[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I recently passed my CPA exams and am applying to the license in NH.

I have just received their reply after 6 weeks of submitting my application, which reads;

“we have found the following deficiencies: Lacks 3 semester hours in accounting to meet 30 semester hours requirement including a course in Tax.”

I counted my accounting courses again, and to my surprise i only have 27 credits. However i have a ton of finance courses that they didn’t count.

What do i do? I have no idea how to finish a course in tax. Would online courses count? any advise?

[mla1169]

Generally accounting courses are only the ones that have an ACC prefix (Probably a few exceptions but it's a safe route). Look into SNHU, they offer courses online. Not sure you can get into and complete a 3 credit course within 60 days though. You may find another state that only requires 24 credits if you meet all of their other criteria. Finance is a different discipline than accounting entirely. Picture a baseball game. The finance people equate to coaches who strategize and make decisions. The accountants stay behind the scoreboard making sure it accurately reflects what has happened on the field.

If you're missing any courses at all in tax, you'll probably have to just take one that's a pretty standard requirement

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

How do we spell assume again?

[Anonymous]

Accounting is full of assumptions. I guess we're all just going around making asses of ourselves?

[Mamabear]

I think the point that he should have been aware of the requirements before has been made. From this point forward, let's focus on being helpful please. If your state board is anything like mine, they aren't going to tell you where to get the credits. They will let you know if a class you are considering will count, but not lead you to the class. I am sure there are state boards that are more helpful than others, but yours may not help as much as people will lead you to believe. You need to find a self paced tax course that can be completed in 60 days. It may be expensive, but University of Phoenix has 5 week courses. I'll keep searching, but it is the only school that comes to mind right this minute. The UCLA extension program has classes listed that begin in April so that won't work for you. UNA has regular semesters, which won't work either. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

None of my posts were meant to be condescending to the OP. I empathize and am thankful my state was as helpful as they were in the beginning of this crazy process. I hope BLT is able to get the required hours in time. No one should lose exam credit because of 3 measly hours. That's just cruel.

[Mamabear]

Your posts were fine CTM and I agree with you 100% that all states should require licensing compliance BEFORE sitting for the CPA exam. I met the exam requirements and now must take 4 more classes to be licensed. I knew that when I stopped going to class to sit for the CPA exam. I wish it hadn't been an option though because I really don't want to take any more classes now that the exam is over with. My motivation is not there at all.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

The CPA exam is the mother of all accounting course finals. Having to take more classes after passing sucks. That said, you've come this far so a few more courses is cake in the grand scheme. Best of luck!

[Mamabear]

Those classes should be easy after this though because now I know how I study best and I can weed out all the inefficient stuff I did along the way. It really is just taking the time to sign up and get it done.

OP: Good luck and keep us posted!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

@mamabear, if you're responding to my post I am not suggesting that we don't try to help the OP. I am saying (and this echos your point perfectly) is that we are all from different states and are operating under different assumptions. I am sorry but I stand by my comment that the OP should speak with the state board first before coming here. There's a large difference between “talked to my state board and they say I need XYZ do you have any advice on how I can get that” and “I got a letter and didn't follow up, can you all tell me how I should best spend my time and money on requirements that I am not 100% sure about”. We must always remember, even if some state boards are more helpful than others they are the grantor of the license and it behooves anyone to start with them.

Given my experience was with NASBA and not my board but when they did my prelim eval to sit they said I was short 12 hours. Called them and after a lot of review I ended up having six hours more than what I needed. Saved me a semester of college just by simply picking up the phone.

[Mamabear]

I wasn't responding to your post at all and I agree with you and others about contacting the state board. I never suggested that he shouldn't contact his state board. My advice was that the state board may not tell him where to go to get the credits or which classes would count until he found the school and courses himself. I apologize if that was unclear.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[On2Sum]

In Cali, you cant even take the exams until your college transcripts have been vetted and cleared by the state board. I guess it is not the same in all states? Thank you CBA!

FAR - 79
REG - 76
AUD - 94
BEC - 77

DONE! DONE!! DONE!!!

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts"
-Winston Churchill

[Mamabear]

In Florida you can sit with only 24 upper level accounting credits, but have to have 36 to be licensed. It is silly and honestly it just makes things more confusing.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[mla1169]

In all states your transcripts are verified before you sit but the requirements to sit and the requirements for licensure are different. They just decided that some people may get the exam out of the way first and then complete the education and experience requirement. The problem is they only tell you that you're all set to take the exams, they don't go the extra step and say “but you will need X,Y and Z before you can get licensed.” which is how many people who have passed the exams are found deficient for a license.

A few states keep the education requirements to sit the same as the education requirements for licensure.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

Replies