[Ib]

Hi Ninjas,

I need three reference letters for my CPA license in MA. Can I get them all from the same company? I work in a multinational firm. Can I ask three different people in this firm? Will MA board accept it?

Do I need to list my experience in application even though I am only applying for non-reporting license?

How long does it take to receive congratulatory letter?

Please comment.

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Missy]

Yes all three of my letters were from the same company and it was fine.

Yes you still need to list your experience if you have any. Call it overkill, call it what you want but they still want to see it. You're substituting a masters degree for attest experience, not all experience. They need it to verify the information that comes up on your background check not to determine your credentials.

Congrat letters are sent about 6 weeks after the widow closes. If you passed your final exam in q3 expect it around mid October. Be mindful of the board meeting dates, app has to be received 2 weeks before board meeting to be considered and I'm not sure if they have meetings in november and december this year.

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

[Ib]

@mla11692.

Thank you very much for your comments. I will definitely list up my experience. I was also bit afraid not to mention any experience in application, even though it is not required.

Did you also submitted experience letter from your employer with you application?

What do we need to say in character letter. For example. I have known ib553 for 5 years. He is of good moral character? Any suggestion?

Thanks!

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Anonymous]

work experience not required if you sat having already received your master's degree.

character statement = letter of recommendation. the 3 people you approach should know what to write.

according to https://www.nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/scores/ Q3 letters are mailed by Oct 15th. i took my last test early July, and got a congratulatory letter from NASBA about 2 weeks after official score release in August. so you very well might receive yours earlier than Oct 15th. start getting all your stuff ready now, so you can just send it in, hopefully in time for the October 20th, 2016 board meeting so you don't have to wait for Dec 1st.

https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/calendar-for-board.html

i do not know how long it takes to get approved once the meeting takes place. i recall @mla saying it only takes a few days after the meeting.

[Ib]

@eesti Thank you for the valuable information. Can I ask my colleagues to write character letter for me?

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Anonymous]

of course. i was just saying it is more colloquially known as letter of rec.

[Ib]

@eesti. Thanks. Do you have license in MA?

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Missy]

The three I got were my boss at the time, his boss at the time and the HR Manager for the company I worked for. To make it easier for them I wrote the letter and asked if they agreed with everything contained in it to please sign. It was a basic straightforward I've known mla111692 for 8 years and she's a rockstar (don't remember it was so long ago if you use the search bar up top for character reference example I think I used a format someone else here posted). Usually unless there a high number of candidates being considered you can look up your license # online on the board of professional licensure website the day after the meeting. I remember someone saying she didn't see hers for two days but someone's gotta do all that pesky data entry. The meeting was a tuesday or wednesday night and I remember clear as day receiving my actual license in the mail that Saturday. The license is a wallet sized card like your social security card, its a joke.

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

[Ib]

Thanks mla11692. I actually called MA board yesterday. They confirmed that I could get it from anyone except my family and friends. I am planning to ask my colleagues for 3 character letters. I will ask my supervisor for reference letter. Did u actually ordered wall certificate from NASBA?

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Missy]

I haven't. When I got my license I was in a cube farm LOL and now that I'm at my curent job there's only 2 of us in the office so nobody to impress!

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

[Anonymous]

MA candidate here… Was unaware we needed letters of recommendation for the non-reporting license. I have a Masters in Accounting, which is a substitute for the work experience (for the non-reporting license), will I still need letters of recommendation as well? Thanks.

[Ib]

Ok. I think it's nice to have one. And it does not cost much either. I will try to gather all documents now that I am still waiting for congratulatory letter. Thanks for the information.

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Ib]

Yes, you still need three character letters/recommendation letters. Have you passed all sections?

FAR 79
AUD 87
BEC 78
REG 08/31/2016

[Missy]

EL yes you still need them. The only thing the masters substitutes for is attest experience every other component of the application needs to be completed.

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

[Anonymous]

Ok makes sense. No I haven't completed the exam yet, currently have 2 sections done. Taking my third section soon, and hoping to be completely done by November.

[Author]

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