[ayusdream]

Hi, I have been working in this public accounting firm for 5 years and going into 6 years. I quit couple months ago to study for my CPA exam, now I have passed 2, and planning to finish off before summer.

Just 2weeks ago, my old boss wanted me to come back and help out the firm, and I agreed to it, and I am helping him 3 days a week. After he learned that I passed the 2 exams, and he explicitly stated that he will not certify me if I do not plan to work for him afterward. He mentioned that he wanted me to work for 1 year full time continuously before he will certify, and other CPAs that he certified all left him afterward immediately once they became CPAs and he was very unhappy about that.

I do not want to wait for another year to get certify, and clearly I know I do not want to work for him, what other options do I have? I do not want to turn this into an awkward situation.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, it appears that are between a rock and a hard place. Most states require at least 1-3 years of working under a CPA before getting licensed. First off, you don't know when exactly you will be done. You could start looking for a job asap, while studying for your remaining parts. Or you would have to bite the bullet, and work their for a year to get licensed and then leave.

[ruggercpa2b]

Either way you are gong to end up leaving after her certifies your paperwork. Who is to say that he will refuse after a year and want you to stay longer. Honestly this boss sounds manipulative and I would not want to work for someone like that. The 5 years you worked there should be enough experience. Since credits do not expire, if I were you I would look for a job elsewhere and have those people sign off on your experience. You could also bring it up with the state board.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Bourne]

Tell him you'll work for him for a year then quit after he signs it. Kind of a dick move on his part so I'd try to be selfish as long as he doesn't make you sign some contract (which I figure he probably will)

[aaronmo]

Not sure on your state, but PA has a rule requiring CPAs to act in good faith and sign off on valid experience. Check your state rules…

If you think you've already met the requirements and he's using improper leverage, I'd try and acquire proof…get him to say it in an email…and I'd file a complaint with a regulatory board and explore a suit for damages. If you push it…he has nothing to gain by being a schmuck…and if you're sure your work qualified, I'd be damned if I let someone exploit me. I'd also write reviews about it on indeed, glassdoor, etc.

If he's threatened not to sign valid experience with you, he's done it with others. And they resent it. Check linkedin…ask around…get names.

[livealittle]

I wonder if your W2 for the last 5 years showing you worked for this CPA would be enough for the state board to see you have experience. Does this firm have a website? are you listed on the website? I've been listed on the website with my qualifications and what my specialties are since I started working at the firm I'm at now. If I had to, I would make printouts of everything I could showing i did the work.

I would definitely check the state board for what to do in this case.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[PJ]

Yep, absolutely contact the state board.

[aaronmo]

I'd save emails that showed what title you used in the firm…I'd try and show evidence of work product requests…

[ayusdream]

Thank you for all your reply. I am from California, and my Boss stated because I am working part-time now, not a full-time employee, so he can not certify me. So basically, he said that, after I pass all 4 exams, then count from that time, work a full year full time, then he will certify me.

I worked for my boss for 5 years and never gotten a raise and he is still so stingy about certifying a former hardworking employee.

This firm is very small, only 6 people including me, and the boss is the owner and only CPA in the firm. We do not have a website nor do advertisement because we can hardly handle the volume of the business. I thought I went back to help him out, and maybe he is nice enough and will certify me.

I have read that, the W2 is not a proof to certify a person's qualification to become a CPA, that is why it is required a CPA to certify the person. I am sure if I protest to the board, he will write something bad about me on the form.

I guess either way, I will need to find another job, the one year is such a long time, and I wasted my last 5 year working there making a little bit more than minimum wage. That is why I am a little desperate and want to get certified asap and make a little bit more money to support my family. I guess I need to postponed my plan to another year or 2…

[Bourne]

A lot of states will allow part time work. It's just part time, so some states make you have two years of part time experience rather than one full time. He should still be able to sign off for you. I'd be looking for a new job asap

[Anonymous]

Your boss seems to be making up his own rules. You don't need accounting experience to count after your exams. I have been an accountant for 15 years, and my boss will surely note that in my experience verification form. I am no less of an accountant for not having been a CPA before taking the test. Maybe you need to give him the state board information so he stops being a jerk about it. I agree with everyone who say looking for another job is best.

[Recked]

NYS has an allowance for part time. 20 hours a week = 2weeks part = 1 week full time (35 hours a week)
When you worked there for 5 years, were you full time or part time?
Does CA allow credit for part time experience?

Answer those 2 questions and I will provide some advice to you.
If he is going to extort or black mail you, then your options are somewhat limited but you will need to resort to his level to achieve your goal.
Phase 1 is to document a paper trail of his unethical or otherwise illegal actions. You can meet your goals far faster if you play this close to the chest and operate from inside the organization.
Everyone has an Achilles heel. If you have the proper leverage you will have the upper hand and he cannot extort you.

[Recked]

You need to call the…

[atrain531]

Look at the “Certificate of General Experience (Public Accounting)” form. Link: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/gexp-pub.pdf .

It specifically states that the form must be completed, “Upon the applicant’s request. Failure to submit the Certificate of
General Experience – Public Accounting is viewed by the Board as an
attempt to impede the applicant’s certification and may result in
disciplinary action. ”

As for your part time experience, there is a part on the form that SPECIFICALLY mentions part-time dates as well as TOTAL part time hours…

[ultrarunner]

I am from CA. You could report this to CBA. It is unlawful that your boss is acting like this. It is clearly an ethical violation. Your previous 5-year experience should qualify. As long as you pass the exams within 5 years of the form, you should have no problem of getting the license. Please ask him to sign your form now. If he refuses, then, report it to CBA. Once he signs the form, please leave the firm and find a new employer. Good luck.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Stilgoin]

Contact your board. Tennessee allows for part-time experience if the 2000 hours required is obtained within 3 years. Good luck!

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Author]

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