[Anonymous]

I am finishing my MBA in April and will exceed the 150 credit hr requirement but will only have 21 credit hrs of accounting (was a finance major / accounting minor in undergrad). I work in corporate accounting so I would not actually be practicing with a public accounting firm but I am interested in getting the CPA just to help with advancement, etc.

I just recently read this from an article and am trying to verify if it is correct: “However, if you want to become a CPA for enhancing your credentials only (e.g. you work in finance and accounting department of a corporation, or in the banking / consulting field), the slightly different requirements actually allow candidates to choose a state that fits their education or working experience.”

Is it true that since I am not looking to actually use the license in practice that I could just register with any state that requires 21 accounting hours, sit for the exam, and I could then still list ‘CPA’ on my resume even if I don’t live in that state? I will be traveling a lot with my company and will probably live in 4 different states over the next 5-8 years so I wouldn’t really be sure which state to register in anyway but I think the credential would help me.

Another question – say I register with a state that only requires 21 credit hours and at some point down the road I decide to take a job where I actually use the CPA and live in a state that requires 30 credit hours of accounting. Would I have to re-take all 4 parts of the exam or would they most likely require me to take another 3 courses before transferring the license?

[New Dad]

Eric:

I am in a similar situation (MBA, under grad Finance degree). First of all, it depends what state do you want to qualify for? It is not necessarily the state you are in. You mentioned you are not interested in public accounting. I have a friend of mine who has the same interest and he is taking the exam as a California candidate which has less stringent education requirements than the Florida exam (where I live). A quick overview of the requirements is listed on Becker's web page () but always check with the state's board of accountancy.

Once you qualify to sit for the exam and pass (on the first attempt) you are still not a CPA until you meet the other licensure requirements which also vary by state. In Florida after you pass all four parts of the exam you still need one year of work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA, the 150 hours that need to include 36 semester hours of upper level accounting. The principles classes in financial and managerial accounting do not count neither do the MBA accounting classes. I found this out the hard way and am taking classes now to qualify to sit for the exam.

Best of luck to you.

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[Anonymous]

It really does vary by state, and if you are not a licensed CPA in that state I do not believe you can call yourself a CPA or use the title. Im pretty sure in CA you can't use the CPA designation unless you hold a CA CPA license. Also for the states that do have the certificate option, Im not sure if you can use the CPA designation with the certificate. maybe Im wrong? and I know some states are even phasing that option out.

If you want to transfer your license to another state you would not have to take the exam again, you'd just have to fulfill the additional requirements for licensure in that state.

[Author]

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