[Anonymous]

..so after it’s all said and done – you’ve acquired the minimum units, pass all 4 parts and ethics exam, gained your experience…has anyone been denied their license due to “ineptitude of moral character” or whatever legal terminology they use?

or know someone that has?

[Jasper]

My understanding in most states that for petty crimes for first time offenders, the crime is expunged, and in most states, expunged crimes do not need to be disclosed when applying for your CPA license.

However, I could be misinformed, and if you do believe you have an expunged crime on your record, I would go to an attorney to verify before applying for the license.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[lmberrytoo]

Can you be denied licenses for filing bankruptcy? That question came up as a group of us were talking at work.

[Anonymous]

The terminology is “good” moral character. Not great, superb, excellent, flawless, impeccable etc etc. You don't have to be Mother Theresa to be certified.

[Anonymous]

@CR7 “Certified party animal (CPA).” hahah…i like that! never heard that before. i'm definitely going to steal it and claim it as my own! hahah jk — but not really. is this further evidence of moral ineptitude? i hope not..otherwise i need to come up with better jokes

thanks guys!! you guys make me feel much better.

btw, getting a DUI after you've already obtained your license is much more different than getting one before you earn a CPA license

[Anonymous]

Does arrest record have to be disclosed? I have an arrest record few years ago but no conviction. I was detained for 24 hrs and released the next day with no trial, court, probation or fine. All charges were dismissed. However, my finger print and mugshot was taken when I was detained.

[I should be studying]

In MA, the application says “Have you ever been found guilty after trial, or pleaded guilty, no contest, or nolo contender to a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any court?”

About 7 years ago I was arrested, went through probation without getting into trouble, and ultimately ended with a “continued without a finding.” I did not plead guilty, and I read that this is not exactly the same as a no contest plea. My plan is to not give them an answer to something they didn't ask, but I don't want to look like I'm lying about it.

Anyone with experience with this or who can find specific literature on it would be really helpful (esp since I'm already 3/4 done)

REG - 80 (2/28/13)
AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

[mattsmith0304]

Yes I would like some better clarification on this as well. I had a possession charge that ended up getting dismissed. Does anybody know if this still shows up on a background check, or if I need to disclose it?

FAR (10/5/2013) - 83
BEC (10/26/2013) - 79
AUD (11/30/2013) - 77
REG (2/2/2014) - 65
REG.2 (5/17/14)- TBA

[oilgaslb]

@ishouldbestudying – no contest is VERY different than not guilty. So as long as you weren't found guilty after your not guilty plea, it sounds like you don't have to disclose it. No contest is basically….”I won't say I did it, but I won't say I didn't because there's too much proof against me, but no contest will get me less time in jail”.

[Tncincy]

Oh wow….is there a way to appeal?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation with 2 DUIs both happened before testing. However, I don't know how your state application process works but in Missouri for each test application you were to provide any arrests to be qualified to obtain an NTS. I have passed all four parts to date and have on each application provided the DUI information. I take it that if they are going to allow me to take the tests with that knowledge that once I passed they wouldn't deny me a license. I don't know for sure but it wouldn't make sense at this point to deny me when they have known about the arrests through all the test application to sit for the exam.

[LongShot]

brandolph17 – I've also got 2 DUIs and am in Missouri. I emailed state board before ever applying for exams. It is NOT an automatic bar to licensure, but state board MAY decide to meet me in person prior to granting my license, just to do their own due diligence.

I would hope that I could point out since my 2nd DUI I've finished a graduate degree with a perfect 4.0 gpa and (hopefully!) passed entire CPA exam and use that to show in not some hopeless drunk, but just guy who had some dumb luck and is sincerely trying to better his position in life. At most, there will be that additional step for us in Missouri of meeting with the board first instead of them just rubber stamping our license application. As long as we don't show up drunk/hungover to that meeting I would think we should be in the clear:)

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[LongShot]

And I also obviously full disclosed and explained both of them on my application to sit for the exams.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[krokofilen]

Would I have to report an expunged misdemeanor? Would it still show up in a background check, even though expunged?

Someone wrote “You are not required to report criminal records that have been expunged or sealed by an order of the court” above, so curious to know.

Seems like a lot of the boards ask this or something similar in the forms to apply for the license: “Have you ever been convicted, pled guilty or no contest to any state or federal felony conviction or misdemeanor charge?”

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[LongShot]

I think they say not to list expunged items. I think. If so, then you wouldn't have to, but it depends on how they worded it.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Author]

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