 years ago). I think the board is really started hammering that, and some of the schools haven't caught up yet. I do know that UCD has a specific accounting ethics course. It is more expensive though- and I'm doing the CSU Global since its online and *slightly* cheaper, although by no means cheap.

@Vanche – what was your experience with the class at CSU Global? Have you applied for your license?

[Accountant183748]

The class was pretty easy. We had initial discussions due every Thursday and then replies and a 5 page paper due every Sunday. Week 8 we had a portfolio project due, which was a 10 page paper. I do think the class had me think about things in different perspectives though. It was like a refresher as I did take Ethics and Business Ethics, but it had been about 6 years. Still I'm not sure why they don't accept Business Ethics and why it has to be specific to accounting.

[T Rev]

Were you provided any specific verbiage on this? Has it always been a requirement for licensure? Not sure how I would have overlooked this…

[A]

The “accounting ethics” requirement in CO was added in July 2015. The specific language and description can be found on the Colorado DORA site. Thankfully, my alma mater was proactive and offered a specific course on a pointing ethics prior to the application of the new requirement.

If you're concerned about having 6 hours of audit, a forensic accounting or fraud examination course will count.

B - 77 (2.27.16)
A - 81 (4.18.16)
R -
F -

Roger Review + Ninja MCQs

[Namstut]

@ct0516 thanks! Yap, it looks like I will have to get 3 more audit credits and the accounting ethics credit. I graduated a while ago and got my MBA over 5 years ago. It sucks that you do not “inherit” the old requirements based on your graduation date.

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[ct0516]

@Namstut you're welcome, although sorry to be the messenger. I was in the same boat, I knew there were changes in 2015, but figured I didn't really need to worry about it since I had enough credits. My mistake…Lesson learned. Read the fine print.

@Trevor- Here is the Colorado website for the licensing requirements- https://www.nasba.org/licensure/nasbalicensing/colorado/ Here's the part that where I got stuck. Dammit I was so close. Oh well what's another 8 weeks? :'(

The 27 hours required above must also include a 3 semester hour, or more, course concentrating on accounting ethics. The course content should include the following: the ethical responsibilities of accountants, both personal and professional; ethical dilemmas facing accountants; ethical theory; the various accounting codes of conduct and ethical guidance for accountants; and the application of ethical theory, codes of conduct, and professional standards. Courses focusing on general or business ethics will not be counted toward this requirement.

Thanks Vanche! Doesn't sound too bad.

[ALandFARfaraway]

Metro state offers both an accounting ethics and internal audit class that will fulfill those extra credit requirements. It's per credit cost is cheaper than CSU global, however I don't think those two classes are offered online only. At least they weren't when I went there a year ago.

As far as the accounting ethics requirement, it is a different class than business ethics. It's basically the ethics chapters in REG and AUD. Goes into depth on acts discreditable, pcaob regulations, independence issues, etc. Makes sense to require that learning.

FAR: 7/23/16 - waiting for score
AUD: 9/2/16
REG: ?
BEC: ?

[tcheney3]

I dealt with this issue on multiple fronts.

First I applied for licensing and it was rejected because I was missing an ethics course and an auditing course. I took both of them at Metro State and reapplied. I was rejected again because my two auditing courses were too similar and apparently the first time around they didn't notice I was missing a business communications course. I requested an interview with the board and they approved my busi. communications course, but rejected my second auditing course. I appealed their decision, but it wouldn't get heard for another 9 months. This was 1.5 years AFTER I had already passed the CPA Exam. I ended up moving to Virginia for work and was licensed in 3 weeks. Needless to say the Colorado State Board of Accountancy is notoriously strict about its CPA licensing requirements. Good luck, but you may have better luck applying in a different state that doesn't require residency and then transferring the license over through reciprocity.

BEC - 82
REG - 86
FAR - 85
AUD - 84 and I'm out!!!!!
Ethics - 95
In Skynet's Honor:
Act I: Shutdown Skynet and prevent Judgment Day.
Act II: Add a comma and three letters to my title.
Act III: Time Travel and marry a young Denise Richards (and prevent subsequent plastic surgery),return to present.
Act IV: Serve as Successor to Elon Musk as CEO of Tesla.
Act V: Ensure Judgment Day has been stopped. Utopia achieved.

[Author]

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