[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I have passed all the four sections of my CPA exam. However my license is pending due to the fact that I have not been able to get hold of a CPA who can sign off my work experience. I am planning to apply from Michigan. So, the work can be verified by any CPA with active license. I have few friends who are CPA and they all hold the non-reporting license and my manager’s license has expired and he needs lots of credit to get to active status again. Any one in the same boat? Does anyone know if I can pay a CPA to have it done? I have not found one yet. Thanks

[Herbieherb]

@Sandra it just seems wrong to me that any random CPA can do this and get paid for it…if there's nothing wrong, what's a competitive rate to charge for this service?…

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

@Sandra: Looks like you have done a lot of research about it like myself.

@Herbieherb: I do not want to get involved in unethical or illegal activities as well. That will eventually get me in trouble, forget about the signing CPA.

But my point is, some states allows it. The have clearly stated in their website that the work experience can be verified by any CPA, from any state if they hold an active license. And this fact is also confirmed by me by calling the board.

Paying and geting it done is a different story. But if your friend can do it for you for free why not other CPAs and pay for their service.

Whats the different if one of my friend does it for me and he does not need money for the service and CPA does the attest work and wants charge for his service.

Don't companies pay the CPA for attesting to certain facts. Thats all I am saying: Make CPA attest to the fact that I have an adequate experience that board needs by obtaining substantial evidence not become I am paying him. How does that sound to you now?

[mena je twa]

CPA GURU

It clearly states under a CPA supervision, there has to be some kind of oversight before the CPA can sign off. You have to atleast work indireclty or directly under a CPA. Period.

Dont compare a paying CPA, attestation services,etc…This is all business and nothing else. I pay you for services rendered.

In this CPA certification process, it clearly states and i think people should read the guideliness to be certified before they even attempt to take a section. What i would suggest is to switch jobs, do some research, work under a CPA who is still maintaing his license and than apply for the certificate.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Shay]

@cpaguru…I agree…

what if I work with CPA and just 2 wks before my 1 yr requirement, our relationship breaks up. Now what? I have to find another CPA and work for another yr..NOOOO. I would rather have a friend CPA, who trust my professional integrity. If that friends wants $$$ or not, thats upto the person signing it.

[Anonymous]

@ mena je twa

Know about which board I am talking about before commenting so confidently. The board I am applying from does not state:

” It clearly states under a CPA supervision, there has to be some kind of oversight before the CPA can sign off. You have to atleast work indireclty or directly under a CPA. Period.”

This is what it states:

(4) For an application for a certificate as a certified public accountant received on or after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, or an application received before that date if a certificate of certified public accountant has not been issued, the applicant shall have 1 year of qualifying experience, all of which is verified by a certified public accountant of this state, any other state, or any jurisdiction of the United States, submitted on a form prescribed by the department. Qualified experience is experience gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice in 1 or more of the following areas:

So it can be verified by certified public accountant of that state or any for that matter of fact.

” In this CPA certification process, it clearly states and i think people should read the guideliness to be certified before they even attempt to take a section.”

I think what ever you are saying above applies to you as well. And remember, every state has their own rule if you do not know already.

Here is the link if you are interested in interpreting it..Peace

https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_61343_35414_60647_35451-238412–,00.html

[thistooshallpass]

Man, y'all are vicious sometimes, lol. I am concerned with this issue myself, as I will be the first/only CPA at my company. However we are a sub of a larger corp, so I sincerely hope that one of the corporate officers/CPA's can signoff. I would say I work indirectly for them. I also very much doubt I'm the first in this position within all the subs, so hope it's not a problem. I could always transfer to Corp for a year if necessary I suppose, but I don't want to have to wait! I've been in accounting here for 6 years.

AUD 85 (2/12) Using Becker
FAR 81 (5/12)
BEC 79 (7/13)
REG 85 (10/1)

"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

[mmcgrad1]

I'm sorry but looking a little through your posting history you've been trying find a way to get licensed in different states based on the requirements instead of just completing the requirements of your home state. You've also done lots of research on finding loopholes so that you can meet the 150 credit hours. To me, it looks like you've been looking for shortcuts instead of just doing the work to meet the requirements. I find it troubling.

I've read the Michigan requirement several times. Michigan says, “the applicant shall have 1 year of qualifying experience, all of which is verified by a certified public accountant of this state, any other state, or any jurisdiction of the United States, submitted on a form prescribed by the department.” My interpretation is that a CPA from Michigan, any other state, or territory of the US can verify your experience. I believe the reason they say this is because you may be working in another state under a CPA, say Illinois. The CPA licensed in Illinois can verify your experience. I don't see that as saying any CPA off the street can verify your experience.

I cannot see how a CPA who has not worked with you or in your company can really verify your experience. People scam others all the time. I believe you have the experience but I can easily see someone faking the experience. What's to keep me from faking the experience and then going to my neighbor, who is a CPA, and having him sign off on it? If the board allows this kind of verification I see it as potentially troublesome.

Go ahead with this plan since it seems the board already told you it was acceptable. Ultimately, that's what matters. I would get something in writing from them to protect yourself from any possible complications.

Edit: To the above post

I don't see a problem with finding someone else to verify your experience if there is no CPA to verify your work as long as you formally request this from the board. If they approve, then I think you were responsible and took the right approach. I'm just hesitant on calling someone at the board and getting approval over the phone. Who knows if they know what they are talking about and you don't have tangible evidence to prove they ok'd your situation.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[mla1169]

CPAGURU, I've looked at the actual form the CPA signs https://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcsc/forms/acct/lac022.pdf and based on the wording “dates applicant was in your employ” , it sounds like there may be an issue for you.

