[Newguy]

Hi, I have some questions about the requirements to get a CPA license besides passing all four parts of the exam. I have called the PA State Board of Accountancy and nobody was available to assist, waiting for a call back. I am 36 years old and live in Pennsylvania, I graduated in 2000 with 128 credits, 25 credits in accounting. I have passed FAR and BEC, I took AUD yesterday and give myself about a 50/50 shot I passed. I am taking REG in a few months. I worked in public accounting for 2 years (2000-2002). Since then I have worked privately at a real estate company, my boss is a CPA. Let’s ASSUME I pass all 4 parts by the end of this year. My questions are, I think I know the answer to them but I want to be sure:

1) Do I need to get a new job in public, or does my experience from 11 years ago count?

2) How much public accounting experience do I need, 1 or 2 years?

3) I definitely need to get 22 more college credits, 11 in accounting. Should I get an MBA or just get the cheapest and easiest credits available?

4) How long do I have to get my experience/education requirements after I pass the exam (IF I pass the exam)? Does at any point your exam credits expire if you don’t apply for a license?

Any other comments, advice or criticism anybody wants to contribute I am all ears.

Thanks in advance.

Newguy

FAR - 11/29/2012(75)
BEC - 11/27/2012(73) - 2/11/2013(79)
AUD - 04/08/2013(82)
REG - 05/28/2013(86) - Done

[Anonymous]

I'm not a PA candidate so I'm not even going to try most of your questions, but in CT your experience doesn't have to be public accounting. Industry experience is considered sufficient in CT as long as you perform certain tasks and your supervisor is a CPA. We have an experience verification form that we have to fill out and have signed by our supervisor – if PA has something similar it may list what counts as sufficient experience.

Also in CT, experience has to be within 10 years of CPA license application. But again, see if the PA application say anything.

Just a suggestion in case it takes a while for a PA person to see this post.

[Anonymous]

It definitely depends on the state. In Louisiana the experience can be in either public or private but it has to be within 4 years preceding or after the license application. You really need to speak to someone at your state board to verify.

[Newguy]

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy called me back. They said my experience from 11 years ago will not count. They also said once you pass all four parts, they never expire. I have as long as I want to get my experience/education requirements.

They did say if I work for a CPA privately, some of that experience may count. Its up to the person reviewing my experience verification form. I have never heard of anybody using private accounting experience in PA so I have a feeling this is not going to work for me.

FAR - 11/29/2012(75)
BEC - 11/27/2012(73) - 2/11/2013(79)
AUD - 04/08/2013(82)
REG - 05/28/2013(86) - Done

[Author]

Replies