[sam85]

I recently moved to a different state for a new job, and my boss and I are in a disagreement over which state to get my license. While I was living in the other state and before I ever received this job offer, I passed all 4 sections of the exam and satisfied all the requirements to get my license in the state I moved from (with the exception of needing a couple more months of experience). To get my license in the state that I currently live (what my boss wants me to do), I will need to take the Ethics exam and take additional college courses.

There are several reason why I don’t want to this. First, I can get my license in the other state without doing a thing. Second, I don’t want to spend the money to take another exam and take more courses, especially since I want to spend my money getting my master’s not use it to take junk courses. Third, while my employer likes my CPA credential, they won’t factor it into my salary – not upon starting nor when I get my official license. In my initial meeting with my boss, I was told my CPA won’t be factored into bonuses or promotions because it’s not required for the job. They just like you to have it.

I have no idea why my boss is making a big deal out of this. My line of work doesn’t even require me to be licensed in the state I’m in. I don’t want to disappoint my boss, but I also don’t see any incentive to put the time, effort and resources into getting my license in the state that I work when there’s pretty much no incentive for me. Can anyone offer me some advice on how to handle this?

[tg7174]

I see no reason why you would do this. If there are no immediate benefits to your job, no promotion, and it's not required for your job. I would go ahead and get licensed in the other state and have a conversation with your boss. Depending on your relationship I would even ask how this benefits…well..anyone. It doesn't make any sense to me.

[financetx]

Aren't almost all states reciprocal states now? Just get licensed in the original state and then apply for a reciprocal license in your current state.

[aaronmo]

My opinion – your post is remarkably short sighted; you're looking at a job and credentials/reqs today…and a CPA is worth more on the market than a masters. Look forward 30 years. You've passed 4 exams and done the work…go through the BS and finish it. You can probably take the masters classes to satisfy the Ed reqs.

[fuzyfro89]

Few thoughts:

1) If you are eligible in the prior state, go ahead and get the license. Having it won't hurt you in the slightest, and you can go ahead and keep that on your resume. While not much of a difference at all, having “CPA” on your resume instead of “Passed all CPA exams” is not the same. Fair or unfair, that's another discussion.
2) Once you have an active license, I would look into the differences between getting a reciprocal license vs a new license in your current state. It may still require you to get the additional coursework. Every state is different. Yes, it's a total pain in the a$$. If it's easier to get a reciprocal license with no new coursework if you do #1, then great, you saved some headache. If it's not possible, then go ahead and get the coursework. It will save you some future headaches if you move in the future and the new state requires that coursework anyway.

[.]

Which state do you plan on living in long term?

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

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[Anonymous]

I was going to ask the same thing circadian asked – which one do you plan to be in long-term? Get licensed there. If you'll be in State B for 30 years, then having a license from State A doesn't make much sense if there's just a little bit more work to do to get it (yes, a few college courses and an ethics exam is just a little bit more work). However, if you really like State A, and just jumped 15 miles over the border to State B for a job, then get licensed in State A, since you hope to return there.

[Missy]

Why don't you just ask your boss why he prefers a license in that state vs your original state? Its just so much simpler than speculating. After he explains and you discuss it one or the other of you just may see things differently. Have you asked if they'd be willing to help pay to meet the requirements, tuition reimbursement, ethics exam reimbursment?
Also if you intend to get your Masters anyway have you looked to see if those courses will help you meet the education requirement?

I have a very hard time understanding why someone would accept a job and move out of state but take exception to a few more courses and an exam. As was mentioned above doing so may not benefit you NOW but may ultimately hinder you in the future. Personally if I moved out of state for a job, at least for the first few years I'd go in 500% and do everything I was asked to do unless it was illegal or would create a financial hardship (preferring to spend $ on another degree isn't a hardship per se.)

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[kayfcpa16]

OP, you mention only needing additional work experience hours to obtain the license, is your Boss a CPA and are they signing off on your experience, if so then they may create problem on signing in the state you want and may force you to go with the state they want or not sign. (I believe if your employer is dictating a state, the additional cost should be picked up by them). However, if your employer isn't a factor in your experience then the choice is clear, select the state where you want.

FAR - 2/16 - 78
BEC - 2/16 - 78
AUD - 8/16
REG - 8/16

[Author]

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