And I agree with mmcgrad, you've been here a long time and have been trying to find loopholes.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the last two posts. You guys make sense. I think I should get something form the board in writing. And as far as the loop holes goes. There is nothing wrong to find the short cut if its available and ethical and legal. I was trying to find a short cut to get to my 150 credit requirements, but since I found it somewhat unethical, I went back to college for 2 sem. Same here with the license, I am trying to find something that suits to my condition and is ethical and legal and approved by state. There is nothing wrong to be smart and do things that are legal / ethical and is lot more easier. The problem for me is to get the experience required by my board, I have to get into public accounting or have my master degree. I do not want to do both of those. I dont even want to get into public accounting so just a certificate or a license from any state is ok for me. I do not thing I have doen anything wrong here. Its the whole reason I post here, to see what people think about it, whether its ethical or not or legal or not. Then I make the choice. Thanks for your opinions.

@mla1169: you made a really good point. I won't have it done before I get something from the board in writing.

[Anonymous]

@mmcgrad1

I called the board again and they told me the same thing. It can be approved by anyone who holds the active CPA license.

However, I would be more confortable to proceed if I have something in writing as you stated. What approach would you suggest me to get in touch with the board to get something like this in writing. I left them the message in the hope that they would leave some message in my voicemails so that I have some prove but I highly doubt them getting back. I also sent them an email few months back and again no response and I have send them one today which I am sure wont be replied. So, do you think I should be sending a certified email to the board looking for the answers.

Or, should I go ahead and make the CPA fill out the form and have a letter from him stating that I do not work for him and he is just verifying my work based on the letter from my work from my manager and send the managers letter as well along with it. That way my intention would be clear that I am not trying to do anything thing unethical or illegal.

Any suggestion..I want the board to be clear of my intentions. What else can I do. I called them twice and got the same answer. So, why dont I apply for it instead of looking for other alternatives. I will have a seperate letter along with the application of how I tried to contact them, what the answers were from them when I called and the situation of my independent CPA. After doing all this, do you think I would still get in trouble?

[Anonymous]

This is what I sent them:

First of all, Thanks for your reply. So, please clarify. Does that mean it is ok for an independent CPA who does not work in my company to sign off my work experience? I feel like my question has not been answered. The code below states that it can be verified by a certified public accountant of this state, any other state, or any jurisdiction of the United States. But it is silent to the matter whether it has to be from someone you work with or any Independent CPA who knows me and has evidence from my manager of the kind of work I do? I would appreciate if you can answer this for me since you are the only one reliable source that I can trust. Thanks

(4) For an application for a certificate as a certified public accountant received on or after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, or an application received before that date if a certificate of certified public accountant has not been issued, the applicant shall have 1 year of qualifying experience, all of which is verified by a certified public accountant of this state, any other state, or any jurisdiction of the United States, submitted on a form prescribed by the department. Qualified experience is experience gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice in 1 or more of the following areas:

They replied:

Hello – The statute does not specify that an individual must work with or for the verifying CPA. As you stated, the requirement is: the applicant shall have 1 year of qualifying experience, all of which is verified by a certified public accountant of this state, any other state, or any jurisdiction of the United States,

Is that enought for me to proceed? Thanks

[mmcgrad1]

I would say there response is enough to proceed. If they try to call you out on it, then you can refer to the email you sent and their response.

Based on your attempts to contact them and their response, I feel much more comfortable with what you are attempting to do.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[Anonymous]

@mmcgrad1

Thanks for your concerns and help. As I have have said before, I am not trying to play with the system, but if the system allows why not go for it, Thanks anyways

[Sandra]

Herbieherb- I think if a CPA were to charge it would be at their normal hourly rate.

I had my certification done by our outside CPA. I am the CFO and there was simply no CPA on staff. Our external CPA does our taxes and signed my experience form. I'm very lucky that I live in a state where that is deemed acceptable. I have worked as an accountant in upper management for 10 years or so. What would be the benefit of not allowing me to get my license because we don't have a CPA on staff? Certification can be a huge issue for people like me that waited to take the test and are no longer entry level employees. I'm very grateful that WA state is reasonable about their requirements.

That being said- ultimately the applicant guarantees the accuracy of his/her statements on the WA state app. The certifying CPA must merely “interview” the candidate and acertain that the candidate appears to have the experience required. The extent of this is entirely up to th certifying CPA.

[xibadx]

Sandra and CPA Guru:

Since you guys sound like you know a little bit about this issue, I had a question directed your way. I worked overnight at a hotel during college and the property management company did employ a cpa but I never had much contact with him except for one meeting, and I would send him the trial balance and adjusted trial balance of accounts as well as sales and use tax reports by email every morning at 7am.

He has since retired and is no longer with the company, do you think if I was to get in touch with him and ask him to sign the work experience form, it would be a reasonable and fullfillable request?

My state board doesn't require public accounting experience, rather one year of experience either direct or indirect supervision of a cpa. He never corresponded back to me, but he could send an email to my manager saying the reports were incorrect, etc and that would be addressed to me… Would you consider that indirect supervision?

All passed on first try - Licensed CPA Texas
Studying tip: Study throughout the day (short intervals, no more than 3hrs/day total), take exam later in the day and cram before your exam.

[Author]

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