[Wanless Park]

Here is my story. I’m a Canadian IT Business Analyst working mostly with accounting applications. 2 years ago I attended a Becker CPA Review presentation here in Canada. They told me they would find a state, where I would be able to pass the exam and get my designation. First they sent my papers to New Hampshire and then changed it to Maine. Then I received a letter from Maine Accounting Board stating that I was eligible for CPA examination. So I enrolled in Becker CPA courses and finally passed all 4 exams.
nToday I received the “congratulatory” letter from CPA examination services stating that now after having passed the examination requirements I need a proof of a 2 years work experience in public accounting and now I’m in a state of shock and disbelief. Did I waste 2 years of my life in vain? I’m not mentioning here the cost of tuition and passing the exams.
nDon’t gey me wrong, I’m not interested in practising accounting in the States. I simply want to add CPA designation to my credentials and improve my marketability as a business systems consultant.
nDid Becker CPA Canada misinformed me? Did Maine requirements change? What should I do? Your advice will be greatly appreciated.n

n

[Wanless Park]

WICPAHOPEFUL,

Thank you for sharing your story. Unfortunately I work in IT and my boss has nothing to do with accounting. Even our controller doesn't have an accounting designation and our Financial Manager has a Canadian designation (not CPA).

I have an MBA degree with double major in marketing and finance/accounting. Regarding my work, I implement and support functionally and technically financial modules of an ERP system (General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Account Payable,Cash Management etc). I also work with auditors every time there is an internal/external audit. This is as far as it goes.

[strider4216]

Wanless, most states require you to have work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA..it could be consulting/accounting/finance/IT work, etc. etc. but you have to have a CPA sign off on your work (check the state handbook/website for specifics).

This is my problem too because I'm going into consulting and none of my managers are CPA's..I don't know if I can get a sign off by a director or someone from the accounting department because it's not direct supervision, but regardless they usually give you several years to get the work requirement so my other plan is to find a job later on that is under a CPA.

I can assure you if any rules changed in Maine it would not effect you, they wouldn't drastically change the rules and not keep an exemption for people who started the process when the rules were different.

I wouldn't worry too much Wanless, because you still have all the tests passed and you might be able to find a creative way to get your work signed off on, just gotta contact your state.

[zena]

Wanless Park, you might be able to use the work you do with the auditors as your experience and have the CPA firm that does the audit sign off. Ask them to see if they would agree to it and also check with your state board that the work would indeed qualify. Like Strider said, there are many ways to satisfy that requirement. Good luck to you!

FAR 86 | BEC 94 | AUD 90 | REG 85
All done! used Becker

[Wanless Park]

Guys,

I'm in Canada. We don't really have CPA's here. I would say the Canadian equivalent (or at least the closest one) is CA (Chartered Accountant). In our company we don't even have CA's. The controller has MBA degree only (same as me) and the Finance Manager has CGA (Certified General Accountant) or CMA (Certified General Accountant). I don't remember exactly. In my first company in Canada we had 2 CA's and I haven't seen them since 2006.

[shikhye]

Well it's time to dig some papers and find those people pal. Don't know what else to tell ya. You can think of it this way though… if you want to become a cpa in the future you don't need to take the exams. I also passed all my exams but I am waiting on my state to approve my application for license. Meanwhile, I am putting a bullet point on my resume stating that I am expected to become a cpa in februrary. I also have a section that says I passed all four sections…. but I guess your situation is different since you just need credentials to put on your business card right? To get more clients? If it makes you feel any better you're not alone in this predicament. I know quite of few people who passed all their exams but have no one to sign off on their experience. But as we discuss about their situation, they remember that there was one cpa wayyyyyy back when, and they decide to call them up. Another encouraging point is that these people are required to sign off if you really did work for the company… if they don't the state board will inquire why they didn't sign it. So even if you were an a$$ or a lazy worker, most if not all of them will sign off for you. You may need to get more CPE requirements if it has been more than 5 years since you had those work experience though.

[75 CPA]

I am afraid that no CPA firm will hire me because of my age. Does anyone know of any alternative ways of getting a CPA license other than working under a CPA? Getting a CPA license may be more difficult for me than passing ther four CPA exams!

[Anonymous]

75 CPA – Ensure you know your state's experience requirements. Each state sets their own requirements. I am from Indiana, and Indiana does not require you to work directly for a CPA for the experience requirements. The CPA must only have knowledge of your work experience. If you have not started taking the exam, you might want to look at the different state requirements before starting.

Good Luck.

[zena]

Also, in my state (CO) you can substitute more education in lieu of experience. So, for instance, if you had a Bachelors and a Masters in accounting that would be good enough.

FAR 86 | BEC 94 | AUD 90 | REG 85
All done! used Becker

[PursuitCPA]

@75 CPA “I am afraid that no CPA firm will hire me because of my age(Forget the age). Getting a CPA license may be more difficult for me than passing the four CPA exams! “

Its not your age in general, its the whole industry…I never thought it would be a struggle majoring in accounting versus marketing, sociology, or criminal justice to find a meaningful position than passing these exams. If your not working in this country its almost like a “dont ask dont tell” policy…

CPA EXAM - Passed

[Anonymous]

You guys should check out the “CPA Certificate” designation in Delaware. You can use the title “CPA” but does not allow you to practice.

https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/accountancy/newcertificate.shtml

[Wanless Park]

Tim94111,

If you read this document carefully, you will see that since 2006 there is one application in Delaware for both certificate and license. In other words, it is no longer a two-tier CPA state. So far I figured out that Illinois still issues certificates but since I was educated outside North America, they will need to evaluate my education credentials from scratch even if it was already done by FASS, when I applied for exam permit with Maine Accounting Board. I'm also checking Colorado but it's not clear yet if my education (MBA) is sufficient to compensate for the lack of public accounting experience.

[Anonymous]

what waste of time …….seriously if it will not help you

your better off being good at what you do then a CPA license you never need or will use; I compare that to those ppl who work 12 hrs days only to play solitare on their computers for “face time”

some IT ppl could use it as marketing ploy for delevoping in house systems…….

my IT person actually has a CPA and it is nice to have that kind of knowledge backing you up in your software…….atleast for empathy………but really not worth it

MBA is good enough if it is like 2004+

[Anonymous]

Too bad Delaware is not an option, then. A friend was planning on going that route. Keep us posted with what happens with you and Illinois.

[yuyu81]

Park – that is unfortunate. Did Becker find the state for you, or did you? I didn't even know you could do that if you live in Canada… In Illinois, you can just register your certificate meaning, you do not plan on practicing public accounting, but you can hold yourself out to be a CPA (business cards, letter heads, etc..) I would have chosen the state carefully ESPECIALLY since you do not have an “accounting” job. They assume people who get their CPA's are accountants whether public or not.

Two years public accounting work experience with at least 400 hours of work experience in audit, review and compilation and 200 hours of work experience in advisory services.

Successful completion of the CPA exam.

Maybe it would be possible to provide IT advisory services if you joined a CPA firm… you definitely have the credentials, but if you have NO interest in public accounting or joining a BIG4 type company then I think you wasted your time =( Still be proud of your accomplishment, even though it may not suit your needs… sorry.

[Anonymous]

Check with the Virginia accountancy board. https://www.boa.virginia.gov/

Virginia has a very broad work experience requirement (managerial, fianancial, consulting) which does not necessarily have to be signed off on by a CPA. My boss is an attorney and they accepted her certification of my work experience in the U.S. federal government.

I don't know, however, if you are allowed to use a VA CPA designation when working in a location outside of Virginia.

Regardless, the staff there are very helpful and should be able to answer your questions.

[Author]

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