[Anonymous]

I’m currently studying for the CPA exam and have not fulfilled any of the work experience requirements yet (planning on Pathway 2, so just need 1 year of experience), but am planning on working in Corporate Finance (not sure which area in particular yet) and felt that passing the CPA exam would be useful. I was wondering if anyone has fulfilled the work experience requirement by working within Corporate Finance, and which groups in particular help satisfy that requirement (assuming you work under a licensed CPA of course)?

I assume that groups like Accounting, SEC Reporting, Tax, and Internal Audit would definitely qualify… but what about groups such as FP&A, Mergers & Acquisitions, or Treasury? Please share your experiences, thanks!

[ncboy86]

I'm in the same boat. Did you ever figure out if FP&A experience counts?

FAR: 81 [Nov-11]
BEC: 85 [Feb-12]
REG: 80 [May-12]
AUD: 92 [Feb-13]

Wiley Review Books

[mla1169]

You'll probably need to specify what state exactly you are taking the exam for. What counts as experience is very different from one state to another. I'm assuming you're in CA where you mention pathway 2?

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[WICPA06]

It all depends on the state you are in, but most of the work experience requirements are pretty liberal. Mostly if you are working under a CPA doing any kind of accounting, that will count 98% of the time.

BEC - 77 (lost credit), 4/5/13
AUD - 83
REG - 77
FAR - 73, 74, 80! One more to go!!

[jgrfan1]

I've worked exclusively in FP&A for about 6 years now.

FP&A has various levels of accounting involvement depending on your firm. I've worked at places where I've been in the weeds in the GL and other's where I've teed up entries and passed them to an accountant. My work has always involved understanding numbers coming out of the GL and forecasting what they will look like in financial statements the future. That requires at least moderate understanding of accounting. It counts for work experience in the state I'm licensing in (NC).

Until 3 years ago, my direct supervisor was not a CPA – it was a problem for the experience requirement. I've worked directly for a CPA for the last 3 years and he's indicated that he would sign my experience requirement.

So if you work in FP&A you should be good, it is just finding that boss that has a license and working for them for the requisite time frame.

Good luck.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses everyone — didn't even realize anyone had responded to my old thread til now! I think you guys are right — it seems like it all depends on whether you work under a CPA supervisor who is willing to sign off (so Corporate Finance roles would work if you had a CPA supervisor).

Unfortunately for me there aren't any CPAs in my current department so most likely won't be able to fulfill the work experience to get licensed in my current job, but am looking into a possible option of getting a graduate degree in lieu of work experience which seems to be an option in Massachusetts. Just started a new thread on that to see if anyone has any advice/feedback on that option — feel free to contribute if you have any advice! Thanks! 🙂

[Author]

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